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EMERGING (previously called BEGINNING) CAN-DO DESCRIPTORS

The Can Do Descriptors are a sampling of the language expectations of English language learners as they travel along the continuum of English language development.  These Descriptors for the four language domains—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—and five levels of English language proficiency are based on the WIDA English Language Proficiency Standards. (From WIDA website:  http://www.wida.us/standards/CAN_DOs/ )

LISTENING

  • Follow one-step oral commands/instructions

  • Match social language to visual/graphic displays

  • Identify objects, people, or places from oral statements/questions using gestures (e.g., pointing)

  • Match instructional language with visual representation (e.g., “Use a sharpened pencil.”)

SPEAKING

  • Answer yes/no and choice questions

  • Begin to use general and high frequency vocabulary

  • Repeat words, short phrases, and memorized chunks

  • Answer select WH-questions (e.g., “who,” “what,” “when,” “where”) within context of lessons or personal experiences

READING

  • Associate letters with sounds and objects

  • Match content–related objects/pictures to words

  • Identify common symbols, signs, and words

  • Recognize concepts of print

  • Find single word responses to WH-questions (e.g., “who,” “what,” “when,” “where”) related to illustrated text

  • Use picture dictionaries/illustrated glossaries

  WRITING

  • Draw content-related pictures

  • Produce high frequency words

  • Label pictures and graphs

  • Create vocabulary/concept cards

  • Generate lists from pre-taught words/phrases and word banks (e.g., create menu from list of food groups)

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