The NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do Statements are the result of collaboration between the National Council of State Supervisors for Languages (NCSSFL) and the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) guide:
- Language learners to identify and set learning goals and chart their progress towards language and intercultural proficiency;
- Educators to write communication learning targets for curriculum, unit and lesson plans;
- Stakeholders to clarify how well learners at different stages can communicate.
This is a self evaluation of your progress/proficiency. Next to each sentence provided, insert/place checkmark symbol to indicate what best describes your proficiency of that statement: “This is my goal”, “I can do this with help”, I can do this consistently”, “I have provided evidence to demonstrate this”. Proficiency levels may vary from one sentence to another. Each semester you will adjust the checkmarks to indicate your progress.
In order to complete these evaluations, you will need to download each of the PDFs included and edit in a PDF editing program, such as Adobe Acrobat. Each semester, you will update this page by embedding your updated PDF (removing older versions as your progress).
NOVICE LOW
| Novice Benchmark Interpretive Listening or Viewing I can identify the general topic and some basic information in both very familiar and everyday contexts by recognizing practiced or memorized words, phrases and simple sentences in texts that are spoken, written or signed. | This is my goal. | I can do this with help. | I can do this consistently. | I have provided evidence to demonstrate this. |
| What can I understand or interpret in authentic informational texts that I hear or view? | ||||
| I can identify memorized or familiar words when they are supported by gestures or visuals in informational texts. Examples I can_________________ I can recognize familiar names of people and places in a public announcement.I can understand simple directions to a familiar place.I can follow instructions for simple class routines.I can understand names and titles when speakers are introduced.I can understand a cell phone number. | X | |||
| What can I understand or interpret in authentic fictional texts that I hear or view? | ||||
| I can identify memorized or familiar words when they are supported by gestures or visuals in fictional texts. Examples I can_________________ I can recognize a few individual words of a read-aloud story.I can recognize a few individual words in a read-aloud poem.I can recognize a character’s name in a folk tale.I can recognize common opening and closing words in oral storytelling.I can recognize a few familiar words from a music video. | X | |||
| What can I understand or interpret in conversations or discussions that I hear or view, in which I am not a participant? | ||||
| I can understand memorized or familiar words when they are supported by gestures or visuals in conversations. Examples I can_________________ I can recognize when greetings and leave-taking are expressed.I can recognize people’s names and their titles when they are introduced. I can recognize a few individual question words in a conversation among visitors in school.I can recognize familiar names of places discussed on a tour.I can understand simple words of praise by a teacher to a student. | X |
NOVICE LOW
| Novice Benchmark Interpretive Reading I can identify the general topic and some basic information in both very familiar and everyday contexts by recognizing practiced or memorized words, phrases and simple sentences in texts that are spoken, written or signed. | This is my goal. | I can do this with help. | I can do this consistently. | I have provided evidence to demonstrate this. |
| What can I understand or interpret in authentic informational texts that I read? | ||||
| I can identify memorized or familiar words when they are supported by visuals in informational texts. Examples I can_________________ I can identify some locations or stores by their signs.I can match a word or character in a headline to a related visual.I can recognize some names of cities on a map.I can identify labeled aisles in a store.I can recognize the labels on a recycling bin. | X | |||
| What can I understand or interpret in authentic fictional texts that I read? | ||||
| I can identify memorized or familiar words when they are supported by visuals in fictional texts. Examples I can_________________ I can recognize a few individual words in the title of a story.I can recognize a few individual words in a picture book.I can recognize a few individual words in a poem.I can recognize a characters’ name in a folk tale.I can recognize common opening and closing words of a fairy tale. | X | |||
| What can I understand or interpret in conversations or discussions that I read, in which I am not a participant? | ||||
| I can identify memorized or familiar words when they are supported by visuals in conversations. Examples I can_________________I can recognize names and titles in an email introduction.I can recognize familiar place names in a brochure. I can recognize greetings and leave taking words in an email.I can recognize salutation words in a business letter. I can recognize question words in a text message. | X |
NOVICE LOW
| Novice Benchmark Interpersonal Listening/Speaking or Signing I can communicate in spontaneous spoken, written or signed conversations on both very familiar and everyday topics, using a variety of practiced or memorized words, phrases, simple sentences and questions. | This is my goal. | I can do this with help. | I can do this consistently. | I have provided evidence to demonstrate this. |
| How can I exchange information and ideas in conversations? | ||||
| I can provide information by answering a few simple questions on very familiar topics, using practiced or memorized words and phrases, with the help of gestures or visuals. Examples I can_________________ I can introduce myself when I meet people.I can answer questions about who is in my family.I can answer questions about my favorite weekend activities.I can respond to a basic math question using numbers.I can respond when asked to name the style of music I am playing. | X | |||
| How can I meet my needs in conversations? | ||||
| I can express some basic needs, using practiced or memorized words and phrases, with the help of gestures or visuals. Examples I can_________________ I can tell someone my name.I can greet and take leave in a polite way.I can tell the customs official which countries I visited.I can tell someone if I understand him/her.I can say how much money I need to pay for my lunch. | X | |||
| How can I express and react to preferences and opinions in conversations? | ||||
| I can express basic preferences or feelings, using practiced or memorized words and phrases, with the help of gestures or visuals. Examples I can_________________ I can say if I feel well, so-so or sick.I can identify my favorite people, places or things from a list. I can say what sport I play.I can say what food I like or dislike.I can say if I agree with someone about basic preferences. | X |
NOVICE LOW
| Novice Benchmark Interpersonal Reading/Writing I can communicate in spontaneous spoken, written or signed conversations on both very familiar and everyday topics, using a variety of practiced or memorized words, phrases, simple sentences and questions. | This is my goal. | I can do this with help. | I can do this consistently. | I have provided evidence to demonstrate this. |
| How can I exchange information and ideas in conversations? | ||||
| I can provide information by answering a few simple questions on very familiar topics, using practiced or memorized words and phrases, with the help of gestures or visuals. Examples I can_________________ I can respond to personal questions such as my name, age or family in an online forum.I can fill out an online form to provide my class schedule.I can fill in a chat box by answering who, what, where or when questions.I can text a friend the time and day we plan to meet.I can respond to a text message that asks where I am going. | X | |||
| How can I meet my needs in conversations? | ||||
| I can express some basic needs, using practiced or memorized words and phrases, with the help of gestures or visuals. Examples I can_________________ I can introduce myself on an online site.I can enter a word in an online Scrabble game.I can respond with the appropriate greeting to a text message.I can add Happy Birthday to a social media post.I can reply to a message asking the price for a service. | X | |||
| How can I express and react to preferences and opinions in conversations? | ||||
| I can express basic preferences or feelings, using practiced or memorized words and phrases, with the help of gestures or visuals. Examples I can_________________ I can respond to a social media post asking about best restaurants or best sports teams. indicating approval or disapproval I can text my friend about where I prefer to meet and when. I can text someone what I prefer for dinner tonight. I can choose my preference for clothing brands in an online survey.I can complete a simple survey about what I like and don’t like about a store or service. | X |
NOVICE LOW
| Novice Benchmark Presentational Speaking or Signing I can present information on both very familiar and everyday topics using a variety of practiced or memorized words, phrases and simple sentences through spoken, written or signed language. | This is my goal. | I can do this with help. | I can do this consistently. | I have provided evidence to demonstrate this. |
| How can I present information to narrate about my life, experiences and events? | ||||
| I can introduce myself using practiced or memorized words and phrases, with the help of gestures or visuals. Examples I can_________________ I can say my name, age and where I live to introduce myself.I can say my phone number, home address and email address.I can say some activities I do every day.I can tell the names of places I go on the weekend.I can state my physical or personality traits. | X | |||
| How can I present information to give a preference or opinion? | ||||
| I can express my likes and dislikes using practiced or memorized words and phrases, with the help of gestures or visuals. Examples I can_________________ I can list places I like to go to see art or listen to music.I can tell sports I like or don’t like.I can say names of my favorite animals based on pictures I see.I can look at pictures on a menu and name foods based on my likes and dislikes.I can state some activities that I enjoy. | X | |||
| How can I present information to inform or describe? | ||||
| I can name very familiar people, places and objects, using practiced or memorized words and phrases, with the help of gestures or visuals. Examples I can_________________ I can name items I see every day.I can say numbers from 1 – 10. I can say the date and the day of the week.I can name some countries on a map when planning a trip. I can name some famous landmarks and people. | X |
NOVICE LOW
| Novice Benchmark Presentational Writing I can present information on both very familiar and everyday topics using a variety of practiced or memorized words, phrases and simple sentences through spoken, written or signed language. | This is my goal. | I can do this with help. | I can do this consistently. | I have provided evidence to demonstrate this. |
| How can I present information to narrate about my life, experiences and events? | ||||
| I can introduce myself using practiced or memorized words and phrases, with the help of gestures or visuals. Examples I can_________________ I can write my name, age and where I live on a simple form.I can write my phone number, home address and email address on a simple form.I can write how I’m feeling in a short journal entry. I can write a list of what I need to pack for an upcoming trip.I can write a shopping list of what I need to buy. | X | |||
| How can I present information to give a preference or opinion? | ||||
| I can express my likes and dislikes using practiced or memorized words and phrases, with the help of gestures or visuals. Examples I can_________________ I can list places I like to go to see art or listen to music.I can create a simple chart of a few things I like and dislike.I can label the things I like and don’t like in a picture.I can write a list of desirable and undesirable characteristics of a friend.I can list my favorite free-time activities to create a survey for my peers. | X | |||
| How can I present information to inform or describe? | ||||
| I can name very familiar people, places and objects, using practiced or memorized words and phrases, with the help of gestures or visuals. Examples I can_________________ I can list items I see every day.I can fill out a simple form with my name, address, phone number, birth date and nationality. I can label familiar people, places and objects in pictures and posters.I can write the names of places on a map.I can copy a simple phrase like “Happy Birthday,” “Happy Holidays,” etc. | X |