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Proficiency Scales
What is a proficiency scale? A proficiency scale is a set of descriptions of what you can do in a language. Each level in the scale describes a stage in your development of competence. Proficiency scales are beneficial when setting language learning goals, or evaluating your progress. Proficiency scales are useful in the following ways: to decide what to aim for to know when you achieve your goals. In 1982 the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) set out to develop a scale compatible with the FSI scale. The scale describes all four language skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) and has more divisions in the lower levels. It was better defined in 1986 and that is the scale used for reference here. The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) has developed a five level language proficiency scale. At the beginning, those tests were prepared for the diplomatic corps, then they were later used by other US government agencies. The test is now referred to as the Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) scale. The scale goes from level 0 (no proficiency) to level 5 (mother tongue). What are the drawbacks of ILR (or FSI) scale?
- It tests one skill only, which is speaking. It does not test other skills such as listening, reading and writing.
- There are only 5 steps on the scale and the steps are not of an equal size. As an example, it takes a shorter period of time to move from level 0 to 1 than from level 1 to 2.
- More divisions are needed for lower levels. Level 3 is considered as the uppermost level that learners of a Foreign Language can achieve. That level implies a solid working proficiency. Hence, more divisions within the first three levels are needed.