Department of European Languages and Cultures

Foundation 3 (CEFR: A2)

Descriptors providing an indication of the passive and productive abilities of students passing Foundation 3.

‘Can do’ statements

The following descriptors provide an indication of the passive and productive abilities of students passing this course.

Students passing at grade: Will meet these criteria:
A almost all of the time
B most of the time
C regularly
D some of the time

Listening Comprehension

  • Understand enough of what people say to meet immediate needs, provided they speak slowly and clearly.
  • Generally identify changes in the topic of discussion around me, which is conducted slowly and clearly.
  • Understand short, simple stories when told clearly and slowly.
  • Follow the main points of TV news, if people talk slowly and clearly, if familiar with the subject and the images help to understand the story.

Reading Comprehension

  • Understand short, simple texts on familiar subjects, which consist of high-frequency, everyday or job-related language.
  • Use reference books to find what I want and understand the most important pieces of information, eg. price, size, power.
  • Understand instructions expressed in simple language.
  • Understand short, everyday stories about familiar subjects if the text is written in simple language.

Spoken

  • Have short conversations with friends and ask and answer simple questions about familiar topics, in the present or the past.
  • Ask for and give opinions, agree and disagree in a simple way.
  • Give and follow simple instructions, eg. explain how to get somewhere.
  • Handle most everyday situations, eg. shopping, eating out, and checking travel times

Written

  • Write about his/her everyday life in simple sentences.
  • Write very short, basic descriptions of past activities and personal experiences or events.
  • Complete a simple questionnaire or standardised report using short sentences.
  • Write messages, short letters and e-mails making arrangements or giving reasons for changing them.