TBC ESL Ministry
*Class Level Explanations*

ABC (Low Literacy): [Note: this is a very hard-to-find class anywhere]
• doesn't know or barely knows ABC or numbers
• not able to read
• extremely underconfident in speaking any English (e.g., "Hello.")
• Chinese / English used in class

Beginner:
• knows their ABCs & numbers
• able to say same very basic English phrases and/or greetings (e.g., "Hello.", "My name is ________.", "I am from _______.")
• able to read a little (e.g., ABCs. "My name is Peter Jones. John is my brother. He told me about the English classes.")
• Special note: too high for students that have no knowledge of English (i.e., not for ABC level students)
• Chinese / English used in class

High Beginner:
• able to answer basic questions English phrases and respond to simple greetings (e.g., "What is your name?", "What is your telephone number?", "What is your address is _______?", "Where are you from?", "How long have you been here?")
• able to read a little bit more (e.g., "My name is Peter Jones. John is my brother. He told me about the English classes. I am married. My family lives in Vancouver. My mother lives with us.")
• Chinese / English used in class

Intermediate:
• able to answer moderate questions English phrases and respond to greetings (e.g., "What did you eat for dinner last night?", "What did you buy?", "When did you come to Canada?", "How are you feeling?")
• able to read better (e.g., "Patricia lives in Canada. She lives with her husband and children. She likes to shop in the grocery store. Her family likes fruit, so she buys oranges, apples, bananas, and strawberries. She buys many new things to eat. Her family likes to try Canadian food.")
• Chinese / English used in class

High-Intermediate / Low advanced:
• able to answer to somewhat complex sentences (e.g., "If you could choose a job, what job would you choose and why?", "What do you do on your spare time?").
• able to read fairly well (e.g., I am getting worried about Tom and Betty. I'm afraid something might have happened to them. They should have been home by now. They may have had an accident. But I don't want to jump to conclusions or let my imagination run wild. They are probably just having fun and forgot the time.)
• English only

Advanced:
• able to answer complex questions (e.g., "If your English became perfect, what would happen to your life? Why?")
• able to discuss current events (e.g., COVID-19)
• able to read well (i.e., somewhat able to read newspapers)
• English only

High Advanced:
• able to converse in English fluently
• reading & discussing current events from English newspapers (e.g., Vancouver Sun)
• discussing other popular topics (e.g., school system, politics, food)
• English only

Back to top | Close This Window