Path to Proficiency | National Technical Institute for the Deaf

What is my proficiency and how can I level up?

Proficiency shows what you can consistently do in real-world conversations. The statements below describe the language functions you can perform and text type (words, phrases, sentences, paragraphs) you can handle. Review them carefully, reflect on where you are now, and use the Level-Up strategies to set goals for reaching the next level.

Words

Novice Low

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, facial expressions, or visuals.
I can express some basic needs related to very familiar activities, using practiced or memorized words and phrases, with the help of gestures, facial expressions, or visuals.
I can express basic preferences or feelings on very familiar topics, using practiced or memorized words and phrases, with the help of gestures, facial expressions, or visuals.

LEVEL UP

Combine words and phrases into sentences
Practice asking questions
Continue learning new words and phrases

Phrases

Novice Mid

I can request and provide information by asking and answering simple questions on both very familiar and everyday topics, using a mix of practiced or memorized words, phrases, and simple sentences.
I can express and ask about basic needs related to familiar and everyday activities, using a mix of practiced or memorized words, phrases, simple sentences, and questions.
I can express and ask about feelings and react to those of others on both very familiar and everyday topics, using a mix of practiced or memorized words, phrases, simple sentences, and questions.

LEVEL UP

Combine words and phrases into sentences
Practice asking questions
Continue learning new words and phrases

Chunked Phrases

Novice High

I can request and provide information by asking and answering practiced and some original questions on familiar and everyday topics, using simple sentences most of the time.
I can begin to interact with others to meet my basic needs related to routine activities, using simple sentences and questions most of the time.
I can express and react to preferences and opinions on both familiar and everyday topics, using simple sentences most of the time and asking questions to keep the conversation on topic.

LEVEL UP

Combine words and phrases into sentences
Practice asking questions
Continue learning new words and phrases

Simple Sentences

Intermediate Low

I can exchange information on familiar topics and topics of interest, creating simple sentences and appropriate follow-up questions.
I can interact with others to meet my basic needs in familiar situations, creating simple sentences and appropriate follow-up questions.
I can express and react to preferences and opinions with some details on familiar topics and topics of interest, creating simple sentences and appropriate follow-up questions.

LEVEL UP

Sign in more complete sentences
Maintain conversation by asking questions
Learn more words and add them to sentences
Practice circumlocution
Discuss events in present, future, and past

Some Series of Sentences

Intermediate Mid

I can exchange information on familiar topics and some researched topics, creating sentences and some series of sentences to ask and answer a variety of follow-up questions.
I can interact with others to meet my needs in a variety of familiar situations, creating sentences and some series of sentences to ask and answer a variety of follow-up questions.
I can exchange preferences and opinions on familiar topics and some researched topics, creating sentences and some series of sentences to ask and answer a variety of follow-up questions.

LEVEL UP

Sign in more complete sentences
Maintain conversation by asking questions
Learn more words and add them to sentences
Practice circumlocution
Discuss events in present, future, and past

Series of Sentences

Intermediate High

I can exchange information, often across various time frames, on a variety of familiar and researched topics, creating series of sentences to ask and answer a variety of questions.
I can interact with others, often across various time frames, to meet my needs in a variety of situations, sometimes involving a complication, creating series of sentences to ask and answer a variety of questions.
I can explain preferences and opinions, often across various time frames, on a variety of familiar and researched topics, creating series of sentences to ask and answer a variety of questions.

LEVEL UP

Sign in more complete sentences
Maintain conversation by asking questions
Learn more words and add them to sentences
Practice circumlocution
Discuss events in present, future, and past

Series of Connected Sentences

Advanced

I can exchange and discuss information and ideas across various time frames on a variety of familiar and some unfamiliar topics, using series of connected sentences to ask and answer a variety of questions.
I can interact and negotiate across various time frames to resolve an unexpected complication in a familiar situation, using series of connected sentences to ask and answer a variety of questions.
I can maintain conversations across various time frames by explaining and comparing preferences and opinions on a variety of familiar and some unfamiliar topics, using series of connected sentences to ask and answer a variety of questions.

LEVEL UP

Work on supporting opinions
Try to hesitate less while signing
Add details to explain and clarify meaning
Practice discussing more abstract topics
Use circumlocution to communicate words that are not known

Adapted with permission from Joshua Cabral, World Language Classroom.