CEFR Guide

Level 1

Touchstone 1
Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

Contents

Part 1 The Level of Touchstone 1 2

Part 2 Selection of Scales from the CEFR 3

Part 3 How the Goals of the CEFR Are Realized

in Touchstone 1 4

Part 4 How Each Unit of Touchstone 1 Relates to the CEFR 7

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 CEFR Guide
Level 1

Part 1 The Level of Touchstone 1

Touchstone 1 covers level A1 of the CEFR. This table describes the general
degree of skill achieved by learners at this level.

Skill The learner will be able to:

Speaking use simple phrases and sentences to describe where he/she lives and people he/she knows.

interact in a simple way, provided the other person is prepared to repeat or rephrase things at
a slower rate of speech and help him/her formulate what he/she is trying to say.

ask and answer simple questions in areas of immediate need or on very familiar topics.

Writing write simple isolated phrases and sentences.

write a short, simple postcard, for example, sending holiday greetings.

fill in forms with personal details, for example, entering his/her name, nationality, and address
on a hotel registration form.

Listening and recognize familiar words and very basic phrases concerning him/herself, his/her family, and
Reading immediate concrete surroundings when people speak slowly and clearly.

understand familiar names, words, and very simple sentences, for example, on notices and
posters or in catalogs.

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 CEFR Guide
Level 1

Part 2 Selection of Scales from the CEFR

Touchstone 1 aims to enable learners to achieve goals from the following

scales of the CEFR:

Speaking
Describing experience
Conversing
transactions to obtain goods and services
information exchange
Interviewing and being interviewed

Writing
Overall written production
Creative writing
Overall written interaction
Correspondence
Notes, messages, and forms

Listening and Reading

Overall listening comprehension
Overall reading comprehension
Reading for orientation
Reading for information and argument

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 CEFR Guide CEFR Guide
Level 1 Level 1

Part 3 How the Goals of the CEFR Are Realized in Touchstone 1

Speaking
The learner will be able to: Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4 Unit 5 Unit 6 Unit 7 Unit 8 Unit 9 Unit 10 Unit 11 Unit 12
describe him/herself, what he/ 4A 5A 6A 7A 8A 9A 10A 11A 12A
she does, and where he/she lives. 4B 5B 7B 9B 10B 11B 12C
(Describing experience A1) 4C 5C 7C 11C
4D 11D
make an introduction and use 1A
basic greeting and leave-taking 1D
expressions. (Conversation A1)
ask how people are and react to 1A 7C 10C
news. (Conversation A1) 1D
ask people for things and give 8B 12B
people things (Cooperation / 8C
Transactions A1)
handle numbers, quantities, cost, 1C 3C 6B 8B
and time. (Transactions A1)
ask and answer simple questions 1B 2B 3A 5B 6A 9A
and initiate and respond to simple 2C 5C 6B 9C
statements in areas of immediate 2D 6C 9D
need or on very familiar topics.
(Information exchange A1)
ask and answer questions about 1B 2A 3B 4B 5A 7B 8A 9B 10B 11A 12A
him/herself and other people: 1C 2B 3C 4C 5B 7C 8D 9C 10C 11B 12C
where they live, people they know 1D 3D 5C 11C 12D
and things they have. (Information
exchange A1)
indicate time by such phrases as 6B
next week, last Friday, in
November, three oclock.
(Information exchange A1)
reply in an interview to simple, 1B 3D
direct questions - spoken very slowly
and clearly in direct, non-idiomatic
speech - about personal details.
(Interviews A1)

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 CEFR Guide CEFR Guide
Level 1 Level 1

Writing
The learners will be able to: Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4 Unit 5 Unit 6 Unit 7 Unit 8 Unit 9 Unit 10 Unit 11 Unit 12
write simple, isolated phrases and 4D 5D 6D 7D 8D 9D 10D 11D 12D
sentences. (Overall production A1)
write simple phrases and sentences 4D 5D 8D 10D 11D 12D
about him/herself and imaginary
people, where they live, and what
they do. (Creative writing A1)
ask for or pass on personal details in 1C
written form. (Overall interaction
A1)
write a short, simple email. * 4D 5D
(Correspondence A1)
write numbers and dates, own name, 1C
nationality, address, age, date of birth
or arrival in the country, etc. (such as
on a hotel registration form). (Notes,
messages and forms A1)

* This is an update of the original goal wording, which refers to postcards.

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Level 1 Level 1

Listening and Reading

The learner will be able to: Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4 Unit 5 Unit 6 Unit 7 Unit 8 Unit 9 Unit 10 Unit 11 Unit 12
follow speech that is very slow and 1C 2A 3D 4C 5C 6B 7C 8C 9B 10C 11C 12C
carefully articulated, with long pauses 4D 5D 6C 7D 8D 9C 10D 11D 12D
for him/her to assimilate meaning.
(Overall listening comprehension
A1)
understand very short, simple texts 4D 5D 6D 7D 8D 9D 10D 11D 12D
a single phrase at a time, picking
up familiar names, words, and basic
phrases and re-reading as required.
(Overall reading comprehension
A1)
recognize familiar names, words, 6D 12D
and very basic phrases on simple
notices in the most common
everyday situations. (Reading for
orientation A1)
get an idea of the content of simpler 4D 5D 7D 8D 9D 10D 11D
informational material and short,
simple descriptions, especially if
there is visual support. (Reading for
information and argument A1)

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 CEFR Guide
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Part 4 How Each Unit of 1 Relates to the CEFR

Unit 1

Skills Area Goal Lesson

Speaking Make an introduction and use basic greeting and leave-taking expressions A, D
(Conversation A1)
Ask how people are and react to news (Conversation A1) A, D
Handle numbers, quantities, cost, and time (Transactions A1) C

Ask and answer simple questions and initiate and respond to simple B
statements in areas of immediate need or on very familiar topics
(Information exchange A1)

Ask and answer questions about him/herself and other people: where B, C, D
they live, people they know, and things they have (Information exchange
A1)
Reply in an interview to simple, direct questions - spoken very slowly and B
clearly in direct, non-idiomatic speech - about personal details (Interviews
A1)
Writing Ask for or pass on personal details in written form (Overall interaction A1) C

Write numbers and dates, own name, nationality, address, age, date of C
birth or arrival in the country, etc. (such as on a hotel registration form)
(Notes, messages, and forms A1)

Listening and Follow speech that is very slow and carefully articulated, with long pauses C
Reading for him/her to assimilate meaning (Overall listening comprehension A1)

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 CEFR Guide
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Unit 2

Skills Area Goal Lesson

Speaking Ask and answer simple questions and initiate and respond to simple B, C, D
statements in areas of immediate need or on very familiar topics
(Information exchange A1)
Ask and answer questions about him/herself and other people: where A, B
they live, people they know, and things they have (Information exchange
A1)
Listening and Follow speech that is very slow and carefully articulated, with long pauses A
Reading for him/her to assimilate meaning (Overall listening comprehension A1)

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 CEFR Guide
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Unit 3

Skills Area Goal Lesson

Speaking Handle numbers, quantities, cost, and time (Transactions A1) C
Ask and answer simple questions, initiate and respond to simple A
statements in areas of immediate need or on very familiar topics
(Information exchange A1)
Ask and answer questions about him/herself and other people: where B, C, D
they live, people they know, and things they have (Information exchange
A1)
Reply in an interview to simple, direct questions - spoken very slowly and D
clearly in direct, non-idiomatic speech - about personal details (Interviews
A1)
Listening and Follow speech that is very slow and carefully articulated, with long pauses D
Reading for him/her to assimilate meaning (Overall listening comprehension A1)

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 CEFR Guide
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Unit 4

Skills Area Goal Lesson

Speaking Describe him/herself, what he/she does, and where he/she lives A, B, C, D
(Describing experience A1)
Ask and answer questions about him/herself and other people: where B, C
they live, people they know, and things they have (Information exchange
A1)
Writing Write simple, isolated phrases and sentences (Overall production A1) D
Write simple phrases and sentences about him/herself and imaginary D
people, where they live, and what they do (Creative writing A1)
Write a short, simple email (Correspondence A1) D
Listening and Follow speech that is very slow and carefully articulated, with long pauses C, D
Reading for him/her to assimilate meaning (Overall listening comprehension A1)
Understand very short, simple texts a single phrase at a time, picking D
up familiar names, words, and basic phrases and re-reading as required
(Overall reading comprehension A1)
Get an idea of the content of simpler informational material and short D
simple descriptions, especially if there is visual support (Reading for
information and argument A1)

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 CEFR Guide
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Unit 5

Skills Area Goal Lesson

Speaking Describe him/herself, what he/she does, and where he/she lives A, B, C
(Describing experience A1)
Ask and answer simple questions and initiate and respond to simple B, C
statements in areas of immediate need or on very familiar topics
(Information exchange A1)
Ask and answer questions about him/herself and other people: where A, B, C
they live, people they know, and things they have (Information exchange
A1)
Writing Write simple, isolated phrases and sentences (Overall production A1) D
Write simple phrases and sentences about him/herself and imaginary D
people, where they live, and what they do (Creative writing A1)
Write a short, simple email (Correspondence A1) D
Listening and Follow speech that is very slow and carefully articulated, with long pauses C, D
Reading for him/her to assimilate meaning (Overall listening comprehension A1)
Understand very short, simple texts a single phrase at a time, picking D
up familiar names, words, and basic phrases and re-reading as required
(Overall reading comprehension A1)
Get an idea of the content of simpler informational material and short D
simple descriptions, especially if there is visual support (Reading for
information and argument A1)

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 CEFR Guide
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Unit 6

Skills Area Goal Lesson

Speaking Describe him/herself, what he/she does, and where he/she lives A
(Describing experience A1)
Handle numbers, quantities, cost, and time (Transactions A1) B
Ask and answer simple questions and initiate and respond to simple A, B, C
statements in areas of immediate need or on very familiar topics
(Information exchange A1)
Indicate time by such phrases as next week, last Friday, in B
November, three oclock (Information exchange A1)
Writing Write simple, isolated phrases and sentences (Overall production A1) D
Listening and Follow speech that is very slow and carefully articulated, with long pauses B, C
Reading for him/her to assimilate meaning (Overall listening comprehension A1)
Understand very short, simple texts a single phrase at a time, picking D
up familiar names, words, and basic phrases and re-reading as required
(Overall reading comprehension A1)
Recognize familiar names, words, and very basic phrases on simple notices D
in the most common everyday situations (Reading for orientation A1)

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 CEFR Guide
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Unit 7

Skills Area Goal Lesson

Speaking Describe him/herself, what he/she does, and where he/she lives A, B, C
(Describing experience A1)
Ask how people are and react to news (Conversation A1) C
Ask and answer questions about him/herself and other people: where B, C
they live, people they know, and things they have (Information exchange
A1)
Writing Write simple, isolated phrases and sentences (Overall production A1) D
Listening and Follow speech that is very slow and carefully articulated, with long pauses C, D
Reading for him/her to assimilate meaning (Overall listening comprehension A1)
Understand very short, simple texts a single phrase at a time, picking D
up familiar names, words, and basic phrases and re-reading as required
(Overall reading comprehension A1)
Get an idea of the content of simpler informational material and short D
simple descriptions, especially if there is visual support (Reading for
information and argument A1)

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Unit 8

Skills Area Goal Lesson

Speaking Describe him/herself, what he/she does, and where he/she lives A
(Describing experience A1)
Ask people for things and give people things (Cooperation Transactions B, C
A1)
Handle numbers, quantities, cost, and time (Transactions A1) B
Ask and answer questions about him/herself and other people: where A, D
they live, people they know, and things they have (Information exchange
A1)
Writing Write simple, isolated phrases and sentences (Overall production A1) D
Write simple phrases and sentences about him/herself and imaginary D
people, where they live, and what they do (Creative writing A1)
Listening and Follow speech that is very slow and carefully articulated, with long pauses C, D
Reading for him/her to assimilate meaning (Overall listening comprehension A1)
Understand very short, simple texts a single phrase at a time, picking D
up familiar names, words, and basic phrases and re-reading as required
(Overall reading comprehension A1)
Get an idea of the content of simpler informational material and short D
simple descriptions, especially if there is visual support (Reading for
information and argument A1)

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 CEFR Guide
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Unit 9

Skills Area Goal Lesson

Speaking Describe him/herself, what he/she does, and where he/she lives A, B
(Describing experience A1)
Ask and answer simple questions, and initiate and respond to simple A, C, D
statements in areas of immediate need or on very familiar topics
(Information exchange A1)
Ask and answer questions about him/herself and other people: where B, C
they live, people they know, and things they have (Information exchange
A1)
Writing Write simple, isolated phrases and sentences (Overall production A1) D
Listening and Follow speech that is very slow and carefully articulated, with long pauses B, C
Reading for him/her to assimilate meaning (Overall listening comprehension A1)
Understand very short, simple texts a single phrase at a time, picking D
up familiar names, words, and basic phrases and re-reading as required
(Overall reading comprehension A1)
Get an idea of the content of simpler informational material and short D
simple descriptions, especially if there is visual support (Reading for
information and argument A1)

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 CEFR Guide
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Unit 10

Skills Area Goal Lesson

Speaking Describe him/herself, what he/she does, and where he/she lives (Describing A, B
experience A1)
Ask how people are and react to news (Conversation A1) C
Ask and answer questions about him/herself and other people: where they B, C
live, people they know, and things they have (Information exchange A1)
Writing Write simple, isolated phrases and sentences (Overall production A1) D
Write simple phrases and sentences about him/herself and imaginary D
people, where they live, and what they do (Creative writing A1)
Listening and Follow speech that is very slow and carefully articulated, with long pauses C, D
Reading for him/her to assimilate meaning (Overall listening comprehension A1)
Understand very short, simple texts a single phrase at a time, picking D
up familiar names, words, and basic phrases and re-reading as required
(Overall reading comprehension A1)
Get an idea of the content of simpler informational material and short D
simple descriptions, especially if there is visual support (Reading for
information and argument A1)

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 CEFR Guide
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Unit 11

Skills Area Goal Lesson

Speaking Describe him/herself, what he/she does, and where he/she lives A, B, C, D
(Describing experience A1)
Ask and answer questions about him/herself and other people: where A, B, C
they live, people they know, and things they have (Information exchange
A1)
Writing Write simple isolated phrases and sentences (Overall production A1) D

Write simple phrases and sentences about him/herself and imaginary D

people, where they live, and what they do (Creative writing A1)
Listening and Follow speech that is very slow and carefully articulated, with long pauses C, D
Reading for him/her to assimilate meaning (Overall listening comprehension A1)
Understand very short, simple texts a single phrase at a time, picking D
up familiar names, words, and basic phrases and re-reading as required
(Overall reading comprehension A1)
Get an idea of the content of simpler informational material and short D
simple descriptions, especially if there is visual support (Reading for
information and argument A1)

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Unit 12

Skills Area Goal Lesson

Speaking Describe him/herself, what he/she does, and where he/she lives A, C
(Describing experience A1)
Ask people for things and give people things (Cooperation / Transactions B
A1)
Ask and answer questions about him/herself and other people: where A, C, D
they live, people they know, and things they have (Information exchange
A1)
Writing Write simple, isolated phrases and sentences (Overall production A1) D
Write simple phrases and sentences about him/herself and imaginary D
people, where they live, and what they do (Creative writing A1)
Listening and Follow speech that is very slow and carefully articulated, with long pauses C, D
Reading for him/her to assimilate meaning (Overall listening comprehension A1)
Understand very short, simple texts a single phrase at a time, picking D
up familiar names, words, and basic phrases and re-reading as required
(Overall reading comprehension A1)
Recognize familiar names, words, and very basic phrases on simple notices D
in the most common everyday situations (Reading for orientation A1)

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