BENCHMARKS – 8TH-9TH

READING:

1) I can read with a large degree of independence.

2) I can read most books and short stories with little difficulty after getting used to the writer’s style.

3) I can read articles and readily grasp the essential meaning.

4) I can scan quickly through long texts/articles and locate relevant details.

5) I can evaluate and synthesize ideas or solutions to a problem after extracting information from several sources.

LISTENING:

1) I can understand standard spoken language while coping with diverse accents slang and idiomatic expressions.

2) I can follow discussions about debatable issues.

3) I can understand recordings in standard dialect encountered in social and academic contexts.

4) I can interpret a speaker´s viewpoints and attitudes as well as extract most relevant pieces of information.

5) I can understand documentaries, live interviews, talk shows, plays and movies in standard dialect.

SPEAKING:

1) I can actively take part in discussions about familiar topics while sustaining my views, ideas and opinions.

2) I can present and respond to complex lines of argument convincingly.

3) I can contribute to discussion while evaluating alternative proposals or outcomes.

4) I can demonstrate responsibleness, active listening, and support applied to generating ideas for team-based activities.

5) I can give a clear, systematically developed presentations while highlighting significant points and relevant details.

6) I can answer to a series of follow up questions with a degree of fluency and spontaneity.

WRITING:

1) I can write informal letters conveying degrees of emotion and highlighting the personal significance of events and
experiences.

2) I can clearly outline an issue or problem, weighing the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches.

3) I can extract and synthesize relevant information and arguments from several sources.

4) I can write clear, detailed texts on a variety of subjects.

5) I can write clear, detailed descriptions of real or imaginary events and experiences while following established
conventions of the genre concerned.

6) I can write an argumentative essay with appropriate highlighting of significant points and relevant supporting details.
What do I want my students to achieve? 8th grade

1) Summarize a wide range of factual and fictional texts while extracting and commenting the most relevant
pieces of information.

2) Read with a large degree of independence, adapting style and speed of reading to different texts and
purposes. Students have a broad and active reading vocabulary but may experience some difficulty
understanding certain idiomatic expressions.

3) Develop clear and organized written productions, express viewpoints, creativity, and argumentation while
applying complex sentence structures. Effectively use a variety of linking words to show relationships between
ideas.

4) Apply effectively both persuasive and formal language with the intent of selling ideas, products, or services
in a variety of contexts (written and verbal).

5) Distinguish and produce unfamiliar sounds, intonations, and rhythms (meters and patterns) to improve
overall pronunciation.

6) Demonstrate a wide range of vocabulary, synonyms and formulations connected to the topics at hand.
Correct application of grammar, spelling and punctuation properly.

7) Capability to initiate, maintain and close a face-to-face conversation on familiar topics.

8) Understand standard spoken language, live or broadcast, on both familiar and unfamiliar topics normally
encountered in personal, social, academic or vocational life. Can follow extended speech and complex lines of
argument provided the topic is reasonably familiar.