ADULT LEARNERS – THE GLOBAL SCALE OF ENGLISH IN ACTION

Listening
The Global Scale of English is transforming English teaching and learning, offering
a granular, real-world measure of English language proficiency across the four skills. ​
Some examples of what a learner can do in Listening on the GSE scale:

+ + +
CEFR <A1 A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2
GSE
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

23 39 57 74

Can understand short, Can generally identify the Can follow most of Can follow an animated
simple instructions topic of discussion around a clearly structured conversation between
addressed carefully them when conducted presentation within two fluent speakers
and slowly slowly and clearly their own field

27 52 65 88

Can understand a phone
number from a recorded
message
Can follow many films in
which visuals and action
carry much of the storyline
Can extract the main Can understand in detail
points from news discussions on abstract
items, etc. with opinions, and complex topics
arguments and discussion among speakers with a
variety of accents and
dialects

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 ADULT LEARNERS – THE GLOBAL SCALE OF ENGLISH IN ACTION

Reading
The Global Scale of English is transforming English teaching and learning, offering
a granular, real-world measure of English language proficiency across the four skills. ​
Some examples of what a learner can do in Reading on the GSE scale:

+ + +
CEFR <A1 A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2
GSE
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

12 43 58 79

Can read and understand Can understand simple Can recognise the Can understand complex
simple prices technical information writer’s point of view in a arguments in newspaper
(e.g. instructions for structured text articles
everyday equipment)

27 49 67 87

Can understand short Can identify the main Can recognise the Can understand highly
written notices, signs topic and related ideas in repetition of ideas colloquial language in
and instructions with a structured text expressed by substitution, unstructured texts that
visual support paraphrasing, etc use complex structures

Learn more at English.com/gse

 ADULT LEARNERS – THE GLOBAL SCALE OF ENGLISH IN ACTION

Speaking
The Global Scale of English is transforming English teaching and learning, offering
a granular, real-world measure of English language proficiency across the four skills. ​
Some examples of what a learner can do in Speaking on the GSE scale:

+ + +
CEFR <A1 A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2
GSE
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

22 42 61 72

Can tell the time of day Can give a short basic Can engage in extended Can carry out an effective,
to within five minutes description of events conversation in a clearly fluent interview,
and activities participatory fashion on spontaneously following
most general topics up on interesting replies

34 52 67 81

Can say what they like Can repeat back what
and dislike is said to confirm
understanding and keep
a discussion on course
Can adjust to the Can join a conversation
changes of direction, already in progress
style and emphasis between fluent speakers
normally found in on complex topics
conversation

Learn more at English.com/gse

 ADULT LEARNERS – THE GLOBAL SCALE OF ENGLISH IN ACTION

Writing
The Global Scale of English is transforming English teaching and learning, offering
a granular, real-world measure of English language proficiency across the four skills. ​
Some examples of what a learner can do in Writing on the GSE scale:

+ + +
CEFR <A1 A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2
GSE
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

10 31 46 59 74

Can write the letters Can use very basic Can write a description Can write a formal Can write a detailed
of the alphabet in upper connectors like and, but, of a future event or email/letter of thanks or description of a complex
and lower case so and then activity apology with appropriate process
conventions

26 36 52 65 77

Can use basic Can make simple Can summarise the main Can write a letter Can write a detailed
punctuation comparisons between message from simple of complaint with critical review of cultural
(e.g. commas, full stops, people, places diagrams (e.g. graphs, appropriate register, events
question marks) or things bar charts) structure and conventions (e.g. plays, films, concerts)
or literary works

Learn more at English.com/gse