HIGH INTERMEDIATE ESL COMPETENCY OUTLINE CASAS Range: 211-220
By the end of this level, learners will have worked on and attained competency in the following areas:
Basic Communication Exhibit situationally appropriate interpersonal skills. Hand shaking Nodding Waving Eye contact Situational politeness
Write using manuscript and cursive handwriting.
Consumer Economics Demonstrate ability to use banking services including ATM machines. Bank, savings and loan, credit union Mortgage, loan, car loan, interest, principal Savings, checking, balance, deposit, withdrawal, payment, check, check stub, check register, reconciling, balancing a checkbook, statement ATM, PIN
Understand comparative shopping, coupons, guarantees, warranties, and return processes. Comparison shop for food, clothing, and other purchases; compare prices, return policies, warranties Read and interpret coupons; compute savings with a coupon Read product warranties and guarantees Read return policies
Read and order from a menu. Serving, portion, children’s menu, senior citizen’s menu, senior citizen’s discount Read and understand food names and descriptions Read prices; understand price does not include tax or tip
Identify means of locating housing. Read rental ads abbreviations—rm, rms, brm, br, bath, bsmt, lr, kit, dr, fp, fr lease, security deposit, cleaning deposit who and how to contact—phone number, address I’d like to see the apartment you have advertised. I’m interested in renting your house/apartment. Could I make an appointment to see it.
Buying a house read newspaper ads realtor, open house
Describe household repair and maintenance problems. Plumber, electrician, roofer, handyman, gardener, plumbing, electricity There is a problem with the --- The --- isn’t working The --- is broken There is no heat There is no water There is no electricity I smell gas The phone is out of order Who do I call for --- problems
Read and react to safety signs and symbols. Caution, slippery when wet, slow, electrical hazard, flammable, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, eye wash station, hard hat required, do not use near water, no smoking, danger, emergency shelter, tornado shelter, poison, Mr. Yuk
Respond to emergency situations. Severe weather—tornado watch or warning, severe thunderstorm watch or warning, blizzard warning, high winds, flood Where to take shelter, emergency broadcast system, warning sirens Emergency preparedness kit What to do if there is a fire at home, school, work What to do if there is a tornado at home, school, work Listening to severe weather reports on the radio and TV
Community Resources Locate alphabetical and topical listing information in yellow and white pages. What are the yellow pages? What are the white pages? White pages—residential listings, business listings Government pages (blue) Find a name in the residential listings use alphabetizing skills Find a business in the white pages using alphabetizing skills Find a business in the yellow pages by using categories
Identify and locate local businesses, governmental and community agencies. Post office, driver’s license station, police station, fire station, high school, elementary school, middle school, playground, library, unemployment office, INS office, immigration office, grocery store, department store, mall, drug store, pharmacy, restaurant, fast food restaurant Locate on a map Describe purpose/use
Ask for and give directions. North, south, east, west, northwest, southwest, northeast, south east, N, E, W, S, NE, NW, SE, SW Street, boulevard, avenue, circle, road, drive Outside, inside, next to, beside Turn left, turn right Could you tell me how to get to --- Where is --- How do I get to --- Where is that?
Read temperatures in Fahrenheit and Celsius; describe weather conditions. Read temperature in Fahrenheit and Celsius; compare Fahrenheit and Celsius temperatures Weather conditions—cold, hot, cool, warm, humid, frosty, snowy, icy, sleet, rain, hail, tornado, thunderstorm, blizzard, windy, foggy, fog, breezy
Identify items necessary for weather emergency preparedness. Shelter, emergency preparedness kit, battery-operated radio, flashlight
Health Identify body parts and the five senses. Body parts—ankle, arm, back, blood, body, chin, eye, foot, hair, head, heart, knee, leg, nails, neck, shoulder, teeth, tongue, voice, wrist Senses—taste, touch/feel, smell, sight, hear
Describe aches, pains, illnesses, injuries, and dental problems. Backache, black and blue, black eye, broken leg, broken, tooth, burn, cut, dislocate, feel dizzy, fever, flu, headache, heart attack, hurt, injure, measles, pain, red spots, sprain, stiff neck, stomachache, swollen knee, toothache, twist an ankle
Read and interpret medical instructions for prescriptions and over-the-counter medications. Take daily, take twice a day, take at meal times, take before bed, take with food, take with water, take on an empty stomach, teaspoon, spoonful, tablet, pill, capsule, dose, dosage, take until gone, reactions, side effects, store in a cool place, store in the refrigerator, store in a dark place, keep away from children, tamper resistant, childproof cap Renew a prescription Over the counter vs. prescriptions Read the instructions on an over the counter medication Age appropriateness When to take When to contact doctor Side effects Uses
Understand concepts of personal hygiene, grooming, and healthy eating. Hygiene and grooming bath, bathing, shower, soap, shampoo, hair brush, comb washing clothes, washing self hand washing
Healthy eating food guide pyramid, serving diet, dieting, watching what you eat vitamins and minerals recommended daily allowance nutrition labels washing dishes safe food preparation
Employment Recognize and use bask work-related vocabulary. Time card, pay check, pay stub, deductions, taxes Union, union dues Insurance, disability, health insurance Job titles Job duties Training, interview, resume, application, skills, experience, occupation Night shift, shift, 3rd shift, 2nd shift, 1st shift, evenings, days, nights, swing shift Boss, employee, employer, supervisor, manager
Prepare a job application and resume. Complete, without assistance, a job application listing personal information, experience, special skills, education history, and references Complete a basic resume, word-processed objective, education, experience, references format, correct grammar, correct spelling
Demonstrate appropriate behavior for a job interview. Respond appropriately to oral interview questions Where do you work now—do you have any special skills—tell me about your experience—what education or training have you had—why do want this job
Respond appropriately to improper interview questions How old are you—are you married—do you have any children—do you plan to get pregnant
Body language and image hand shake, eye contact, posture clothing smoking, gum chewing
Demonstrate understanding of work rules for schedule, time sheets, punctuality, phoning in sick, and safety procedures. Filling out a time sheet or time card noting time to the minute and to the quarter hour adding up time
Work rules punctuality calling in sick filling out accident reports reporting safety problems harassment requesting vacation or time off performance reviews and promotions, raise salary, wages, hourly wage, over time, double time, sick leave, bereavement leave, union, contract, bargaining agreements
Safety procedures protective apparel (hard hat, eye protection, protective suit, ear protection) hazardous chemicals first aid, fire extinguisher lifting
Government and Law Identify the current US President and Vice-President, state, and local officials. US president, vice president, senator, congressman, representative Governor, state representative, state legislator, state senator Mayor, city council, school board
Recognize community laws. Curfew Safety hazards clear sidewalks trash-free yards
Traffic laws Mandatory schooling for children Discipline, child abuse
Computation Know number names up to 1,000,000. Read and write in words and digits Order and compare
Complete addition and subtraction computations. Add three or four 3-digit or 4-digit numbers with or without regrouping Subtract 3-, 4-, or 5-digit numbers with or without regrouping Commutative properties of addition
Complete multiplication and division computations. Multiply a 2-digit number by a 2-digit number Multiply a 3-, 4-, or 5-digit number by a 1-, 2-, or 3-digit number with regrouping Divide a 3-, 4-, or 5-digit number by a 1-, 2-, or 3-digit number with and without remainders Associative properties of multiplication Distributive properties of division Identify factors of numbers up to 100
Identify prime numbers up to 13. Apply fraction concepts. Multiples Connection between fractions and division Associate verbal names with word names and numerals Understand comparative size of common fractions Write numbers as fractions
Convert fractions to other fraction forms. Convert mixed and improper fractions Reduce fractions Equivalent fractions
Complete computations with fractions. Add and subtract fractions with common and uncommon denominators Multiply and divide fractions with mixed numbers
Apply decimal concepts. Associate verbal names with word names and numbers Understand relative size of common decimals Place value to 3 places
Identify the relationship between fractions and decimals. Convert decimals to fractions Convert fractions to decimals
Complete computations with decimals. Round decimals to one or two decimal places or to a whole number Add, subtract, multiply, and divide Multiply and divide by powers of 10
Relate decimals to the money system. Read and write monetary amounts Make change Calculate money amounts
Apply percentage concepts. Read and write simple percentages Convert decimals to percents and percents to decimals
Complete computations with percentages. Find 10% and 1% of an amount mentally Percent equivalents for simple common fractions (halves, quarters) Find percent of a number Find standards percents of numbers to 1000 (10%, 25%, 50%)
Apply concepts of ratio and proportion. identify proportional quantities state ratios and percents in words and numerical notation express quantities as ratios
Solve narrative math problems. Identify necessary and irrelevant information Solve problems using one or two basic operations Use estimation Use mental math Solve problems of 1 or 2 steps Solve problems with diagrams Cost formula
Use a calculator. Basic calculations Calculations involving percents Calculations involving decimals
Identify mathematical patterns. Counting patterns in a set of numbers Simple calculations that set a pattern in a set of numbers
Apply basic algebra concepts. Write simple equations for basic math problems Solve problems using parentheses Solve one step equations with one unknown
Interpret exponents. Say in words numbers squared and cubed Compute squared and cubed numbers
Write abbreviations for standard units of measurement, use a ruler, and add or subtract measurements. Write abbreviations for standard units of measurement Use a ruler to measure to the ¼ inch Add or subtract measurements with no conversions
Use the formulas for perimeter and area. Perimeter Area
Describe, classify, compare, and sort geometric figures. Two-dimensional circle triangle angles square rectangle pentagon hexagon octagon
Three-dimensional pyramid cube rectangular solid cylinder
Identify types of lines. Parallel Perpendicular Intersecting
Identify simple angle and degrees. 90, 180, 360 degrees Right angles
Calculate time. Hours, minutes, seconds Hours, day, weeks, months, years Hours and minutes as decimals
Find rates. Averages Unit rates Velocity Frequency
Measure and calculate US units. Weight Temperature Capacity Dimension Area squares rectangles
Volume cubes rectangular solids
Read, interpret, and analyze data. Locate and compare information bar graphs, circle graphs, line graphs tables charts
Mean, median Express data as ratios Use data to make computations Use data to make predictions
Determine probability. Probability of certain simple events Express as fractions
Learning to Learn (Reading) Plan a schedule of activities on a calendar. Create a chart showing days and times; fill in with activities
Identify and compare self, family members, and others using physical characteristics and personal traits. Physical characteristics and personal traits Hispanic, Asian, African, African-American, Native American, black, white, Caucasian, foreign, American tall, short, fat, skinny, thin, overweight, attractive, ugly, beautiful, pretty, large, small, little, tiny hair—blond, red head, brunette, black, brown, bald, curly, straight, short, long, crew cut eyes—blue, green, brown, black married, single, engaged, widowed personal traits—talkative, shy, funny, quiet, loud, happy, sad, tired, athletic, conservative, critical, lazy, intelligent, smart, liberal, nice, old, young, middle-age, outgoing, popular, successful
Communicate feelings and impressions. Emotions—happy, sad, angry, love, hate, mad, ashamed, bored, confused, disappointment, embarrassed, frightened, frustrated, glad, heartbroken, jealous, lonely, nervous, pride, unhappy, upset Expressing likes, dislikes, acceptance, rejection I like I don’t like I agree I don’t agree Not me Me too I want I don’t want I dislike
Describe person, place, thing, or event. Adjectives Adverbs Colors Physical characteristics Emotional characteristics Behavior
Apply the conventions of alphabetics. Silent letters (consonants) Vowel digraphs Compound words Syllables CVC VCe Vr CV syllabication
Recognize and interpret familiar and unfamiliar vocabulary. Dolch sight words Level 2 Abbreviations employment situations employment application housing cooking
Meaning from word formation plurals possessives verb endings comparative forms
Prefixes Suffixes
Read and comprehend a variety of texts. Multi-paragraph narratives Informational materials Workplace materials Operating instructions Workplace procedures Forms insurance rental employment pay statements
Graphic documents maps diagrams charts tables graphs
Apply conventions of written English to comprehend text. Grammar structures verb tense pronoun reference modifiers compound sentences
Signal words however then finally most importantly
Connotative meanings of simple words Formatting clues headings outlines captions bullets bold italic
Utilize reference tools. Index Table of contents Directory Catalog Glossary Standard dictionary
Apply reading strategies. Pre-reading Prediction Previewing Scanning Skimming Fluency
Practice reading skills in a variety of texts. Main idea Supporting details compare/contrast cause/effect problem/solution persuasion sequence
Paraphrase Summarize Inferences and conclusions Fact/opinion Author’s purpose Question validity of claims
Grammar and Writing Write a variety of texts. Short notes Friendly letter Envelope Short paragraph Main idea, two or three details
Simple directions To a location How to do something
Use common verbs, contracted forms, and correct spelling in present, present continuous, past, future, present perfect, and modals. Contractions Present Present continuous Past Future Present perfect Modals
Use information questions. Who, what, where, when, whose, whom, why, how
Use adjectives. Demonstrative Possessive Descriptive
Use adverbs. Frequency Time Location
Use prepositions. Of location Of direction
Use nouns. Count/non count Possessive Common/proper Plural—regular/irregular
Use sentence structure. Subject, verb, object Affirmative/negative/interrogative
Write paragraphs. Well stated main idea and topic sentence Clear structure and organizational pattern Words chosen for effect; some figurative language or interesting descriptive phrases Minor errors in grammar, spelling, and mechanics; does not interfere with readability
Listening Discriminate sounds in English. Changes in stress change meaning Moods and emotions conveyed by pronunciation Reduced forms of speech
Comprehend a variety of vocabulary. Homonyms in context Prefixes and suffixes that change meaning Context clues to determine unfamiliar vocabulary
Utilize grammatical structures to make meaning. Contractions Contracted speech Imperatives Negatives Types of questions Plural and possessive nouns Possessive pronouns Past tense Modals Conditional Present perfect Compound sentences Comparative adjectives and adverbs Signal words
Respond and participate appropriately in conversations. Simple and extended conversations on a variety of functional contexts Expression of feelings Polite disagreement Fillers and place holders Humor
Comprehend non-face-to-face information. TV news and weather Movies TV shows Phone calls Announcements
Respond and comprehend directions and instructions. Multi-step Detailed Explanations Range of contexts
Comprehend information given orally. Main idea or topic Supporting details Simple inferences Non-verbal language Type of language dependent on situation and speakers Request clarification
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High Intermediate ESL