CEFR Series overview: What is Macmillan Skillful? Skillful is a five-level, academic series, spanning from CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) levels A1 to. Each level is split into two books, one for Reading & Writing and the other for Listening & Speaking. Skillful offers a skills syllabus, covering listening, speaking, reading, and writing, with vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and study skills. This CEFR mapping against Skillful is correlated with the following publicly available documents (last accessed June 15, 2015). Descriptors have been modified from the descriptors given in these sources. 1. EAQUALS/British Council Core Inventory for General English: http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/sites/teacheng/files/z243%20e%26e%20equals%20 BROCHURErevised6.pdf 2. EAQUALS Bank of Descriptors as checklists: http://clients.squareeye.net/uploads/eaquals2011/eaquals_bank_as_checklists.pdf 3. The Council of Europe Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment: http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/linguistic/source/framework_en.pdf What is CEFR? The CEFR was designed to provide a transparent, coherent, and comprehensive basis for the elaboration of language syllabuses and curriculum guidelines, the design of teaching and learning materials, and the assessment of foreign language proficiency. It is used in Europe but also in other continents and is now available in 39 languages. See www.coe.int/lang-cefr for further information. Overview chart of Skillful level correlations to other level/grade systems: LEVEL TOEFL ibt TOEIC IELTS UCLES ALTE CEFR Foundation A1 0-2.0 0-245 - - Level 1 A2 1 KET 3.0 246-380 - 1 Level 2 B1 2 PET 4.0 500-650 57-86 3 Level 3 B2 3 FCE 5.0 650-720 87-109 4 Level 4 4 CAE 6.0-7.0 720-910 110-120 5 PTE PHOTOCOPIABLE Skillful Level 4. This page is photocopiable, but all copies must be complete pages. Copyright Macmillan Publishers Limited 2016. 1
CEFR Overview of global competencies of CEFR level users: The CEFR was designed to level general English competencies rather than academic English skills, so there are some limitations in mapping Skillful against the CEFR. There is no CEFR mapping for Pronunciation or Study Skills. However, we can still find many matches for the more general language competencies between Skillful and the CEFR that form the base for developing the necessary academic skills and language knowledge more appropriate for a tertiary context. The general summaries of competencies at each level are: Skillful Foundation, A1: Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help. Skillful Level 1, A2: Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment, and matters in areas of immediate need. Skillful Level 2, B1: Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst traveling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes, and ambitions, and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans. Skillful Level 3, B2: Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialization. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options. Skillful Level 4, : Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognize implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic, and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors, and cohesive devices. (taken from http://www.englishprofile.org/the-cefr, copyright Council of Europe 2001) PHOTOCOPIABLE Skillful Level 4. This page is photocopiable, but all copies must be complete pages. Copyright Macmillan Publishers Limited 2016. 2
CEFR Listening & Speaking Level 4 UNIT 1: Gathering CEFR Descriptor CEFR Level Inferring a speaker s attitude (p9) Applying a theory to other situations (p10) I can understand how tone can affect the style of a text. + Binomials: all or nothing, ups and downs (p12) Modal verbs and levels of directness (p13) I can use a range of modal verbs and understand formal vs. less formal use. A2+ Interrupting (p14) I can ask someone to elaborate on something they said in a polite and formal register. B2 UNIT 2: Games CEFR Descriptor CEFR Level Identifying key information in an argument (p19) I can follow extended speech on abstract and more complex academic topics. I can track more advanced organizational structures of a lecture. Selecting information for notes and summaries (p20) Prepositional verbs (p22) Phrasal verbs: levels of formality (p22) Agreeing and disagreeing: degrees of formality (p24) I can follow extended formal talks, being selective about which points I should note down for later reference. I can use a wide range of phrasal verbs, and I am familiar with extended phrasal verbs, e.g., She failed to bring the issue up quickly enough. I can follow and participate in discussions on abstract and complex topics involving more than one speaker. I can interrupt and agree and disagree on other speaker s points in an appropriate formal register. + B2+ - PHOTOCOPIABLE Skillful Level 4. This page is photocopiable, but all copies must be complete pages. Copyright Macmillan Publishers Limited 2016. 3
CEFR UNIT 3: Nostalgia CEFR Descriptor CEFR Level Organizing qualitative data (p29) Representative samples (p31) Approximation: approximately, more than, less than, etc. (p32) I can include quantitative expressions in my speech to indicate approximate or specific quantities. Particularizer and exclusive adverbs: largely, especially, just, solely, etc. (p33) Identifying sources of information: primary and secondary sources (p34) UNIT 4: Risk CEFR Descriptor CEFR Level Using illustrative examples to support an argument (p39) Anticipating a conclusion based on reasons and evidence (p41) Nominalization (p42) Possible, probable, and hypothetical future predictions (p43) Managing conversation (p44) I can make a persuasive argument in an appropriate register and use examples to support my point, introducing some idiomatic language and literary devices. I can make possible, probable, and hypothetical future predictions, e.g., At the rate things are going, I will never manage to remember all those legal terms in time for the exam. I can use different language devices to navigate smoothly and appropriately through a conversation. + + PHOTOCOPIABLE Skillful Level 4. This page is photocopiable, but all copies must be complete pages. Copyright Macmillan Publishers Limited 2016. 4
CEFR UNIT 5: Sprawl CEFR Descriptor CEFR Level Recognizing logical order (p49) Evaluating against criteria (p51) I can follow extended speech on abstract and more complex academic topics. I can track more advanced organizational structures of a lecture, and can start to anticipate some of the ideas that will come up based on signposts and prior information. Connotation: positive or negative association (p52) Academic verbs (p53) Supporting proposals (p54) I can give a structured presentation on a more complex topic area, elaborating on and supporting points of view with known reasons or examples. UNIT 6: Legacy CEFR Descriptor CEFR Level Source validity (p59) Use of the passive in source citations (p61) Inversion, to create emphasis or stress (p62) Collocations: way (p63) I can use negative adverbials to create effect, e.g., Never again will there be a technological revolution. I am using collocations in my speech and writing. + B1- Emphasizing important information: repetition and contrastive pairs (p64) I can develop an argument systematically, highlighting significant points and using repetition and other rhetorical devices for emphasis of my points. UNIT 7: Expanse CEFR Descriptor CEFR Level Differentiating between fact and opinion (p69) Identifying statements that need justification (p70) I can listen to more advanced speeches and distinguish between facts and opinions. + PHOTOCOPIABLE Skillful Level 4. This page is photocopiable, but all copies must be complete pages. Copyright Macmillan Publishers Limited 2016. 5
CEFR Attitude adverbials (p72) Abstract nouns (p73) Negotiating (p74) I can use attitudinal adverbs, e.g., Naturally, I got special treatment because I had a broken leg. I can use abstract nouns, e.g., The remoteness of Iceland makes it a more costly destination to fly to. I can use a range of expressions using appropriate register to take appropriate turns and influence the direction of a discussion. B2 B2 UNIT 8: Change CEFR Descriptor CEFR Level Maximizing language (p79) Recognizing implicit assumptions (p81) Expressing change: vary, transform, adapt, etc. (p82) Gradable adjectives (p83) Adding points to an argument with language: besides, in addition, furthermore, etc. (p84) I can listen to more advanced speeches which contain stated and implied opinions. I can argue a case on a complex issue, adapting the structure, content, and emphasis in order to convince particular listeners of the validity of my argument. C2 UNIT 9: Flow CEFR Descriptor CEFR Level Identifying counter-arguments (p89) I can follow extended speech on abstract and more complex academic topics. I can track more advanced organizational structures such as arguments and counter-arguments. + Visual aids and diagrams (p90) Irregular plurals (p92) Words in context, working with concordance data to find information on word patterns and word frequencies (p93) PHOTOCOPIABLE Skillful Level 4. This page is photocopiable, but all copies must be complete pages. Copyright Macmillan Publishers Limited 2016. 6
CEFR Softening criticism (p94) I can use language for positive or gentle criticism, e.g., It s very well written, but maybe there could be a bit more detail in the conclusion? UNIT 10: Conflict CEFR Descriptor CEFR Level Identifying strengths and theories in arguments (p99) Consistency (p101) Hedging and boosting (p102) Using the correct linker (p103) Managing conflict reformulating and monitoring (p104) I can use expressions in order to hedge or appear tentative, e.g., I assume you ll be wanting to have more time to do that. I can reformulate ideas in an appropriate tone and register in order to ensure that people understand exactly what I mean, eliminating the possibility of misunderstandings. + PHOTOCOPIABLE Skillful Level 4. This page is photocopiable, but all copies must be complete pages. Copyright Macmillan Publishers Limited 2016. 7