Level 1 students have very little practical ability in using English. The initial methods with these students are role play, communicative activities, and using visual prompts to develop pronunciation skills and mastery of basic vocabulary, grammar, and “survival” English. Communicating about basic needs and participating in basic conversations is emphasized. Students practice various grammatical structures and forms to generate sentences related to personal topics and short, loosely organized paragraphs.

Level 2 students, often called “false beginners,” have a foundation in basic English. These students have had contact with the English language via grammar textbooks, but they have yet to really activate the grammar and vocabulary they have previously learned. In this level emphasis is placed on developing critical thinking and literacy skills, and texts and auditory input become more academic. Writing becomes more organized and grammatical structures are further reinforced. Students are also introduced to American classroom culture and expectations.

Level 3 students move from the basic level of English grammar to increasingly complex grammatical forms. In Level 3, English students will deepen their language skill set as they learn to better articulate their ideas and generate more sophisticated inquiry. They also learn to participate in more extended conversation on both familiar and unfamiliar topics. At this level, students also learn to write academic paragraphs with relevant ideas and specific purposes.

Level 4 students have a solid foundation of English grammar, but continue to study to construct more complex sentence structures and demonstrate logical shifts between tenses. In Level 4, students will practice speaking about familiar topics with little hesitation. In addition, they gain a better understanding of American classroom culture and expectations. Writing shifts from focused paragraphs to developed academic essays.

Level 5 students have moved past the textbook-oriented skills to experiential learning. Learners have experience with the language, but sometimes still make simple and easy-to-correct errors. In Level 5, students learn more fluent skills. These include understanding essential points of discussions or speeches in special fields of interest, communicating about a variety of topics while using appropriate syntax, and reading more authentic material they encounter in everyday life. Writing also becomes more sophisticated and focused. Students will be able to accurately report feelings and opinions.

Level 6 is designed for students who will enter, or have conditional admittance to, a college undergraduate or graduate program. This level provides academic tasks in the context of challenging topics, advanced vocabulary, and authentic readings that parallel college level courses. The purpose of this level is to continue raising the English language fluency and cultural competence of non-native speakers, with the goal of preparing them to succeed in credit courses and eventually work effectively in jobs requiring native-like English skills.