ALTE Levels and "Can Do" Statements
The ALTE "Can Do" statements exist in 13 European languages
The Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE) is a group of leading European language testing organizations (for example Cambridge ESOL, a founding member). To help people understand examination results, ALTE developed a series of "Can Do" statements describing what a person "can do" using the language at a particular level and in a particular context. The four contexts are: general, social & tourist, work, and study. The table below shows the 6 ALTE levels (related to CEF levels), together with the ALTE "Can Do" statements (in the context of general language).
| ALTE levels | ALTE "Can Do" statements (context: general) | equiv. CEF levels | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| listening / speaking | reading | writing | ||
| 5 | CAN advise on or talk about complex or sensitive issues, understanding colloquial references and dealing confidently with hostile questions. | CAN understand documents, correspondence and reports, including the finer points of complex texts. | CAN write letters on any subject and full notes of meetings or seminars with good expression and accuracy. | C2 |
| 4 | CAN contribute effectively to meetings and seminars within own area of work or keep up a casual conversation with a good degree of fluency, coping with abstract expressions. | CAN read quickly enough to cope with an academic course, to read the media for information or to understand non-standard correspondence. | CAN prepare/draft professional correspondence, take reasonably accurate notes in meetings or write an essay which shows an ability to communicate. | C1 |
| 3 | CAN follow or give a talk on a familiar topic or keep up a conversation on a fairly wide range of topics. | CAN scan texts for relevant information, and understand detailed instructions or advice. | CAN make notes while someone is talking or write a letter including non-standard requests. | B2 |
| 2 | CAN express opinions on abstract/cultural matters in a limited way or offer advice within a known area, and understand instructions or public announcements. | CAN understand routine information and articles, and the general meaning of non-routine information within a familiar area. | CAN write letters or make notes on familiar or predictable matters. | B1 |
| 1 | CAN express simple opinions or requirements in a familiar context. | CAN understand straightforward information within a known area, such as on products and signs and simple textbooks or reports on familiar matters. | CAN complete forms and write short simple letters or postcards related to personal information. | A2 |
| Break- through |
CAN understand basic instructions or take part in a basic factual conversation on a predictable topic. | CAN understand basic notices, instructions or information. | CAN complete basic forms, and write notes including times, dates and places. | A1 |