Literacy Levels

Prior to Spring 2017, our literacy classes followed Canadian Language Benchmarks 2000: ESL for Literacy Learners and were divided in Phases. We started using ESL for Adult Literacy Learners (ALL) in the Spring of that year and with it, Phases became levels.

The table below provides a quick view of the changes and serves as a tool to transition from one document to the other. The table has been adapted from the Language Modules in iCARE and HARTs for language assessment and language training funding recipients.

As seen in the table, ECSD LINC converted the three sub levels Beginning (Initial), Developing and Completing (Adequate) into two, Low and High. Therefore, Literacy classes at ECSD LINC encompass 5 levels (Foundation L, 1L, 2L, 3L and 4L) which are subdivided into two levels (Low and High) if space allows it at each site. Numeracy and Digital Literacy are part of each one of the levels and sub levels. Finally, it is important to remember that Literacy classes focus on Reading and Writing skills through the development of Listening and Speaking.

Benchmark Profiles

ECSD LINC developed ESL Literacy Benchmark Profiles for its Literacy stream, Foundation L – 4L, in July 2018. These profiles reflect both the 2012 CLB Document and ESL for ALL and are a product of consultation and feedback received from all Literacy sites and most of their teachers. The Listening and Speaking Benchmark Profiles were developed for CLB 1 - 6 in September 2018 and updated to include Foundation L in May 2020; the files below correspond to Stage 1 (CLB 1-4) since those are the levels that our literacy program has.

Note: printing is best using legal size pages

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The objective of the ESL Literacy Reading and Writing Benchmark Profiles is for them to be the main source when planning for and assessing students at different levels. They contain the outcomes that Literacy students should be assessed at as mandated by IRCC, and they also give our Literacy stream a common ground to operate. There are still some areas to clarify (i.e. sight words), therefore they remain “working documents”.