English Language Proficiency Levels

Students learning English progress through different levels of English language development. These levels describe what students can understand and communicate as they continue to develop their English skills.

Laraway CCSD 70C uses the WIDA English Language Development Standards and proficiency levels to support instruction and monitor student growth.

The six levels of English language proficiency are:

Level 1 – Entering
Students begin developing English skills and may communicate using pictures, gestures, words, and familiar phrases.

Level 2 – Emerging
Students begin using simple phrases and sentences to communicate ideas and participate in classroom activities.

Level 3 – Developing
Students use expanded sentences and begin communicating more detailed ideas in academic settings with support.

Level 4 – Expanding
Students communicate using more complex language and participate more independently in classroom discussions and learning tasks.

Level 5 – Bridging
Students use academic language with increasing independence and are approaching the language skills needed for grade-level learning.

Level 6 – Reaching
Students demonstrate English language skills comparable to their proficient English-speaking peers in academic settings.

Students may demonstrate different levels of proficiency across the areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Teachers use this information to provide instruction and support that meets each student's language development needs.