Relating Canadian Language Benchmarks to Essential Skills: A Comparative Framework

LISTENING

Baseline: ES Level 3

ES: GLOBAL DESCRIPTION	CLB: GLOBAL DESCRIPTION	ES: ORAL COMMUNICATION TASKS	CLB: LISTENING TASKS
LEVEL 3 FUNCTIONS Extensive oral communication demands in complex work-related social interaction. Provides, obtains or exchanges detailed complex information and opinions. Follows and gives complex directions and instructions. Persuades. Resolves non-routine conflict. Entertains casually or with preparation. Advises or counsels. Assesses or evaluates. Leads routine meetings. Co-ordinates work with and for others. INFORMATION Significant range of subject matter, professional, organizational, theoretical, social issues. Language can be abstract and conceptual. Extensive range of general and technical vocabulary and idioms. Information content is complex and detailed, deals with facts, emotions and opinions. Requires ability to organize, present and interpret ideas coherently.	BENCHMARKS 9-10 FUNCTIONS Obtains key information for important tasks by listening to complex dialogues. (9) Obtains complex detailed information, ideas and opinions needed for important tasks from multiple sources in demanding contexts of language use. (10) Understands a broad range of factual, persuasive and expressive oral language in various contexts. (10) Infers much ‘unspoken’ attitudinal and socio-cultural information and critically evaluates selected aspects of oral discourse. (10) Has adequate listening/interpreting skills to satisfy most academic and work-related expectations for competent communication. (11) INFORMATION Follows a broad variety of general interest and technical topics in own field, including unfamiliar topics on abstract conceptual or technical matters, when discourse has a clear organizational structure and clear discourse transition signals, and is delivered in a familiar accent. (9) Discourse contexts are academic or occupationa / professional. (PC 9)	LEVEL 3 Interviews candidates for senior positions to assess their qualifications and to evaluate how they may contribute to meeting strategic business goals. Listens to members of the medical community to gain insight into evolving ways to modify work environments to meet the needs of disabled employees. Uses this information to analyze programs in effect in their workplaces and to provide input to policy development regarding accommodation of disabled employees’ needs. Participates in production meetings to exchange information and solve problems. Requests information from or gives direction to police, fire department and medical staff during an incident. For example, paramedics may direct care during extrication. Interacts with customers to analyze their requirements, establish objectives and negotiate agreements. Consults with business partners and professional service providers during the strategic planning process. Listens to customers to understand their requirements and sell goods or services which meet their interests. Misinterpretation of, or indifference to, the needs of customers may result in loss of business.	BENCHMARK 9 Makes a diagram, chart or a detailed outline to explain how the supporting details relate to and develop the main ideas in a lecture/presentation (20-30 minutes). (9) In a lecture or presentation, identifies phrases and sentences that mark: introducing topic, listing and naming of points to come, restating, examples to illustrate a point, transitioning to the next point and concluding. (9) Follows a 20-30 minute panel discussion or debate to obtain detailed information from and about each speaker and position; completes a related task (summarize, paraphrase, label a complex diagram). (9) Summarizes a 20-30 minute lecture/ presentation in a 2- page summary. (9) BENCHMARK 10 In a video/audio-taped social conversation in a workplace, identifies specific clues to interpret attitudinal meanings. Completes a related task in a standard format: circling, matching, filling in blanks, completing a chart. Follows extensive multi-step complex instructions on how to mediate and resolve an escalating conflict between children or on how to deal with a difficult client or employee.(10)

ES: GLOBAL DESCRIPTION

CLB: GLOBAL DESCRIPTION

ES: ORAL COMMUNICATION TASKS

CLB: LISTENING TASKS

LEVEL 3 FUNCTIONS

Extensive oral communication demands in complex work-related social interaction.
Provides, obtains or exchanges detailed complex information and opinions.
Follows and gives complex directions and instructions.
Persuades.
Resolves non-routine conflict.
Entertains casually or with preparation.
Advises or counsels.
Assesses or evaluates.
Leads routine meetings.
Co-ordinates work with and for others.

INFORMATION

Significant range of subject matter, professional, organizational, theoretical, social issues.
Language can be abstract and conceptual.
Extensive range of general and technical vocabulary and idioms.
Information content is complex and detailed, deals with facts, emotions and opinions.
Requires ability to organize, present and interpret ideas coherently.

BENCHMARKS 9-10 FUNCTIONS

Obtains key information for important tasks by listening to complex dialogues. (9)
Obtains complex detailed information, ideas and opinions needed for important tasks from multiple sources in demanding contexts of language use. (10)
Understands a broad range of factual, persuasive and expressive oral language in various contexts. (10)
Infers much ‘unspoken’ attitudinal and socio-cultural information and critically evaluates selected aspects of oral discourse. (10)
Has adequate listening/interpreting skills to satisfy most academic and work-related expectations for competent communication. (11)

INFORMATION

Follows a broad variety of general interest and technical topics in own field, including unfamiliar topics on abstract conceptual or technical matters, when discourse has a clear organizational structure and clear discourse transition signals, and is delivered in a familiar accent. (9)
Discourse contexts are academic or occupationa / professional. (PC 9)

LEVEL 3

Interviews candidates for senior positions to assess their qualifications and to evaluate how they may contribute to meeting strategic business goals.
Listens to members of the medical community to gain insight into evolving ways to modify work environments to meet the needs of disabled employees. Uses this information to analyze programs in effect in their workplaces and to provide input to policy development regarding accommodation of disabled employees’ needs.
Participates in production meetings to exchange information and solve problems.
Requests information from or gives direction to police, fire department and medical staff during an incident. For example, paramedics may direct care during extrication.
Interacts with customers to analyze their requirements, establish objectives and negotiate agreements.
Consults with business partners and professional service providers during the strategic planning process.
Listens to customers to understand their requirements and sell goods or services which meet their interests. Misinterpretation of, or indifference to, the needs of customers may result in loss of business.

BENCHMARK 9

Makes a diagram, chart or a detailed outline to explain how the supporting details relate to and develop the main ideas in a lecture/presentation (20-30 minutes). (9)
In a lecture or presentation, identifies phrases and sentences that mark: introducing topic, listing and naming of points to come, restating, examples to illustrate a point, transitioning to the next point and concluding. (9)
Follows a 20-30 minute panel discussion or debate to obtain detailed information from and about each speaker and position; completes a related task (summarize, paraphrase, label a complex diagram). (9)
Summarizes a 20-30 minute lecture/ presentation in a 2- page summary. (9)

BENCHMARK 10

In a video/audio-taped social conversation in a workplace, identifies specific clues to interpret attitudinal meanings. Completes a related task in a standard format: circling, matching, filling in blanks, completing a chart.
Follows extensive multi-step complex instructions on how to mediate and resolve an escalating conflict between children or on how to deal with a difficult client or employee.(10)