Relating Canadian Language Benchmarks to Essential Skills: A Comparative Framework

DOCUMENT USE

Baseline: ES Level 3

ES: GLOBAL DESCRIPTION	CLB: GLOBAL DESCRIPTION	ES: DOCUMENT USETASKS	CLB: READING / WRITING TASKS
LEVEL 3 COMPLEXITY OF THE DOCUMENT: Document is somewhat complex. Multiple pieces of information organized in sections with subheadings or subparts (e.g., complex tables; or May be multiple simple documents that may include more than one document type (e.g., pie chart and bar graph). May be specialized document types (i.e., familiarity with the document type is required for interpretation): Pareto charts, isometric drawings, Gantt charts. COMPLEXITY OF INFORMATION ENTRY: Information Search: Locating one or more pieces of information using multiple search criteria; or The results of one search in a subsequent search (e.g.,. finding the chemical composition of paint from its label then using that information to search Material Safety Data Sheets). Information Entry: Entering multiple pieces of information. Thinking Process: A moderate degree of inference is required. The match between the information entered in the document(s) and the information required may be ambiguous. COMPLEXITY OF INFORMATION USE: Some knowledge of the content (i.e., substance) of the document is required to use the information. Some analysis required involving selection and integration of information. Information found in the document(s) must be integrated (e.g., integrate information from two diagrams in a repair manual to troubleshoot the problem). Information must be combined for entry onto the document (e.g., completing a monthly quality control form by integrating information from several lines).	BENCHMARKS 7, 8 INFORMATION SEARCH Locates and integrates, or compares / contrasts 2-3 specific pieces of information in visually complex texts (e.g., tables, calendars, course schedules, phone directories, almanacs, cookbooks) or across paragraphs or sections of text. (7/8) Language is concrete and abstract, conceptual and technical. Text contains facts and opinions; some information is explicit and some is implied. Inference may be required in comprehending the text. (7/8) Can extract relevant points, but may require clarification of idioms and of various cultural references. (8) INFORMATION ENTRY Writes routine business letters (e.g., letters of inquiry, cover letters for applications) and personal and formal social messages. (7/8) Texts: memo, a letter of request, a work record log entry). (7) Texts are varied and may be of a specialized or technical nature. (8) Fills out complex formatted documents. (8)	Refers to diagrams and supporting numerical data, such as ratios showing odds, to learn the rules of a game and explain them to players. Consults manuals containing assembly drawings and diagrams to service equipment. Gets information from graphs, such as real estate trends. Completes accident report forms when accidents occur. Reads computer lists of information about sales by category to be able to balance the payments and charges, using up to 10 documents at a time. Plots information on a graph, for example, to show the volume and subject matter of telephone calls and customer visits. Reads assembly and schematic drawings and diagnostic trees in manuals to identify, maintain and assemble parts and to diagnose problems. Reads assembly drawings to establish the sequence of parts installation. Reads blueprints of the equipment to obtain information about material thickness, angles or dimensions. Reads and interprets data obtained from employee or customer surveys. Reads maps to pinpoint the location where emergency response is required and to plan the quickest route to a targeted address. Must read the maps carefully so as to not confuse a road and a street with the same name. Reads charts, such as bar and pie charts, which show information about sales completed or market share achieved.	INFORMATION SEARCH (7/8) Reads authentic notes, e-mail messages and letters expressing gratitude and appreciation, complaint, disappointment, satisfaction and dissatisfaction; identifies factual details/inferred meanings. Explains how to assemble a simple object according to written instructions and diagrams. Obtains information from public health advisories, municipal notes and penalty payment forms, community newsletters and bulletins; decides on action. Interprets / explains information in a moderately complex diagram in a basic science text. Interprets selections from texts about safety precautions at a workplace (e.g., WHMIS: Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System), by locating and integrating 3-4 pieces of information from the text. Based on information, completes an unfinished classification / categorization diagram. INFORMATION ENTRY (7/8) Writes an effective personal résumé and a formal covering letter, letter of application for employment to a personnel / human resources manager. Fills out application forms of any length. Writes a report/memo in paragraph format: progress, action plan, incident inspection (e.g., what has been discovered or why something is not working the way it should).

ES: GLOBAL DESCRIPTION

CLB: GLOBAL DESCRIPTION

ES: DOCUMENT USETASKS

CLB: READING / WRITING TASKS

LEVEL 3 COMPLEXITY OF THE DOCUMENT:

Document is somewhat complex. Multiple pieces of information organized in sections with subheadings or subparts (e.g., complex tables; or
May be multiple simple documents that may include more than one document type (e.g., pie chart and bar graph).
May be specialized document types (i.e., familiarity with the document type is required for interpretation): Pareto charts, isometric drawings, Gantt charts.

COMPLEXITY OF INFORMATION ENTRY:

Information Search:

Locating one or more pieces of information using multiple search criteria; or
The results of one search in a subsequent search (e.g.,. finding the chemical composition of paint from its label then using that information to search Material Safety Data Sheets).

Information Entry:

Entering multiple pieces of information.

Thinking Process:

A moderate degree of inference is required. The match between the information entered in the document(s) and the information required may be ambiguous.

COMPLEXITY OF INFORMATION USE:

Some knowledge of the content (i.e., substance) of the document is required to use the information.
Some analysis required involving selection and integration of information.
Information found in the document(s) must be integrated (e.g., integrate information from two diagrams in a repair manual to troubleshoot the problem).
Information must be combined for entry onto the document (e.g., completing a monthly quality control form by integrating information from several lines).

BENCHMARKS 7, 8 INFORMATION SEARCH

Locates and integrates, or compares / contrasts 2-3 specific pieces of information in visually complex texts (e.g., tables, calendars, course schedules, phone directories, almanacs, cookbooks) or across paragraphs or sections of text. (7/8)
Language is concrete and abstract, conceptual and technical. Text contains facts and opinions; some information is explicit and some is implied. Inference may be required in comprehending the text. (7/8)
Can extract relevant points, but may require clarification of idioms and of various cultural references. (8)

INFORMATION ENTRY

Writes routine business letters (e.g., letters of inquiry, cover letters for applications) and personal and formal social messages. (7/8)
Texts: memo, a letter of request, a work record log entry). (7)
Texts are varied and may be of a specialized or technical nature. (8)
Fills out complex formatted documents. (8)

Refers to diagrams and supporting numerical data, such as ratios showing odds, to learn the rules of a game and explain them to players.
Consults manuals containing assembly drawings and diagrams to service equipment.
Gets information from graphs, such as real estate trends.
Completes accident report forms when accidents occur.
Reads computer lists of information about sales by category to be able to balance the payments and charges, using up to 10 documents at a time.
Plots information on a graph, for example, to show the volume and subject matter of telephone calls and customer visits.
Reads assembly and schematic drawings and diagnostic trees in manuals to identify, maintain and assemble parts and to diagnose problems.
Reads assembly drawings to establish the sequence of parts installation.
Reads blueprints of the equipment to obtain information about material thickness, angles or dimensions.
Reads and interprets data obtained from employee or customer surveys.
Reads maps to pinpoint the location where emergency response is required and to plan the quickest route to a targeted address. Must read the maps carefully so as to not confuse a road and a street with the same name.
Reads charts, such as bar and pie charts, which show information about sales completed or market share achieved.

INFORMATION SEARCH (7/8)

Reads authentic notes, e-mail messages and letters expressing gratitude and appreciation, complaint, disappointment, satisfaction and dissatisfaction; identifies factual details/inferred meanings.
Explains how to assemble a simple object according to written instructions and diagrams.
Obtains information from public health advisories, municipal notes and penalty payment forms, community newsletters and bulletins; decides on action.
Interprets / explains information in a moderately complex diagram in a basic science text.
Interprets selections from texts about safety precautions at a workplace (e.g., WHMIS: Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System), by locating and integrating 3-4 pieces of information from the text.
Based on information, completes an unfinished classification / categorization diagram.

INFORMATION ENTRY (7/8)

Writes an effective personal résumé and a formal covering letter, letter of application for employment to a personnel / human resources manager.
Fills out application forms of any length.
Writes a report/memo in paragraph format: progress, action plan, incident inspection (e.g., what has been discovered or why something is not working the way it should).