Introduction
This is the outline of introductory English material to cover in The Last Language Textbook described at thelastlanguagetextbook.org. Because this is a reference document, only members of the project group can make changes. All pages about actual teaching materials are publicly editable and have talk pages for public discussion.
Goals
Our goal is to bring completely new students to A2 fluency in English on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). A1 and A2 fluency are described by Wikipedia as follows:
| A1 | A2 |
|---|---|
| Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help. | Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need. |
To learn more about what students are expected to learn at these levels take a look at these two example tests: the Cambridge KET and Englishtag A1.
Organization
To help coordinate lesson building effort we are breaking down the requirements for each of these proficiency levels into three stages meant to be studied in order. These coverage maps will be expanded over the coming weeks. Click on the “Coverage map” link next to each stage for more details on what each stage covers. Those links all have talk pages for discussing changes and expansions of the particular teaching goals of each stage.
A1 Stages
Stage 1: Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. (Coverage map)
Stage 2: Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. (Coverage map)
Stage 3: Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help. (Coverage map)
A2 Stages
Stage 1: Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). (Coverage map)
Stage 2: Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. (Coverage map)
Stage 3: Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.(Coverage map)