English Level Eight

English 8 - ELP:

Currently Taught by:

• David Jamieson
• Farshad Alipour
• Gerlando Sdao
• Jonathan Krenz
• Rodolfo Barbosa Ribeiro
• Steven Lee

Goals and Objectives

Can write about feelings and the personal significance of experiences in detail.
Can write clear, detailed descriptions on a variety of subjects related to their field of interest.
Can adjust to the changes of direction, style and emphasis normally found in conversation.
Can write a forceful but polite letter of complaint, including supporting details and a statement of the desired outcome.
Can recognize the repetition of ideas expressed by substitution, paraphrasing, etc.
Can identify different styles, genres, and registers in written discourse.
Can write relevant subheadings to structure longer more complex texts.
Can synthesize and evaluate familiar information and arguments from a number of sources.
Can systematically develop an argument giving the reasons for or against a point of view.
Can encourage members of a group to describe and elaborate on their thinking.
Can understand differences and similarities between points of view in extended texts.
Can highlight the main issue that needs to be resolved in a complex task and the important aspects that need to be taken into account.
Can use a suitable phrase to intervene in a discussion on a familiar topic.
Can narrate a story in detail, giving relevant information about feelings and reactions.
Can speculate about the causes of an issue or problem.
Can infer what will come next in an unstructured text by using contextual, grammatical and lexical cues.
Can understand the details of long complex instructions in their field, rereading as necessary.
Can respond in writing to other people's arguments in an appropriate style.
Can seek confirmation of information and ideas on abstract and concrete topics.
Can deal with misunderstandings and unexpected problems that arise in online collaborative or transactional exchanges by responding politely and appropriately in order to help resolve the issue.
Can clearly explain the connections between the goals of the session and the personal or professional interests and experiences of the participant(s).
Can understand complex technical information such as operating instructions, specifications for familiar products and services.
Can initiate, maintain and end discourse naturally with effective turn-taking.
Can understand the positive and negative connotations of words that have similar meanings.
Can recognize contrasting arguments in the structured, discursive text.
Can write clear and precise emails intended to create rapport and put the addressee at ease.
Can emphasize a point in a conversation using rhetorical questions.
Can use hyperbole to emphasize a point (e.g. 'It's going to take me years to do this.').
Can quickly scan long, complex texts for key information.
Can use a variety of reference materials to check factual information quickly and efficiently.
Can precisely express the potential consequences of actions or events.
Can understand the advice given in a linguistically complex text.
Can encourage members of a group to build on one another’s information and ideas to come up with a concept or solution.
Can extract specific details from poor quality public announcements, e.g., in a station, sports stadium, etc.
Can paraphrase an idea using a range of linguistic devices.
Can present factual information in an objective way in extended spoken discourse.
Can clarify misunderstandings and misinterpretations during intercultural encounters, suggesting how things were actually meant in order to clear the air and move the discussion forward.
Can write a structured review of a film, book or play with some references and examples.
Can politely avoid answering a question without making it obvious to the listener.
Can express an attitude, opinion or idea using idiomatic language.
Can understand summaries of data or research used to support an extended argument.
Can organize complex written material into numbered sections and sub-sections.
Can comment tactfully on other people's contributions to a discussion.
Can talk about trends in detail.
Can synthesize information from different sources in order to give a written or oral summary.
Can identify key information in a linguistically complex text.
Can follow a wide range of factual and creative texts and summarise themes and opinions.
Can state clearly the limits to a concession.
Can understand complex, detailed correspondence, with occasional support from a dictionary.
Can politely bring a discussion back to the main point when the participants have gone off-topic.
Can present their ideas with precision and respond to complex lines of argument convincingly.
Can simplify a source text by excluding non-relevant or repetitive information and taking into consideration the intended audience.
Can lead a discussion in an interview, expanding and developing ideas with little help from the interviewer.
Can convey information and ideas on abstract and concrete topics.
Can understand inferred meaning in formally structured text.
Can write a structured report analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of a situation and recommending action.
Can guess the meaning of an unfamiliar word from context in a linguistically complex text.
Can compare the advantages and disadvantages of possible approaches and solutions to an issue or problem.
Can compare and evaluate different ideas using a range of linguistic devices.
Can talk about hypothetical events and actions, and their possible consequences.
Can summarise opposing arguments in writing, including supporting evidence.
Can give clear presentations highlighting significant points with relevant supporting detail.
Can express the same idea with a different level of formality appropriate to the audience.
Can ask detailed questions in discussions on contemporary social issues and current affairs.
Can represent contrasting points of view in a coherent, well-structured text.
Can make a specific, complex piece of information in his/her field clearer and more explicit for others by paraphrasing it in simpler language.
Can make a specific, complex piece of information in his/her field clearer and more explicit for others by paraphrasing it in simpler language.
Can formulate a clear and accurate summary of what has been agreed and what is expected from each of the parties.
Can understand when something is being said ironically in a casual conversation.
Can negotiate different cultural perspectives in a discussion.
Can act as rapporteur in a group discussion, noting ideas and decisions, discussing these with the group and later giving a summary of the group’s view(s) in a plenary.
Can relay in writing (in Language B) the relevant point(s) contained in propositionally complex but well-structured texts (in Language A) within his/her fields of professional, academic and personal interest.
Can use a variety of linking words efficiently to mark clearly the relationships between ideas.
Can recognize the use of rhetorical questions to reveal unstated assumptions.
Can make the content of a text on a subject in his/her fields of interest more accessible to a target audience by adding examples, reasoning and explanatory comments.
Can, based on people’s reactions, adjust the way he/she formulates questions and/or intervenes in group interaction.
Can make the content of a text on a subject in his/her fields of interest more accessible to a target audience by adding examples, reasoning and explanatory comments.
Can exploit knowledge of sociocultural conventions in order to establish a consensus on how to proceed in a particular situation unfamiliar to everyone involved.
Can demonstrate understanding of structure and conventions of different written genres.
Can differentiate between rhetorical and genuine questions in informal discussion.
Can mediate (between Language A and Language B) conveying detailed information, drawing the attention of both sides to background information and sociocultural cues, and posing clarification and follow-up questions or statements as necessary.
Can, in intercultural encounters, demonstrate an appreciation of perspectives other than that of his/her own worldview, and express himself/herself in a way appropriate to the context.
Can give well-structured, detailed presentations on a wide range of familiar subjects.
Can understand complex questions in questionnaires designed to elicit opinions.
Can distinguish between fact and opinion in complex formal contexts.
Can infer attitude and mood in discussions by using contextual, grammatical and lexical cues.
Can recognize the repetition of ideas through substitution, paraphrasing, etc. in complex arguments.
Can present factual information in an objective way in extended written discourse.
Can help organize the discussion in a group by reporting what others have said, summarising, elaborating and weighing up different points of view.
Can understand the main points of complex and abstract presentations in their field.
Can identify key information in linguistically complex conversations at natural speed.
Can use rhetorical questions in a presentation to keep the audience interested.
Can engage in online collaborative or transactional exchanges within his/her area(s) of expertise that requires negotiation of conditions and explanation of complicated details and special requirements.
Can understand detailed medical advice.
Can check and correct spelling, punctuation and grammar mistakes in long written texts.
Can understand the use of irony to emphasize a speaker's meaning.
Can shift between formal and informal registers as and when required.
Can challenge the evidence used to support an argument in a written text.
Can ask detailed questions about specific points in a presentation or lecture.
Can describe places in detail using linguistically complex language.
Can make a complicated issue easier to understand by presenting the components of the argument separately.
Can evaluate problems, challenges and proposals in a collaborative discussion in order to decide on the way forward.
Can understand most TV news and current affairs programmes.
Can make a complicated issue easier to understand by presenting the components of the argument separately.
Can take a lead role in online collaborative work within his/her area(s) of expertise, keeping the group on task by reminding it of roles, responsibilities and deadlines in order to achieve established goals.
Can understand the main points of complex academic/professional presentations.
Can carry out an effective, fluent interview, spontaneously following up on interesting replies.
Can write a detailed, reasoned argument for or against a case.
Can talk about personal experiences in detail using linguistically complex language.
Can compare, contrast and synthesize in writing (in Language B) the information and viewpoints contained in academic and professional publications (in Language A) in his/her fields of special interest.
Can relate their own contribution skilfully to those of other speakers.
Can identify specific information in a linguistically complex factual text.
Can follow extended speech expressing unstructured ideas and thoughts.
Can give detailed technical instructions in their field of specialization.
Can evaluate arguments in a debate or discussion and justify the evaluation.
Can recognize the author's use of irony in a text.
Can put forward a smoothly flowing and logical structured argument, highlighting significant points.
Can make a verbal summary to confirm their understanding of a linguistically complex discourse.
Can talk in detail about choices that have been significant or life-changing using linguistically complex language.
Can organize and manage collaborative group work efficiently.
Can produce clearly organized translations (from Language A into Language B) that reflect normal language usage but maybe over-influenced by the order, paragraphing, punctuation and particular formulations of the original.
Can explain technical topics within his/her field, using suitably non-technical language for a recipient who does not have specialist knowledge.
Can relay in writing (in Language B) the relevant point(s) contained in an article (in Language A) from an academic or professional journal.
Can negotiate a solution to a dispute (e.g. an undeserved traffic ticket, the blame for an accident).
Can explain technical topics within his/her field, using suitably non-technical language for a recipient who does not have specialist knowledge.
Can use circumlocution and paraphrase to cover gaps in vocabulary and structure.
Can develop an argument with appropriate highlighting of significant points and relevant supporting detail.
Can contribute to collaborative decision making and problem-solving, expressing and co-developing ideas, explaining details and making suggestions for future action.
Can explain in writing (in Language B) the viewpoint articulated in a complex text (in Language A), supporting inferences he/she makes with reference to specific information in the original.
Can summarise (in Language B) the main points of complex discussions (in Language A), weighing up the different points of view presented.
Can answer questions in a survey using linguistically complex language.
Can follow an animated conversation between two fluent speakers.
Can understand the intended double meaning of a word in a written text.
Can edit a text to make the style more neutral or formal.
Can engage in online exchanges, linking his/her contributions to previous ones in the thread, understanding cultural implications and reacting appropriately.
Can get the gist of specialized articles and technical texts outside their field.
Can give a detailed response to a counter-argument presented by someone else during a discussion.
Can follow extended speech on abstract and complex topics outside their field, if able to ask for confirmation of details.
Can write a detailed description of a complex process.
Can recognize the language and strategies used when a speaker is avoiding answering a question.
Can summarise in writing (in Language B) the main content of well-structured but propositionally complex texts (in Language A) on subjects within his/her fields of professional, academic and personal interest.
Can exchange complex information on a wide range of matters related to their work.
Can make a clear strong argument during a formal discussion.
Can structure longer complex texts using a range of cohesive devices.
Can express attitudes using linguistically complex language.
Can monitor individual and group work non-intrusively, intervening to set a group back on task or to ensure even participation.
Can manage discussions to ensure that they are based on facts and evidence rather than speculation.
Can relay in writing (in Language B) which presentations at a conference (given in Language A) were relevant, pointing out which would be worth detailed consideration.
Can depart from and return fluently to a prepared speech in order to answer audience questions.
Can intervene supportively in order to focus people’s attention on aspects of the task by asking targeted questions and inviting suggestions.
Can relay (in Language B) which presentations were given (in Language A) at a conference or which articles in a book (in Language A) are particularly relevant for a specific purpose.
Can ask linguistically complex questions in a survey.
Can compare and critically evaluate a summary against the original text.
Can prepare questions for a quiz using linguistically complex language.
Can help the parties in a disagreement better understand each other by restating and reframing their positions more clearly and by prioritizing needs and goals.
Can elicit possible solutions from parties in disagreement in order to help them to reach consensus, formulating open-ended, neutral questions to minimize embarrassment or offence.
Can contribute to group discussions even when speech is fast and colloquial.
Can make jokes in writing using words with similar spelling but different meanings.
Can demonstrate sensitivity to different viewpoints, using repetition and paraphrase to demonstrate a detailed understanding of each party’s requirements for an agreement.
Can explain technical terminology and difficult concepts when communicating with non-experts about matters within his/her field of specialization.
Can act as a mediator in intercultural encounters, contributing to a shared communication culture by managing ambiguity, offering advice and support, and heading off misunderstandings.
Can understand correspondence containing idiomatic or non-standard language.
Can describe the details of problem-solution relationships using a range of linguistic devices.
Can write essays and reports synthesizing information from a number of sources.
Can interpret and present clearly and reliably in writing (in Language B) the salient, relevant points contained in complex diagrams and other visually organized data (with text in Language A) on complex academic or professional topics.
Can make the main points contained in a complex text more accessible to the target audience by adding redundancy, explaining and modifying style and register.
Can anticipate how people might misunderstand what has been said or written and help maintain positive interaction by commenting on and interpreting different cultural perspectives on the issue concerned.
Can paraphrase and interpret complex, technical texts, using suitably non-technical language for a recipient who does not have specialist knowledge.
Can describe in detail his/her personal interpretation of a work, outlining his/her reactions to certain features and explaining their significance.
Can paraphrase and interpret complex, technical texts, using suitably non-technical language for a recipient who does not have specialist knowledge.
Can summarise (in Language B) long, demanding texts (in Language A).
Can co-ordinate a group that is working on a project online, formulating and revising detailed instructions, evaluating proposals from team members, and providing clarifications in order to accomplish the shared tasks.
Can engage in real-time online exchanges with several participants, understanding the communicative intentions and cultural implications of the various contributions.
Can use persuasive language to suggest that parties in disagreement shift towards a new position.
Can critically appraise a wide variety of texts including literary works of different periods and genres.
Can write a clear summary of a complex factual text, maintaining its original tone and message.
Can write a letter of the application using appropriate conventions and a range of linguistically complex language.
Can critically appraise a wide variety of texts including literary works of different periods and genres.
Can outline his/her interpretation of a character in a work: their psychological/emotional state, the motives for their actions and the consequences of these actions.
Can interpret and describe clearly and reliably (in Language B) the salient points and details contained in complex diagrams and other visually organized information (with text in Language A) on complex academic or professional topics
Can explain technical terminology and difficult concepts when communicating with non-experts about matters within his/her field of specialization.
Can make the main points contained in a complex text more accessible to the target audience by adding redundancy, explaining and modifying style and register.
Can summarise clearly in the well-structured language (in Language B) the main points made in complex texts (in Language A) in fields of specialization other than his/her own, although he/she may occasionally check particular technical concepts.
Can answer questions about abstract topics clearly and in detail.
Can follow a fast-paced conversation between fluent speakers well enough to be able to contribute.
Can substitute an equivalent term for a word they can't recall so smoothly that it isn't noticeable.
Can show sensitivity to different perspectives within a group, acknowledging contributions and formulating any reservations, disagreements or criticisms in such a way as to avoid or minimize any offence.
Can summarise (in Language B) discussion (in Language A) on matters within his/her academic or professional competence, elaborating and weighing up different points of view and identifying the most significant points.
Can summarise in writing a long and complex text (in Language A) (e.g. an academic article, article providing political analysis, novel extract, editorial, literary review, report or extract from a scientific book) for a specific audience, respecting the style and register of the original.
Can explain (in Language B) the relevance of specific information found in a particular section of a long, complex text (in Language A).

Criteria for Completion of Level

To enter level-nine classes students must achieve a score of 80% or higher on the level-eight test and have a teacher recommend that they level up after successfully completing one of the following tasks:

Make a presentation to the class on a topic you know a lot about.