SOURCE: Adapted from Foreign Language Annals, 20(6), 589-603. ���{��\�̓K�C�h���C��
 

1987 ACTFL JAPANESE PROFICIENCY GUIDELINES

SUPERIOR. The Superior level is characterized by an ability to write formally and informally on practical, social, and professional topics.

ADVANCED Japanese. Can write longer personal letters and simple business letters such as ordering a book, making an appointment, or requesting a copy of a paper, using appropriate conventions. Evidence of a limited ability in authentic Japanese writing style is present. For example, social correspondence employs at least some stylistic opening, e.g., �q�[�A closing, e.g., �h��A������ etc. While the writer has fairly consistent control of the basic grammatical patterns and structures characteristic of speech, is still not conversant with the more appropriate written-style literacy equivalent. Continues to make occasional errors in character production due to graphic or sound confusion. Use of basic cohesive devices is rather accurate and consistent, but either fails or falters with using less basic forms of coordination, subordination, etc. Writing generally shows little variation in style.

ADVANCED. The Advanced level is characterized by an ability to write narratives and descriptions of a factual nature of at least several paragraphs in length on familiar topics.

INTERMEDIATE-MID Japanese. Able to write an increasing number of frequently-encountered KANJI. Can write a very short simple letter on topics related to the writer's personal experience, e.g., ����̓{�X�g���ɍs���܂����B�{�X�g���̒������āA���ꂩ�甎���قœ��{�̕����G���݂܂����B�����ɂP�Q������A��܂����B but connectives are usually missing. There are still many errors in use of JOSHI and verb/adjective conjugations. In general, there is a heavy overlay of the writer's native language syntax.

INTERMEDIATE-LOW Japanese. Can write short messages, e.g., �ꎞ������A��܂����炱���ő҂��Ă��ĉ������BGibberish? Use this http://www.rdt.monash.edu.au/~jwb/jviewer.htm. but may make errors. Makes only occasional KANA spelling errors. Without the use of a dictionary KANA may be used where KANJI would be expected. Vocabulary is expanding but still limited to everyday objects and common verbs and adjectives. Topics are simple, such as likes and dislikes, e.g., ���́A�e�j�X���D���ł��B short descriptions, e.g., �����͂��‚��ł��B recounting of everyday events in a list-like manner, e.g., �����ɔӂ��т�H�ׂ܂����B�e���r�Ńt�b�g�{�[�������܂����B�������납�����ł��B�P�Q������˂܂����B Makes persistent errors in KANJI , word choice, and grammar. Sentences are primarily simple sentences without any subordinate clauses.

INTERMEDIATE. The Intermediate level is characterized by an ability to meet practical writing needs by communicating simple facts and ideas in a loose collection of sentences.

NOVICE-HIGH Japanese. Can write frequently-used memorized material such as own name and address and names and addresses of friends and associates. Can at least partially supply basic information required for such forms as hotel reservations and travel documents, for example: names, dates, nationality, etc. Can write some memorized short sentences (oral in nature, e.g.,�킽���́A�A�����J�l�ł��B�����͂����Ă񂫂ł��B���Ȃ񂶂ł����B Ability to write rudimentary personal communication is emerging. Control of grammatical features such as word order, JOSHI, etc., and errors in using such features in directly reflective of parallel control in speech. Writer has mastery of KANA and some very simple KANJI. Able to write frequently-encountered KANJI, including those representing numbers, days of the week, and commonly-occurring place names.

NOVICE-MID Japanese. Able to write familiar isolated items in either HIRAGANA or KATAKANA as appropriate.

NOVICE-LOW Japanese. No functional ability in writing Japanese script, but can copy some symbols in a recognizable fashion.

NOVICE. The Novice level is characterized by an ability to produce isolated words and phrases. 

SUPERIOR. The Superior level is characterized by an ability to read, for information or for pleasure, with almost complete comprehension and at normal speed, a wide variety of texts on a wide variety of topics. 

ADVANCED Japanese. Can read edited, multiparagraphic materials of factual nature, characterized by structure which increasingly mirrors that of authentic material. Is alert to the full range of basic structural patterns. Can decode, but may not be able to read, a broader range or simple authentic prose characterized by repetition of a particular vocabulary pool and a widening pool of patterns. Can use knowledge of connectives and anaphoras (pronouns, etc.) to determine logical progression and organization of discourse. Can decode authentic prose (including newspapers and magazines) for general ideas; with more error, can glean a range of specific facts from short authentic pieces of sports, movies, and current events. Increasing control of structural features give rise to periodic success at syntactically based guessing strategy.

ADVANCED. The Advanced level is characterized by--an ability to read, with consistent understanding, prose several paragraphs in length, dealing primarily with factual information and intended for the general reader; and --in areas of special interest or knowledge, an increasing ability to understand parts of texts which are propositionally and linguistically complex. 

INTERMEDIATE-MID Japanese. Sufficient comprehension to understand specially-prepared material of several connected sentences for informative purposes and to understand with use of a dictionary main ideas and some facts in authentic material. Can understand and follow events of a very simple passage in specially-prepared material when content deals with basic situations and sentence structure is simple, i.e., without complex subordination, e.g., �T���T���̒��A�P�O�����̐V�����œ����w�ɒ����܂��B�����͏��߂Ăł�����A�悭�킩��܂���B���݂܂��񂪁A�}���ɗ��ĉ������B�z�[���ő҂��Ă��܂��B Gibberish? Use this http://www.rdt.monash.edu.au/~jwb/jviewer.htm. Can decode with considerable effort and frequent error, hand-printed notes or short letters for main facts. Such tasks will be characterized by frequent errors and moderate success depending on subject matter, amount of unfamiliar vocabulary, simplicity of style, and skill with dictionary.

INTERMEDIATE-LOW Japanese. Can read, for basic survival and social needs, very simple, specially-prepared (quasi-authentic) material. Understands main ideas in specially-prepared material where sentences are extremely simple. Can read very simple hand-printed messages, e.g., �����A���X�����܂����܂��B�c���@Understands only the simplest language with high frequency vocabulary and structure. Sentence structure is limited to simple sentences without any subordination. Misunderstanding arises when syntax diverges from that of the native language or when grammatical cues are overlooked.

INTERMEDIATE. The Intermediate level is characterized by an ability to understand main ideas and some facts from simple connected texts.

NOVICE-MID Japanese. Able to read a limited number of isolated words frequently encountered in high-context situations, e.g., �^�N�V�[ (in KATAKANA), ���� (in HIRAGANA) and �o��(in KANJI).

NOVICE-LOW Japanese. No functional ability in reading Japanese script, but may be able to recognize a few isolated symbols in a native orthography.

NOVICE. The Novice level is characterized by an ability to --identify isolated words and phrases when strongly supported by context; and --identify learned material.

SUPERIOR Japanese. Sufficient comprehension to understand the essentials of all speech in standard Japanese, including hypothesis, supported opinion, and technical discussions within a special field. Has broad enough vocabulary that rarely has to ask for paraphrasing or explanation. Can follow accurately the essentials of conversations in reasonably clear telephone calls, radio and TV broadcasts, oral reports, and public addresses on nontechnical subjects. Can understand some written Japanese vocabulary and structures commonly used in formal speeches and broadcasts. Can understand common idioms as well as common sayings and proverbs, common honorific expressions, and high frequency slogans. May not understand native speakers if they speak very quickly or use some slang or unfamiliar dialect or accent, but can often detect emotional overtones and make inferences (understand "between the lines").

SUPERIOR. The Superior level is characterized by an ability to understand concrete and abstract topics in extended discourse offered by speakers using native-like discourse strategies. 

ADVANCED-PLUS Japanese. Partial comprehension of essentials of abstract, technical discussions related to a special field. Except for technical discussions, shows remarkable ability and ease of understanding. Partial comprehension of abstract Chinese-origin compounds, e.g., NIHON NO SEIJOO WA IGAI TO ANTEI SHITE ITE, JUUNANSEI NI MO TONDE IRU YOO DESU NE. May still be deficient in completely comprehending set phrases and idioms and/or more complex syntactic/discourse grammar.

ADVANCED Japanese. Able to understand face-to-face, nontechnical, connected narrative/descriptive discourse in standard Japanese spoken by a native speaker in controlled context. Comprehension sufficient to handle nonsurvival, complicated situations, e.g., MOOSHIWAKE GOZAIMASEN GA, OTAZUNE NO YAMADA BUCHOO WA KESA KYUUYOO DE OOSAKA NO HOO E MAIRIMASHITA. TABUN, YOTEIDOORI 2 JI 35 FUN CHAKU NO BIN DE MODORIMASU NODE, SONO KORO MOOICHIDO OKOSHI KUDASAI. Sufficient comprehension to function with some cultural sensitivity as a host or a guest, to respond appropriately to offers and invitations, and to participate in an interview. Able to get the gist of some radio and TV broadcasts if language is not highly stylized.

ADVANCED. The Advanced level is characterized by an ability to understand main ideas and most details of connected discourse on a variety of topics beyond the immediacy of the situation, including some topics where comprehension is complicated due to an unexpected sequence of events.

INTERMEDIATE-HIGH Japanese. Beginning to understand more complex structures, i.e., KINOO GINZA NI ITTE EIGA O MITE KIMASHITA. NIHON NI ITTARA, NANI O SURU TSUMORI DESU KA. Beginning to understand a relatively long stretch of connected discourse, e.g., KINOO UCHI NI KAETTARA TOMODACHI NO OGAWASAN GA KITE IMASHITA. GONENBURI DATTA NODE, HANASU KOTO GA TAKUSAN ARIMASHITA. FUTARI DE, YORU NIJI GORO MADE, NOMINAGARA HANASHIMASHITA. TOTEMO TANOSHI KATTA DESU. Limited vocabulary range and comprehension span necessitate repetition for understanding.

INTERMEDIATE-MID Japanese. Limited to sustain understanding of topics beyond a variety of survival needs. Beginning to understand longer utterances, but frequently requires repetition. Increasing awareness of particles and their meanings. Comprehend both sets of numbers (ICHI, NI, SAN...and HITOTSU, FUTATSU, MITTSU....), the basic classifiers (-EN, -MAI, -SATSU,, -HON, -KEN, -DAI), and the common time classifiers.

INTERMEDIATE-LOW Japanese. In areas of immediate need or on very familiar topics, can understand simple questions, e.g., IMA NANJI DESU KA? GAKUSEI DESU KA?, and answers, e.g., HACHIJI DESU. HAI, SOO DESU, and statement face-to-face conversations. Comprehension areas include basic information about such things as meals, lodging, transportation, time, simple instructions, making a purchase (including prices), and personal identification. Misunderstanding frequently arises from lack of vocabulary and inability to process syntactic information.

INTERMEDIATE. The Intermediate level is characterized by an ability to understand main ideas and some facts from interactive exchanges and simple connected aural texts.

NOVICE-HIGH Japanese. Comprehends some simple questions, statements, high-frequency commands such as CHOTTO MATTE KUDASAI and courtesy formulae, particularly where context strongly supports understanding and speech is clearly audible. May require repetition, rephrasing and/or a slowed rate of speech for comprehension.

NOVICE-MID Japanese. Able to understand some memorized words within predictable areas of need. Understanding is limited to memorized basic courtesy formulae such as OHAYOO (GOZAIMASU), KONNICHI WA, DOOZO and DOOMO.

NOVICE-LOW Japanese. Can identify only high frequency social conventions such as SAYONARA, ARIGATOO or isolated words, e.g., SUSHI, KIMONO.

NOVICE. The Novice level is characterized by an ability to recognize learned material and isolated words and phrases when strongly supported by context.

Superior (Revised 1999). Speakers at the Superior level are able to communicate in the language with accuracy and fluency in order to participate fully and effectively in conversations on a variety of topics in formal and informal settings from both concrete and abstract perspectives. They discuss their interests and special fields of competence, explain complex matters in detail, and provide lengthy and coherent narrations, all with ease, fluency, and accuracy. They explain their opinions on a number of topics of importance to them, such as social and political issues, and provide structured argument to support their opinions. They are able to construct and develop hypotheses to explore alternative possibilities. When appropriate, they use extended discourse without unnaturally lengthy hesitation to make their point, even when engaged in abstract elaborations. Such discourse, while coherent, may still be influenced by the Superior speakers' own language patterns, rather than those of the target language.
�@�@�@Superior speakers command a variety of interactive and discourse strategies, such as turn-taking and separating main ideas from supporting information through the use of syntactic and lexical devices, as well as intonational features such as pitch, stress and tone. They demonstrate virtually no pattern of error in the use of basic structures. However, they may make sporadic errors, particularly in low-frequency structures and in some complex high-frequency structures more common to formal speech and writing. Such errors, if they do occur, do not distract the native interlocutor or interfere with communication.

ADVANCED-PLUS Japanese. Able to support opinions, explain in detail, and hypothesize, but this ability is not consistent. Under pressure or stress, control of stylistic registers and/or complicated structures may prove inadequate.

ADVANCED Japanese. Can narrate and describe, linking sentences together smoothly into paragraphs, using such cohesive devices as conjugations, pronouns, ellipses, and repetitions. (���͓d�C��Ђɋ΂߂Ă��܂��B��w���o�Ă������̎d�����n�߂܂�������A�����P�O�N�ɂȂ�܂��B���Ɏd���ɂ‚��ẮA�����m��܂��񂪁A�����ւ񂨂��� �낻���ł��B������A�ڂ�����w�œd�C�H�w��׋����悤���Ǝv���Ă����ł��B) Marked improvement in delivery in terms of intonation, hesitation noises, and AIZUCHI.

Advanced High. Speakers at the Advanced-High level perform all Advanced-level tasks with linguistic ease, confidence and competence. They are able to consistently explain in detail and narrate fully and accurately in all time frames. In addition, Advanced-High speakers handle the tasks pertaining to the Superior level but cannot sustain performance at that level across a variety of topics. They can provide a structured argument to support their opinions, and they may construct hypotheses, but patterns of error appear. They can discuss some topics abstractly, especially those relating to their particular interests and special fields of expertise, but in general, they are more comfortable discussing a variety of topics concretely.
�@�@�@Advanced-High speakers may demonstrate a well-developed ability to compensate for an imperfect grasp of some forms or for limitations in vocabulary by the confident use of communicative strategies, such as paraphrasing, circumlocution, and illustration. They use precise vocabulary and intonation to express meaning and often show great fluency and ease of speech. However, when called on to perform the complex tasks associated with the Superior level over a variety of topics, their language will at times break down or prove inadequate, or they may avoid the task altogether, for example, by resorting to simplification through the use of description or narration in place of argument or hypothesis.

Advanced Mid. Speakers at the Advanced-Mid level are able to handle with ease and confidence a large number of communicative tasks. They participate actively in most informal and some formal exchanges on a variety of concrete topics relating to work, school, home, and leisure activities, as well as to events of current, public, and personal interest or individual relevance.
�@�@�@Advanced-Mid speakers demonstrate the ability to narrate and describe in all major time frames (past, present, and future) by providing a full account, with good control of aspect, as they adapt flexibly to the demands of the conversation. Narration and description tend to be combined and interwoven to relate relevant and supporting facts in connected, paragraph-length discourse. Advanced-Mid speakers can handle successfully and with relative ease the linguistic challenges presented by a complication or unexpected turn of events that occurs within the context of a routine situation or communicative task with which they are otherwise familiar. Communicative strategies such as circumlocution or rephrasing are often employed for this purpose. The speech of Advanced-Mid speakers performing Advanced-level tasks is marked by substantial flow. Their vocabulary is fairly extensive although primarily generic in nature, except in the case of a particular area of specialization or interest. Dominant language discourse structures tend to recede, although discourse may still reflect the oral paragraph structure of their own language rather than that of the target language.
�@�@�@Advanced-Mid speakers contribute to conversations on a variety of familiar topics, dealt with concretely, with much accuracy, clarity and precision, and they convey their intended message without misrepresentation or confusion. They are readily understood by native speakers unaccustomed to dealing with nonnatives. When called on to perform functions or handle topics associated with the Superior level, the quality and/or quantity of their speech will generally decline. Advanced-Mid speakers are often able to state an opinion or cite conditions; however, they lack the ability to consistently provide a structured argument in extended discourse. Advanced-Mid speakers may use a number of delaying strategies, resort to narration, description, explanation or anecdote, or simply attempt to avoid the linguistic demands of Superior-level tasks.

Advanced Low. Speakers at the Advanced-Low level are able to handle a variety of communicative tasks, although somewhat haltingly at times. They participate actively in most informal and a limited number of formal conversations on activities related to school, home, and leisure activities and, to a lesser degree, those related to events of work, current, public, and personal interest or individual relevance.
�@�@�@Advanced-Low speakers demonstrate the ability to narrate and describe in all major time frames (past, present and future) in paragraph length discourse, but control of aspect may be lacking at times. They can handle appropriately the linguistic challenges presented by a complication or unexpected turn of events that occurs within the context of a routine situation or communicative task with which they are otherwise familiar, though at times their discourse may be minimal for the level and strained. Communicative strategies such as rephrasing and circumlocution may be employed in such instances. In their narrations and descriptions, they combine and link sentences into connected discourse of paragraph length. When pressed for a fuller account, they tend to grope and rely on minimal discourse. Their utterances are typically not longer than a single paragraph. Structure of the dominant language is still evident in the use of false cognates, literal translations, or the oral paragraph structure of the speaker's own language rather than that of the target language.
�@�@�@While the language of Advanced-Low speakers may be marked by substantial, albeit irregular flow, it is typically somewhat strained and tentative, with noticeable self-correction and a certain 'grammatical roughness.' The vocabulary of Advanced-Low speakers is primarily generic in nature. Advanced-Low speakers contribute to the conversation with sufficient accuracy, clarity, and precision to convey their intended message without misrepresentation or confusion, and it can be understood by native speakers unaccustomed to dealing with non-natives, even though this may be achieved through repetition and restatement. When attempting to perform functions or handle topics associated with the Superior level, the linguistic quality and quantity of their speech will deteriorate significantly.

INTERMEDIATE-HIGH Japanese. Emerging ability to distinguish between politeness and formality usage in most uncomplicated communicative tasks and social situations. (�搶�A�ǂ���ւ�������Ⴂ�܂����B). There is emerging evidence of connected discourse, particularly for simple narration and/or description. (A: ����A�Ȃɂ����܂������BB: ���s�ɍs���āA���������ĕ����܂����B�V�C���ǂ��āA�ƂĂ��y���������ł��B������x�s�������Ǝv���܂��B).

Intermediate High. Intermediate-High speakers are able to converse with ease and confidence when dealing with most routine tasks and social situations of the Intermediate level. They are able to handle successfully many uncomplicated tasks and social situations requiring an exchange of basic information related to work, school, recreation, particular interests and areas of competence, though hesitation and errors may be evident.
�@�@�@Intermediate-High speakers handle the tasks pertaining to the Advanced level, but they are unable to sustain performance at that level over a variety of topics. With some consistency, speakers at the Intermediate High level narrate and describe in major time frames using connected discourse of paragraph length. However, their performance of these Advanced-level tasks will exhibit one or more features of breakdown, such as the failure to maintain the narration or description semantically or syntactically in the appropriate major time frame, the disintegration of connected discourse, the misuse of cohesive devises, a reduction in breadth and appropriateness of vocabulary, the failure to successfully circumlocute, or a significant amount of hesitation.
�@�@�@Intermediate-High speakers can generally be understood by native speakers unaccustomed to dealing with non-natives, although the dominant language is still evident (e.g. use of code-switching, false cognates, literal translations, etc.), and gaps in communication may occur.

INTERMEDIATE-MID Japanese. Can ask and answer simple questions on topics such as personal history (ONIISAN GA ARIMASU KA?), leisure time activities (EIGA NI YOKU IKIMASU KA?), and simple transactions, such as at the post office (100 EN KITTE GO-MAI KUDASAI.), etc. Quantity of speech is increased and quality is improved. Greater accuracy in basic constructions and use of high frequency verbs and auxiliary verbs (A: IMA NANI O SHITE IMASU KA? B: TEREBI O MITE IMASU.). The intermediate-Mid speaker is generally a less reactive and more interactive conversational partner. (A: EIGA NI IKIMASHOO KA? B: IIE, WATASHI WA ONGAKKAI NI IKITAI DESU.). The use of classifiers is expanded, and the use of particles is more appropriate.

Intermediate Mid. Speakers at the Intermediate-Mid level are able to handle successfully a variety of uncomplicated communicative tasks in straightforward social situations. Conversation is generally limited to those predictable and concrete exchanges necessary for survival in the target culture; these include personal information covering self, family, home, daily activities, interests and personal preferences, as well as physical and social needs, such as food, shopping, travel and lodging.
�@�@�@Intermediate-Mid speakers tend to function reactively, for example, by responding to direct questions or requests for information. However, they are capable of asking a variety of questions when necessary to obtain simple information to satisfy basic needs, such as directions, prices and services. When called on to perform functions or handle topics at the Advanced level, they provide some information but have difficulty linking ideas, manipulating time and aspect, and using communicative strategies, such as circumlocution.
�@�@�@Intermediate-Mid speakers are able to express personal meaning by creating with the language, in part by cornbining and recombining known elements and conversational input to make utterances of sentence length and some strings of sentences. Their speech may contain pauses, reformulations and self-corrections as they search for adequate vocabulary and appropriate language forms to express themselves. Because of inaccuracies in their vocabulary and/or pronunciation and/or grammar and/or syntax, misunderstandings can occur, but Intermediate-Mid speakers are generally understood by sympathetic interlocutors accustomed to dealing with non-natives.

INTERMEDIATE-LOW Japanese. Can ask and answer questions, such as IMA NAN-JI DESU KA? HACHI-JI DESU. Can engage in a simple, reactive conversations using formal nonpast/past, affirmative/negative forms (A: BOKU WA KINOO FUTTOBOORU O MI NI IKIMASHITA. B: SOO DESU KA. BOKU MO IKIMASHITA.), demonstrates (KORE/SORE/ARE WA WATASHI NO KURUMA DESU.), and classifiers (KAMI GA NI-MAI ARIMASU.), Misunderstanding frequently arises from poor pronunciation, wrong pitch-accents, and limited vocabulary.

Intermediate Low. Speakers at the Intermediate-Low level are able to handle successfully a limited number of uncomplicated communicative tasks by creating with the language in straightforward social situations. Conversation is restricted to some of the concrete exchanges and predictable topics necessary for survival in the target language culture. These topics relate to basic personal information covering, for example, self and family, some daily activities and personal preferences, as well as to some immediate needs, such as ordering food and making simple purchases. At the Intermediate-Low level, speakers are primarily reactive and struggle to answer direct questions or requests for information, but they are also able to ask a few appropriate questions.
�@�@�@Intermediate-Low speakers express personal meaning by combining and recombining into short statements what they know and what they hear from their interlocutors. Their utterances are often filled with hesitancy and inaccuracies as they search for appropriate linguistic forms and vocabulary while attempting to give form to the message. Their speech is characterized by frequent pauses, ineffective reformulations and self-corrections. Their pronunciation, vocabulary and syntax are strongly influenced by their first language but, in spite of frequent misunderstandings that require repetition or rephrasing, Intermediate-Low speakers can generally be understood by sympathetic interlocutors, particularly by those accustomed to dealing with non-natives.

NOVICE-HIGH Japanese. Able to satisfy partially the requirements of basic communicative exchanges. Can handle a very limited number of simple questions, such as NAN DESU KA? DOKO DESU KA? DARE DESU KA?, and may be able to answer such questions. Vocabulary centers on categories such as basic objects and activities. May use English [or native-language] words within a Japanese context without appropriate phonological adaptation, for example, Airport DOKO DESU KA? Able to count but not to use the classifier system. Delivery may still be strongly influenced by first language.

Novice High
Speakers at the Novice-High level are able to handle a variety of tasks pertaining to the Intermediate level, but are unable to sustain performance at that level. They are able to manage successfully a number of uncomplicated communicative tasks in straightforward social situations. Conversation is restricted to a few of the predictable topics necessary for survival in the target language culture, such as basic personal information, basic objects and a limited number of activities, preferences and immediate needs. Novice-High speakers respond to simple, direct questions or requests for information; they are able to ask only a very few formulaic questions when asked to do so.
�@�@�@Novice-High speakers are able to express personal meaning by relying heavily on learned phrases or recombinations of these and what they hear from their interlocutor. Their utterances, which consist mostly of short and sometimes incomplete sentences in the present, may be hesitant or inaccurate. On the other hand, because these utterances are frequently only expansions of learned material and stock phrases, they may sometimes appear surprisingly fluent and accurate. These speakers' first language may strongly influence their pronunciation, as well as their vocabulary and syntax when they attempt to personalize their utterances. Frequent misunderstandings may arise but, with repetition or rephrasing, Novice-High speakers can generally be understood by sympathetic interlocutors used to non-natives. When called on to handle simply a variety of topics and perform functions pertaining to the Intermediate level, a Novice-High speaker can sometimes respond in intelligible sentences, but will not be able to sustain sentence level discourse.

NOVICE-MID Japanese. Oral production continues to consist of isolated words and phrases within very predictable areas of need. Vocabulary is sufficient only for handling simple, elementary needs and expressing basic courtesies such as OHAYOO (GOZAIMASU), KONNICHI WA, ARIGATOO (GOZAIMASU), DOOZO, and DOOMO. Speech may be hesitant.

Novice Mid
Speakers at the Novice-Mid level communicate minimally and with difficulty by using a number of isolated words and memorized phrases limited by the particular context in which the language has been learned. When responding to direct questions, they may utter only two or three words at a time or an occasional stock answer. They pause frequently as they search for simple vocabulary or attempt to recycle their own and their interlocutor's words. Because of hesitations, lack of vocabulary, inaccuracy, or failure to respond appropriately, Novice-Mid speakers may be understood with great difficulty even by sympathetic interlocutors accustomed to dealing with non-natives. When called on to handle topics by performing functions associated with the Intermediate level, they frequently resort to repetition, words from their native language, or silence.

NOVICE-LOW Japanese. Oral production is limited to isolated words, such as SAYOONARA, HAI, or common loan words in English such as KIMONO. Essentially no communicative ability.

Novice Low
Speakers at the Novice-Low level have no real functional ability and, because of their pronunciation, they may be unintelligible. Given adequate time and familiar cues, they may be able to exchange greetings, give their identity, and name a number of familiar objects from their immediate environment. They are unable to perform functions or handle topics pertaining to the Intermediate level, and cannot therefore participate in a true conversational exchange. in the language with accuracy and fluency in order to participate fully and effectively in conversations on a variety of topics in formal and informal settings from both concrete and abstract perspectives. They discuss their interests and special fields of competence, explain complex matters in detail, and provide lengthy and coherent narrations, all with ease, fluency, and accuracy. They explain their opinions on a number of topics of importance to them, such as social and political issues, and provide structured argument to support their opinions. They are able to construct and develop hypotheses to explore alternative possibilities. When appropriate, they use extended discourse without unnaturally lengthy hesitation to make their point, even when engaged in abstract elaborations. Such discourse, while coherent, may still be influenced by the Superior speakers' own language patterns, rather than those of the target language.
�@�@�@Superior speakers command a variety of interactive and discourse strategies, such as turn-taking and separating main ideas from supporting information through the use of syntactic and lexical devices, as well as intonational features such as pitch, stress and tone. They demonstrate virtually no pattern of error in the use of basic structures. However, they may make sporadic errors, particularly in low-frequency structures and in some complex high-frequency structures more common to formal speech and writing. Such errors, if they do occur, do not distract the native interlocutor or interfere with communication.

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