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Canadian Language Benchmark 6

Listening: Moderate Level

Global Performance Descriptor

• Learner can follow the main idea and identify key words and important details in oral discourse in moderately demanding contexts of language use (e.g., face-to-face formal and informal conversations, audiotapes and radio broadcasts) on relevant topics and at a slow to normal rate of speed.
• Can understand a range of common vocabulary and a limited number of idioms.
• Can follow conceptualized discourse related to common experiences and general knowledge.
• Can understand conceptualized short sets of instructions and directions.
• May still frequently request repetition.
• Can follow simple, short, predictable phone calls.

Performance Conditions

• Learner is adequately briefed for focused listening.
• Communication is live, or video- and audio-mediated (e.g., tape).
• Speech is clear and at a slow to normal rate.
• Instructions are clear and explicit, used with some visual clues, but not always presented in a step-by-step form.
• Listening texts are moderately short (five to eight exchange turns, each turn three to five sentences long, or two to five minutes), on familiar topics.
• Some tasks require oral or physical response; some tasks are in a “guided” writing format (e.g., circle or match items, fill in the blanks, complete a chart, answer questions, etc.).
• Learner may need one to two repetitions.
• Presentation or interaction is live, informal or semi-formal.
• Topic is concrete and familiar.
• Setting and context are familiar.
• Pictures and visuals are used.
• Length of discourse is up to 10 minutes.

Competency Outcomes and Standards