Writing Skill Level — the assessed proficiency of the individual in writing a given language
Writing 0 (No Proficiency)
No functional writing ability. (Has been coded W-0 in some nonautomated applications.) (Data Code 00)
Writing 0 + (Memorized Proficiency)
Writes using memorized material and set expressions. Can produce symbols in an alphabetic or syllabic writing system or 50 of the most common characters. Can write such things as numbers and dates, own name, nationality, and address on a hotel registration form, for example. Otherwise, ability to write is limited to simple lists of common items such as a few short sentences. Spelling and even representation of symbols (letters, syllables, characters) may be incorrect. (Has been coded W-0+ in some nonautomated applications.) (Data Code 06)
Writing 1 (Elementary Proficiency)
Has sufficient control of the writing system to meet limited practical needs. Can create by writing statements and questions on topics very familiar to him within the scope of his very limited language experience. Writing vocabulary is inadequate to express anything but elementary needs; writes in simple sentences, making continual errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation, but writing can be read and understood by a native reader used to dealing with foreigners attempting to write his language. Writing tends to be a loose collection of sentences (or fragments) on a given topic and provides little evidence of conscious organization. While topics that are “very familiar” and elementary needs vary considerably from individual to individual, any person at this level should be able to write simple phone messages, excuses, notes to service people, and simple notes to friends (800-1,000 characters controlled). (Has been coded W-1 in some nonautomated applications.) (Data Code 10)
Writing 1 + (Elementary Proficiency, Plus)
Sufficient control of writing system to meet most survival needs and limited social demands. Can create sentences and short paragraphs related to most survival needs (food, lodging, transportation, immediate surroundings and situations) and limited social demands. Can express present and future times fairly accurately. Can produce some past verb forms, but not always accurately or with correct usage. Can relate personal history and discuss topics such as daily life, preferences, and very familiar material. Shows good control of elementary vocabulary and some control of basic syntactic patterns, but major errors still occur when expressing more complex thoughts. Dictionary usage may still yield incorrect vocabulary or forms, although the individual can use a dictionary to advantage to express simple ideas. Generally, cannot use basic cohesive elements of discourse to advantage (such as relative constructions, object pronouns, or connectors). Can take notes in some detail on familiar topics and respond to personal questions using elementary vocabulary and common structures. Can write simple letters and summaries of biographical data or work experience with fair accuracy. Writing, though faulty, is comprehensible to native speakers used to dealing with foreigners. (Has been coded W-1+ in some nonautomated applications.) (Data Code 16)
Writing 2 (Limited Working Proficiency)
Able to write routine social correspondence and prepare documentary materials required for most limited work requirements. Has writing vocabulary sufficient to express himself simply with some circumlocutions. Can write simply about a very limited number of current events or daily situations. Still makes common errors in spelling and punctuation, but shows some control of the most common formats and punctuation conventions. Good control of morphology (in inflected languages) and of the most frequently used syntactic structures. Elementary constructions are usually handled quite accurately, and writing is understandable to a native reader not used to reading the writing of foreigners. Uses a limited number of cohesive devices. (Has been coded W-2 in some nonautomated applications.) (Data Code 20)
Writing 2 + (Limited Working Proficiency, Plus)
Shows ability to write with some precision and in some detail about most common topics. Can write about concrete topics relating to particular interests and special fields of competence. Often shows surprising fluency and ease of expression, but under time constraints and pressure language may be inaccurate and/or incomprehensible. Generally strong in either grammar or vocabulary, but not in both. Weaknesses or unevenness in one of the foregoing or in spelling result in occasional miscommunication. Areas of weakness range from simple constructions such as plurals, articles, prepositions, and negatives to more complex structures such as tense usage, passive constructions, word order, and relative clauses. Normally controls general vocabulary with some misuse of everyday vocabulary evident. Shows a limited ability to use circumlocutions. Uses dictionary to advantage to supply unknown words. Can take fairly accurate notes on material presented orally and handle with fair accuracy most social correspondence. Writing is understandable to native speakers not used to dealing with foreigners’ attempts to write the language, though style is still obviously foreign. (Has been coded W-2+ in some nonautomated applications.) (Data Code 26)
Writing 3 (General Professional Proficiency)
Able to use the language effectively in most formal and informal written exchanges on practical, social, and professional topics. Can write reports, summaries, and short library research papers on current events, on particular areas of interest, or on special fields with reasonable ease. Control of structure, spelling, and general vocabulary is adequate to convey his message accurately, but style may be obviously foreign. Errors virtually never interfere with comprehension and rarely disturb the native reader. Punctuation is generally controlled. Employs a full range of structures. Control of grammar good with only sporadic errors in basic structures, occasional errors in the most complex frequent structures, and somewhat more frequent errors in low-frequency complex structures. Consistent control of compound and complex sentences. Relationship of ideas is consistently clear. (Has been coded W-3 in some nonautomated applications.) (Data Code 30)
Writing 3 + (General Professional Proficiency, Plus)
Able to write the language in a few prose styles pertinent to professional/educational needs. Not always able to tailor language to suit audience. Weaknesses may lie in poor control of low-frequency complex structures, vocabulary, or the ability to express subtleties and nuances. Organization may suffer due to lack of variety in organizational patterns or in variety of cohesive devices. (Has been coded W-3+ in some nonautomated applications.) (Data Code 36)
Writing 4 (Advanced Professional Proficiency)
Able to write the language precisely and accurately in a variety of prose styles pertinent to professional or educational needs. Errors of grammar are rare, including those in low-frequency, complex structures. Consistently able to tailor language to suit audience and able to express subtleties and nuances. Expository prose is clearly, consistently, and explicitly organized. The writer employs a variety of organizational patterns, uses a wide variety of cohesive devices such as ellipsis and parallelisms, and subordinates in a variety of ways. Able to write on all topics normally pertinent to professional/ educational needs and on social issues of a general nature. Writing adequate to express all his experiences. (Has been coded W-4 in some nonautomated applications.) (Data Code 40)
Writing 4 + (Advanced Professional Proficiency, Plus)
Able to write the language precisely and accurately in a wide variety of prose styles pertinent to professional or educational needs. May have some ability to edit, but not in the full range of styles. Has some flexibility within a style and shows some evidence of use of stylistic devices. (Has been coded W-4+ in some nonautomated applications.) (Data Code 46)
Writing 5 (Functionally Native Proficiency)
Has writing proficiency equal to that of a well-educated native. Without nonnative errors of structure, spelling, style, or vocabulary, can write and edit both formal and informal correspondence, official reports and documents, and professional or educational articles, including writing for special purposes, which might include legal, technical, educational, literary, and colloquial writing. In addition to being clear, explicit, and informative, the writing and the ideas are also imaginative. The writer employs a very wide range of stylistic devices. (Has been coded W-5 in some automated applications.) (Data Code 50)