English speakers who have achieved basic literacy demonstrate the following skills and characteristics:
- Can write a handwritten note that the recipient can read without struggling to decipher the letters or the meaning.
- Can spell everyday vocabulary such as definite and calendar correctly without digital help.
- Are not intimidated by “big words” because they know how to use a dictionary to check the spelling, meaning, and pronunciation of an unfamiliar word.
- Know how to speak more than one dialect of English and when to speak which.
- Know the most basic grammatical rules of standard American English.
- Know how to find information in the old technology called “books.”
- Sometimes prefer reading to TV.
- Have a general notion of US history and the United States form of government.
- Have a general acquaintance with significant English works of literature.
- Have a general notion of world geography, history, religion, and literature.
- Can think critically about statements made in such different contexts as advertising, entertainment, news reporting, and books written in an earlier century.
L-1 Functional Literacy
L-3 Proficiency Literacy
L-4 Advanced Literacy
