Talking about Proficiency and Using Level-Appropriate Language 

As language teachers, we know our ultimate goal is to help students use the language, not just learn about it. During Wayside Publishing’s 7th Annual Poolside Proficiency Series, educators came together to reflect on how to talk to students about language proficiency and how to use level-appropriate language with them. 

 Here are some teacher-centered takeaways and strategies you can use right away:  

Make Proficiency Goals Clear for Students 

Students are more motivated when they understand why we’re asking them to engage in certain tasks and how those tasks prepare students for the end goal. Teaching and using common language to describe proficiency and language learning puts everyone on the same page. 

💡 Teacher Tip: Explain the terms used to describe language proficiency and use those terms in your classroom to talk about student learning.   

• “At this stage, novice learners use lists and short memorized phrases.”
• “Level up by adding more details and extended your sentences.”
• “This is what a level-appropriate response sounds like.” 

Framing progress this way demystifies proficiency levels and clarifies classroom expectations for teachers, students, administrators, counselors, parents, and any other stakeholders involved. Creating level-appropriate goals for students relieves stress for everyone involved! 

Providing Level-Appropriate Input and Tasks 

Meeting students where they are doesn’t mean lowering expectations—it means giving them the right supports so they can access the target language. 

Some strategies highlighted in the webinar include: 

• Scaffold your input: Pair spoken language with visuals, gestures, and context clues.
• Recycle language: Reuse high-frequency words in multiple contexts so students internalize them.
• Provide supports: Tools like word walls, table tents, chat mats, vocabulary slides and images can go a long way in helping students use the target language. 

💡 Teacher Tip: Build in opportunities for “low-stakes practice.” Quick pair-shares and exit tickets in the target language keep proficiency growth ongoing without overwhelming learners. 

Building a Classroom Culture Around Growth 

The most powerful takeaway from the session? Students thrive when classrooms celebrate progress, not perfection. As teachers, we set the tone: 

• Praise attempts and risk-taking.
• Show students what growth looks like at each level.
• Connect their current abilities to real-world communication. 

When learners feel successful—even at the novice level—they’re more likely to stay motivated and push further. 

Moving Forward 

As you prepare for the new school year, consider these reflection questions: 

• How am I talking about language proficiency with my students?
• Do my tasks align with their current proficiency level while nudging them forward?
• How can I make growth visible and worth celebrating? 

By keeping proficiency and level-appropriate language at the heart of our classrooms, we empower students to see themselves not just as language learners, but as language users. 

Catch Up on What You Missed! 

Ready to take your teaching skills to the next level?

Dive into more insights and inspiration from the 2025 Poolside Proficiency series.

Webinar produced by Amy Rill
Hosted by Alexis Buschert, Carolyn Taylor, and Dagoberto Polanco
Brought to you by the Wayside Publishing Professional Learning Team