Language ability

This category of the Cambridge English Teaching Framework looks at:

• Your own language ability
• Your understanding of the language points taught at different levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
• Your ability to use language accurately and appropriately when interacting with learners and other teachers

Four stages of development

Every skill is described in relation to the four stages of development: Foundation, Developing, Proficient and Expert. Below, we list some of the main competencies for each stage plus some suggestions on how to develop further.

Resources for any stage of your development

Read	About Words – The Cambridge Dictionaries Blog Authentic material like news websites Cambridge books to develop your language ability: Grammar for English Language Teachers English Grammar in Use
Study	Preparing for a Cambridge English Qualification can help you to improve your English

Foundation

• Use basic classroom language which is mostly accurate and respond appropriately to learners’ output some of the time in planned situations
• Recognise basic errors that learners make
• Interact with other teachers in simple and routine professional contexts
• Have language ability to at least Level A2 of the CEFR and provide accurate examples of the language points taught at Levels A1 and A2 of the CEFR

Ways to develop further

Watch	English Language Learning Tips – Tenses Verb Tenses Present Perfect Tense
Do	Record your teaching and review your own classroom language. You can also ask a colleague for feedback. Join an online teacher community to exchange ideas and tips Test your English – get a rough idea of your current level

Developing

• Use classroom language that is mostly accurate and respond appropriately to learners’ output most of the time in planned situations and occasionally in spontaneous situations
• Recognise most errors that learners make
• Interact with other teachers in simple and routine professional contexts and some unfamiliar professional contexts
• Have language ability to at least Level B1 of the CEFR and provide accurate examples of the language points taught at Levels A1, A2 and B1 of the CEFR

Ways to develop further

Watch	English Language Learning Tips - Prefixes and Suffixes
Do	Record your teaching and review your own classroom language to identify any areas for development. Work on one or more of these areas and then record yourself again to see your progress. Communicate regularly with other professionals online and re-read your writing to identify any errors Test your English – get a rough idea of your current level

Proficient

• Use classroom language that is consistently accurate throughout the lesson and respond appropriately to learners’ output most of the time in both planned and spontaneous situations
• Recognise almost all errors that learners make
• Interact with other teachers in most professional contexts
• Have language ability to at least Level B2 of the CEFR and provide accurate examples of the language points taught at Levels A1, A2, B1 and B2 of the CEFR

Ways to develop further

Watch	Explore our Learning English playlist, which includes a range of videos on English idioms
Do	Record your teaching and review your own classroom language to identify any areas for development. Work on one or more of these areas and then record yourself again to see your progress. Communicate regularly with other professionals online and re-read your writing to identify any errors Test your English – get a rough idea of your current level

Expert

• Can consistently use a wide range of classroom language throughout the lesson and respond appropriately to learners’ output in both planned and spontaneous situations using a wide range of language
• Recognise all errors that learners make
• Interact with other teachers in all professional contexts
• Have language ability to at least Level C1 of the CEFR and provide accurate examples of the language points taught at Levels A1–C2 of the CEFR

Ways to develop further

Watch	Explore our Learning English playlist, which includes a range of videos on English idioms
Do	Record your own teaching and reflect on your classroom language, language models and responses to learners' questions to see if there are any areas for improvement Reflect on the accuracy and appropriateness of your online writing and identify areas for improvement Test your English – get a rough idea of your current level

Download the Cambridge English Teaching Framework – Competency statements

Download the Cambridge English Teaching Framework – Framework components

Cambridge English teaching qualifications

Our industry-leading qualifications support you to develop your teaching skills and confidence, and prove what you can do. They are mapped to the Cambridge English Teaching Framework.

Learn more about teaching qualifications