Language ability

This category 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), and 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.

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 their learners make.
• Interact with other teachers in simple and routine professional contexts.
• Have language ability to at least Level A2 of the CEFR and can provide accurate examples of the language points taught at Levels A1 and A2 of the CEFR.

Ways to develop further

Watch	English Grammar in Use: Video Tips English Language Learning Tips – Tenses Part 1 Part 2
Read	About Words – the Cambridge Dictionaries Online blog Authentic material like news websites
Do	Record your own teaching and identify some errors in your own classroom language, asking a more experienced colleague for advice if necessary. Go online and join an online community of teachers and take part in a discussion forum. Test your English – get a rough idea of your current level of English.
Study	One way to improve your English is to take a Cambridge English Qualification. You can also try one of the following courses: Grammar for Teachers: Language Awareness English for the Teacher

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 their 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 can 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 English Grammar in Use: Video Tips
Read	About Words – the Cambridge Dictionaries Online blog Authentic material like news websites
Do	Record your own teaching and identify errors in your own classroom language. Work on one or more of these areas and record your own teaching again to see if there has been any improvement. Regularly communicate with other professionals online and re-read what you write to identify errors in your writing. Test your English – get a rough idea of your current level of English.
Study	One way to improve your English is to take a Cambridge English Qualification. You can also try one of the following courses: Grammar for Teachers: Language Awareness English for the Teacher

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 their learners make.
• Interact with other teachers in most professional contexts.
• Have language ability to at least Level B2 of the CEFR and can provide accurate examples of the language points taught at Levels A1, A2, B1 and B2 of the CEFR.

Ways to develop further

Watch	Language Clips – Idioms
Read	About Words – the Cambridge Dictionaries Online blog Authentic material like news websites
Do	Record your own teaching and identify ways in which you respond to learners' questions or unexpected situations. Evaluate their effectiveness for students' learning. Regularly communicate with other professionals online and compare your writing with that of others. Test your English – get a rough idea of your current level of English.
Study	One way to improve your English is to take a Cambridge English Qualification.

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 their learners make.
• Interact with other teachers in all professional contexts.
• Have language ability to at least Level C1 of the CEFR and can provide accurate examples of the language points taught at Levels A1-C2 of the CEFR.

Ways to develop further

Watch	Language Clips – Idioms
Read	About Words – the Cambridge Dictionaries Online blog Authentic material like news websites
Do	Record your own teaching and reflect on your own 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 of English.
Study	One way to improve your English is to take a Cambridge English Qualification.

Download the Cambridge English Teaching Framework – Competency statements

Download the Cambridge English Teaching Framework – Framework components

Cambridge English teaching qualifications

We provide industry-leading qualifications that prove what teachers of English can do. These qualifications are mapped to the Cambridge English Teaching Framework, and support teachers every step of the way by helping them build the skills and confidence they need to teach English effectively.

Learn more about teaching qualifications