Performance band descriptions for Italian Continuers

Band 6

The typical performance in this band:

• maintains communication by clarifying, justifying and elaborating on ideas appropriately on known topics
• demonstrates an extensive knowledge of language structures, vocabulary, idiom, grammar and syntax
• demonstrates an ability to use various written text types proficiently
• demonstrates a comprehensive global understanding of spoken and written texts and the ability to identify specific detail by summarising, interpreting and evaluating ideas and information
• uses Italian accurately and creatively to communicate a range of ideas and opinions appropriate to audience and purpose.

Band 5

The typical performance in this band:

• maintains communication through the exchange of relevant information and ideas expressed coherently with occasional hesitation and some imperfections
• demonstrates a thorough knowledge of language structures, vocabulary, idiom, grammar and syntax
• demonstrates an ability to use various written text types competently
• demonstrates a good global understanding of spoken and written texts and the ability to identify most specific detail by summarising and interpreting ideas and information
• uses Italian accurately to communicate a range of ideas and opinions appropriate to audience and purpose.

Band 4

The typical performance in this band:

• maintains communication with some hesitation and some inaccuracies expressing a limited range of ideas
• demonstrates an adequate knowledge of language structures, vocabulary, idiom and syntax
• demonstrates an ability to use various written text types adequately
• demonstrates a global understanding of spoken and written texts and the ability to identify some specific information
• conveys information with some regard to context, purpose and audience.

Band 3

The typical performance in this band:

• maintains communication with simple structures but with repetition, some dependence on anglicisms, frequent pauses and errors
• demonstrates a limited understanding of grammatical concepts using simple language structures and vocabulary with frequent grammatical and idiom errors
• demonstrates an ability to use some text types
• demonstrates an elementary global understanding of spoken and written text and the ability to identify some relevant information.

Band 2

The typical performance in this band:

• communicates orally using single, well-rehearsed phrases or with recourse to English vocabulary and syntax resulting in a laboured communication
• demonstrates a limited range of vocabulary and syntax and no knowledge of idiom
• demonstrates an elementary understanding of spoken and written texts.

Band 1

Performance reported as Band 1 indicates that the minimum standard expected was not demonstrated.