Mí nombre es George
mi casa es verde
mi cuatro es verde
la casa tiene tres cuatro
mi casa bonita.

RATIONALE FOR RATING
This example of Novice-Level writing is a list of incomplete statements showing a writer who can communicate minimally in the language in short, formulaic expressions. The writer produces practiced material and familiar words or phrases to express a very simple message. Even in so doing, the writer confuses familiar vocabulary with other common words (cuatro/cuarto), and resorts to phrases rather than complete sentences (mi casa bonita). The text shows lack of control of basic spelling and writing conventions. The passage may be difficult to comprehend by readers who are not accustomed to dealing with this type of language learner.

The speaker produces a short list of memorized words on the highly predictable topic of food. When attempting to provide additional information beyond the list, there is little evidence of her ability to control basic sentence structure. Although the speaker communicates clearly when providing a list, she is unable to deliver a full message when attempting to create with the language.

This sample shows a speaker at the Novice Level who communicates briefly, by using memorized structures (trabajo… trabajo…) with some references to time and days of the week. She speaks in chunks of language, primarily with memorized material. When asked to provide additional information on time, she limits herself to a one-word response.

This sample consists of true aural cognates (broccoli, zucchini), and formulaic expressions (Me gusta la ensalada, muy rico) that are highly contextualized and highly predictable. Novice-level listeners are able to understand words and phrases from the simple statements of the passage, and they are aided by the rate of speech which is slow, but natural. Listeners rely heavily on factors other than the message itself to derive meaning and the very title of the sample (Ensalada para una vida sana) that serves to activate background knowledge and create an anticipatory framework for listening comprehension.

Here is my recommended way to study flashcards….
Step 1: Look at Spanish words and say English words out loud
Step 2: Look at English words and say Spanish words out loud
Step 3: Look at English words and write out Spanish words (you can do this on scratch paper or in an old notebook)
**You may move onto the next step when you have mastered the step you are on.