Kaplan Global Curriculum Can-Do Statements
B2: Higher Intermediate
Global Descriptor
Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialization. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
Can-do statements are adapted from the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Those descriptors marked with a (+) describe a strong performance by a student at that level.
Spoken Production
SP401 Can give clear, systematically developed descriptions and presentations, with appropriate highlighting of significant points, and relevant supporting detail. (+)
SP402 Can give clear, detailed descriptions and presentations on a wide range of subjects related to his/her field of interest, expanding and supporting ideas with subsidiary points and relevant examples.
SP403 Can give clear, detailed descriptions on a wide range of subjects related to his/her field of interest.
SP410 Can develop an argument systematically with appropriate highlighting of significant points, and relevant supporting detail. (+)
SP411 Can develop a clear argument, expanding and supporting his/her points of view at some length with subsidiary points and relevant examples.
SP412 Can construct a chain of reasoned argument.
SP413 Can explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
SP414 Can deliver announcements on most general topics with a degree of clarity, fluency and spontaneity which causes no strain or inconvenience to the listener.
SP415 Can give a clear, systematically developed presentation, with highlighting of significant points, and relevant supporting detail. (+)
SP416 Can depart spontaneously from a prepared text and follow up interesting points raised by members of the audience, often showing remarkable fluency and ease of expression. (+)
SP417 Can give a clear, prepared presentation, giving reasons in support of or against a particular point of view and giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
SP418 Can take a series of follow-up questions with a degree of fluency and spontaneity which poses no strain for either him/herself or the audience.
SP419 Can plan what is to be said and the means to say it, considering the effect on the recipient/s.
SP421Can use circumlocution and paraphrase to cover gaps in vocabulary and structure.
SP425 Can correct slips and errors if he/she becomes conscious of them or if they have led to misunderstandings.
SP426 Can make a note of ‘favourite mistakes’ and consciously monitor speech for it/them.
SP428 Can express him/herself clearly and without much sign of having to restrict what he/she wants to say. (+)
SP429 Has a sufficient range of language to be able to give clear descriptions, express viewpoints and develop arguments without much conspicuous searching for words, using some complex sentence forms to do so.
SP432 Has a good range of vocabulary for matters connected to his/ her field and most general topics. Can vary formulation to avoid frequent repetition, but lexical gaps can still cause hesitation and circumlocution.
SP435 Lexical accuracy is generally high, though some confusion and incorrect word choice does occur without hindering communication.
SP436 Good grammatical control; occasional ‘slips’ or non-systematic errors and minor flaws in sentence structure may still occur, but they are rare and can often be corrected in retrospect. (+)
SP437 Shows a relatively high degree of grammatical control. Does not make mistakes which lead to misunderstanding.
SP438 Has acquired a clear, natural, pronunciation and intonation. Phonological Control
SP439 Can develop a clear description or narrative, expanding and supporting his/her main points with relevant supporting detail and examples.
SP440 Can use a variety of linking words efficiently to mark clearly the relationships between ideas. (+)
SP441 Can use a limited number of cohesive devices to link his/her utterances into clear, coherent discourse, though there may be some ‘jumpiness’ in a long contribution.
SP442 Can communicate spontaneously, often showing remarkable fluency and ease of expression in even longer complex stretches of speech.
SP443 Can produce stretches of language with a fairly even tempo; although he/she can be hesitant as he/she searches for patterns and expressions, there are few noticeably long pauses.
SP444 Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without imposing strain on either party.
SP445 Can pass on detailed information reliably. Propositional Precision
Spoken Interaction
SI401 Can use the language fluently, accurately and effectively on a wide range of general, academic, vocational or leisure topics, marking clearly the relationships between idea-
SI402 Can communicate spontaneously with good grammatical control without much sign of having to restrict what he/she wants to say, adopting a level of formality appropriate to the circumstances. (+)
SI403 Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction, and sustained relationships with native speakers quite possible without imposing strain on either party.
SI404 Can highlight the personal significance of events and experiences, account for and sustain views clearly by providing relevant explanations and arguments.
SI406 Can understand in detail what is said to him/her in the standard spoken language even in a noisy environment.
SI409 Can engage in extended conversation on most general topics in a clearly participatory fashion, even in a noisy environment.
SI410 Can sustain relationships with native speakers without unintentionally amusing or irritating them, or requiring them to behave other than they would with a native speaker.
SI411 Can convey degrees of emotion and highlight the personal significance of events and experiences.
SI417 Can keep up with an animated discussion between native speakers. (+)
SI418 Can express his/her ideas and opinions with precision, and present and respond to complex lines of argument convincingly. (+)
SI419 Can take an active part in informal discussion in familiar contexts, commenting, putting point of view clearly, evaluating alternative proposals and making and responding to hypotheses.
SI420 Can with some effort catch much of what is said around him/her in discussion, but may find it difficult to participate effectively in discussion with several native speakers who do not modify their language in any way.
SI421 Can account for and sustain his/her opinions in discussion by providing relevant explanations, arguments and comments.
SI425 Can keep up with an animated discussion, identifying accurately arguments supporting and opposing points of view. (+)
SI426 Can express his/her ideas and opinions with precision, present and respond to complex lines of argument convincingly. (+)
SI427 Can participate actively in routine and non-routine formal discussion.
SI428 Can follow the discussion on matters related to his/her field, understand in detail the points given prominence by the speaker.
SI429 Can contribute, account for and sustain his/her opinion, evaluate alternative proposals and make and respond to hypotheses.
SI430 Can understand detailed instructions reliably. Goal-Oriented Co-operation
SI431 Can help along the progress of the work by inviting others to join in, say what they think etc.
SI432 Can outline an issue or a problem clearly, speculating about causes or consequences, and weighing advantages and disadvantages of different approaches.
SI436 Can cope linguistically to negotiate a solution to a dispute like an undeserved traffic ticket, financial responsibility for damage in a flat, for blame regarding an accident. (+)
SI437 Can outline a case for compensation, using persuasive language to demand satisfaction and state clearly the limits to any concession he/she is prepared to make. (+)
Transactions to Obtain Goods and Services
SI438
Can explain a problem which has arisen and make it clear that the provider of the service/customer must make a concession. (+)
Transactions to Obtain Goods and Services
SI444
Can understand and exchange complex information and advice on the full range of matters related to his/her occupational role. (+)
Information Exchange
SI445 Can pass on detailed information reliably. Information Exchange
SI446
Can give a clear, detailed description of how to carry out a procedure.
Information Exchange
SI447
Can synthesize and report information and arguments from a number of sources.
Information Exchange
SI454
Can carry out an effective, fluent interview, departing spontaneously from prepared questions, following up and probing interesting replies. (+)
Interviewing and Being Interviewed
SI455
Can take initiatives in an interview, expand and develop ideas with little help or prodding from an interviewer.
Interviewing and Being Interviewed
SI458
Can intervene appropriately language to do so.
in discussion, exploiting appropriate
Taking the Floor (Turntaking)
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B2 Higher Intermediate - Spoken Interaction
Tag Descriptor Category
SI459
Can initiate, maintain and end discourse appropriately with effective turntaking.
Taking the Floor (Turntaking)
SI460
Can initiate discourse, take his/her turn when appropriate and end conversation when he/she needs to, though he/she may not always do this elegantly.
Taking the Floor (Turntaking)
SI461
Can use stock phrases (e.g. ‘That’s a difficult question to answer’) to gain time and keep the turn whilst formulating what to say.
Taking the Floor (Turntaking)
SI462
Can give feedback on and follow up statements and inferences and so help the development of the discussion.
Co-operating
SI463
Can help the discussion along on familiar ground, confirming comprehension, inviting others in etc.
Co-operating
SI466
Can ask follow-up questions to check that he/she has understood what a speaker intended to say, and get clarification of ambiguous points.
Asking for Clarification
SI469
Can express him/herself confidently, clearly and politely in a formal or informal register, appropriate to the situation and person(s) concerned. (+)
Sociolinguistic Appropriateness
SI470
Can with some effort keep up with and contribute to group discussions even when speech is fast and colloquial.
Sociolinguistic Appropriateness
SI471
Can sustain relationships with native speakers without unintentionally amusing or irritating them or requiring them to behave other than they would with a native speaker.
Sociolinguistic Appropriateness
SI472
Can express him/herself appropriately in situations and avoid crass errors of formulation.
Sociolinguistic Appropriateness
SI473
Can adjust what he/she says and the means of expressing it to the situation and the recipient and adopt a level of formality appropriate to the circumstances. (+)
Flexibility
SI474
Can adjust to the changes of direction, style and emphasis normally found in conversation.
SI475 Can vary formulation of what he/she wants to say. Flexibility
Writing
W401 Can write clear, detailed texts on a variety of subjects related to his/her field of interest, synthesizing and evaluating information and arguments from a number of sources.
Overall Written Production
W402
Can write clear, detailed descriptions of real or imaginary events and experiences, marking the relationship between ideas in clear connected text, and following established conventions of the genre concerned. (+)
Creative Writing
W403
Can write clear, detailed descriptions on a variety of subjects related to his/her field of interest.
Creative Writing
W404 Can write a review of a film, book or play. Creative Writing
W406
Can write an essay or report which develops an argument systematically with appropriate highlighting of significant points and relevant supporting detail. (+)
Reports and Essays
W407 Can evaluate different ideas or solutions to a problem. (+) Reports and Essays
W408
Can write an essay or report which develops an argument, giving reasons in support of or against a particular point of view and explaining the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
Reports and Essays
W409
Can synthesize information and arguments from a number of sources.
Reports and Essays
W410
Can express news and views effectively in writing, and relate to those of others.
Overall Written Interaction
W412
Can write emails and letters conveying degrees of emotion and highlighting the personal significance of events and experiences and commenting on the correspondent’s news and views.
Correspondence
W414 As B1 Notes, Messages and Forms
W416
Can summarize a wide range of factual and imaginative texts, commenting on and discussing contrasting points of view and the main themes.
Processing Text
W417
Can summarize extracts from news items, interviews or documentaries containing opinion, argument and discussion.
Processing Text
W418 Can summarize the plot and sequence of events in a film or play. Processing Text
W419
Can produce clearly intelligible continuous writing which follows standard layout and paragraphing conventions.
Orthographic Control
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B2 Higher Intermediate - Writing
Tag Descriptor Category
W420
Spelling and punctuation are reasonably accurate but may show signs of mother tongue influence.
Orthographic Control
W421
Has a good range of vocabulary for matters connected to his/ her field and most general topics. Can vary formulation to avoid frequent repetition, but lexical gaps can still cause hesitation and circumlocution.
Vocabulary Range
W424
Lexical accuracy is generally high, though some confusion and incorrect word choice does occur without hindering communication.
Vocabulary Control
W425
Good grammatical control; occasional ‘slips’ or non-systematic errors and minor flaws in sentence structure may still occur, but they are rare and can often be corrected in retrospect. (+)
Grammatical Accuracy
W426
Shows a relatively high degree of grammatical control. Does not make mistakes which lead to misunderstanding.
Grammatical Accuracy
W427
Can use a variety of linking words efficiently to mark clearly the relationships between ideas. (+)
Coherence and Cohesion
W428
Can use a limited number of cohesive devices to link his/her utterances into clear, coherent discourse, though there may be some ‘jumpiness’ in a long contribution.
Coherence and Cohesion
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B2 Higher Intermediate - Writing
Listening
Tag Descriptor Category
L401
Can understand standard spoken language, live or broadcast, on both familiar and unfamiliar topics normally encountered in personal, social, academic or vocational life. Only extreme background noise, inadequate discourse structure and/or idiomatic usage influences the ability to understand. (+)
Overall Listening Comprehension
L402
Can understand the main ideas of propositionally and linguistically complex speech on both concrete and abstract topics delivered in a standard dialect, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialization.
Overall Listening Comprehension
L403
Can follow extended speech and complex lines of argument provided the topic is reasonably familiar, and the direction of the talk is sign–posted by explicit markers.
Overall Listening Comprehension
L404
Can keep up with an animated conversation between native speakers. (+)
Understanding Conversation Between Native Speakers
L405
Can with some effort catch much of what is said around him/her, but may find it difficult to participate effectively in discussion with several native speakers who do not modify their language in any way.
Understanding Conversation Between Native Speakers
L406
Can follow the essentials of lectures, talks and reports and other forms of academic/professional presentation which are propositionally and linguistically complex.
Listening as a Member of a Live Audience
L408
Can understand announcements and messages on concrete and abstract topics spoken in standard dialect at normal speed.
Listening to Announcements and Instructions
L410
Can understand recordings in standard dialect likely to be encountered in social, professional or academic life and identify speaker viewpoints and attitudes as well as the information content. (+)
Listening to Audio Media and Recordings
L411
Can understand most radio documentaries and most other recorded or broadcast audio material delivered in standard dialect and can identify the speaker’s mood, tone etc.
Listening to Audio Media and Recordings
L412 Can understand most TV news and current affairs programmes. Watching TV and Film
L413
Can understand documentaries, live interviews, talk shows, plays and the majority of films in standard dialect.
Watching TV and Film
L415
Can use a variety of strategies to achieve comprehension, including listening for main points; checking comprehension by using contextual clues.
Identifying Cues and Inferring
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B2 Higher Intermediate - Listening
Tag Descriptor Category
L417
Can understand a clearly structured lecture on a familiar subject, and can take notes on points which strike him/her as important, even though he/she tends to concentrate on the words themselves and therefore to miss some information.
Note-taking (Lectures, seminars etc.)
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B2 Higher Intermediate - Listening
Reading
Tag Descriptor Category
R401
Can read with a large degree of independence, adapting style and speed of reading to different texts and purposes, and using appropriate reference sources selectively. Has a broad active reading vocabulary, but may experience some difficulty with low frequency idioms.
Overall Reading Comprehension
R403
Can read correspondence relating to his/her field of interest and readily grasp the essential meaning.
Reading Correspondence
R405
Can scan quickly through long and complex texts, locating relevant details.
Reading for Orientation
R406
Can quickly identify the content and relevance of news items, articles and reports on a wide range of professional topics, deciding whether closer study is worthwhile.
Reading for Orientation
R408
Can obtain information, ideas and opinions from highly specialized sources within his/her field. (+)
Reading for Information and Argument
R409
Can understand specialized articles outside his/her field, provided he/she can use a dictionary occasionally to confirm his/her interpretation of terminology. (+)
Reading for Information and Argument
R410
Can understand articles and reports concerned with contemporary problems in which the writers adopt particular stances or viewpoints.
Reading for Information and Argument
R411
Can understand lengthy, complex instructions in his/her field, including details on conditions and warnings, provided he/she can reread difficult sections.
Reading Instructions
R413
Can use a variety of strategies to achieve comprehension, including reading for main points; checking comprehension by using contextual clues.
Identifying Cues and Inferring
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B2 Higher Intermediate - Reading
Vocabulary
Tag Descriptor Category
V411 Describing past experiences and storytelling Functions and Notions
V412 Describing feelings, emotions and attitudes Functions and Notions
V413 Describing hopes and plans Functions and Notions
V414 Giving precise information Functions and Notions
V415 Expressing abstract ideas Functions and Notions
V416 Expressing certainty, probability and doubt Functions and Notions
V417 Generalizing and qualifying Functions and Notions
V418 Synthesizing, evaluating and glossing info Functions and Notions
V419 Speculating and hypothesizing Functions and Notions
V420 Expressing opinions Functions and Notions
V421 Expressing agreement and disagreement Functions and Notions
V422 Expressing reaction Functions and Notions
V423 Critiquing and reviewing Functions and Notions
V424 Developing an argument Functions and Notions
V431 Prefixes and suffixes Lexis
V451 Contrasting opinions (e.g. on the one hand) Lexis
V452 Summarizing exponents (e.g. briefly, all in all) Lexis
V453 Collocation Lexis
V454 Colloquial language Lexis
V472 Education Topics
V473 Film Topics
V474 Books and literature Topics
V475 News, lifestyles and current affairs Topics
V476 Media Topics
V477 Arts Topics
V479 Technical, legal and business language Topics
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B2 Higher Intermediate - Vocabulary
Grammar
Tag Descriptor Category
G402 Linkers: Sequential - Past time Discourse Markers
G403 Connecting words expressing cause and effect, contrast etc. Discourse Markers
G404 Linkers: Although, in spite of, despite Discourse Markers
G407 Markers to structure formal speech Discourse Markers
G417 Simple past Past
G418 Past continuous Past
G419 Used to Past
G420 Would expressing habit in the past Past
G421 Past perfect Past
G422 Past perfect continuous Past
G426 Future time: Will and going to Future
G427 Future continuous Future
G428 Future perfect Future
G429 Future perfect continuous Future
G431 Present perfect continuous Present Perfect
G433 Gerunds Gerunds and Infinitives
G434 Infinitives Gerunds and Infinitives
G439 Mixed conditionals Conditionals
G440 Wish, if only, and regrets Conditionals
G442 Extended phrasal verbs Phrasal Verbs
G444 All passive forms Passives
G445 Reported speech Other Verb Forms
G446 Relative clauses Other Verb Forms
G459 Should have / might have / etc. Modals: Past
G460 Can't have / needn't have Modals: Past
G477 Articles with abstract nouns Articles
G490 (Adjectives and) adverbs Adverbs
G493 Attitudinal adverbs Adverbs
G499 Collocation of intensifiers Intensifiers
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B2 Higher Intermediate - Grammar
Pronunciation
Tag Descriptor Category
P401
Can reduce vowel sounds to produce weak forms and contractions in verb patterns e.g. I’d been going ...
Production
P402
Can produce correct word stress for a range of adjectives and adverbs.
Production
P403
Can produce emphasis on adverbs and time markers in a sentence and at discourse level (telling an anecdote for example).
Production
P404 Can extend their pitch range to express attitude. Production
Can apply bottom up processing skills and identify form and P410
meaning of a variety of tenses and conditional structures in rapid speech.
B2 Higher Intermediate - Pronunciation
Recognition
P411 Can recognize attitude through intonation. Recognition
P412
Can pick out key content words in natural rapid speech to support listening skills.
Recognition
P413 Can identify discourse markers in rapid natural speech. Recognition
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Study Skills
Tag Descriptor Category
SS401 Plans his/her time, and follows a study schedule. Study Skills
SS402
Organizes to review.
his/her notes and worksheets from class so they are easy
Study Skills
SS403
Uses a vocabulary notebook to record and organize new lexical items and sets, recording as much information as possible about new words (e.g. meaning, pronunciation, parts of speech, collocation, example sentences, similar words, opposites etc.).
Study Skills
SS404
Reviews and tests him/herself on new words regularly and repeatedly.
Study Skills
SS405 Tries to use new words as often as possible. Study Skills
SS406 Uses an English–English dictionary. Study Skills
SS407 Uses the Study Centre and Study Clubs to practise his/her English. Study Skills
SS408 Reads appropriately graded English readers from the Study Centre. Study Skills
SS409
Reads a variety of texts in English (e.g., newspaper, magazines, websites, brochures), even if he/she does not understand everything.
Study Skills
SS410
Thinks about what kind of reading skills he/she needs to use when reading a text.
Study Skills
SS411
Watches TV and films in English, even if he/she doesn’t understand everything.
Study Skills
SS412 Listens to the radio, music and podcasts in English. Study Skills
SS413
Guesses the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary in films, songs, books, newspaper articles etc., then checks in an English–English dictionary later.
Study Skills
SS414 Practises sounds he/she finds difficult. Study Skills
SS415
Sets targets for language learning and then assesses whether or not he/she has achieved them.
Study Skills
SS416 Asks questions when he/she doesn’t understand. Study Skills
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B2 Higher Intermediate - Study Skills
Tag Descriptor Category
SS417
Thinks about how he/she likes to learn and chooses activities that he/she enjoys and finds useful.
Study Skills
SS418
Reviews lesson.
the new language from the previous lesson before the next
Study Skills
SS419
Uses use.
a grammar reference and practice book he/she finds easy to
Study Skills
SS420
Monitors his/her speech and writing for regular mistakes and tries to correct them.
Study Skills
SS421 Asks people for feedback on his/her pronunciation. Study Skills
SS422 Records him/herself speaking English and listens back to it. Study Skills
SS423 Talks in English outside the classroom as much as possible. Study Skills
SS424 Writes something in English every day. Study Skills
SS425 Uses the three stages of writing – planning, editing and drafting. Study Skills
SS426
Keeps a learner journal where he/she reflects on what he/she has learnt recently. SS427
Talks to other people about how he/she learns English and what tips they have.
SS428 Asks for feedback from teachers, other students and other native speakers he/she meets.
SS429 Is prepared to try new things, make mistakes and learn from them. Study Skills