Criterial Features in L2 English

This book offers insights into defining English learning levels through criterial features, enhancing the teaching and assessment of L2 English proficiency.

This volume, Criterial Features in L2 English, presents a comprehensive exploration of the theoretical and empirical foundations necessary for defining English language learning levels through the lens of 'criterial features.' This innovative concept is vital for the learning, teaching, and assessment of English as a second language. The research underpinning this work is derived from the English Profile Programme at Cambridge University, utilizing insights from the Cambridge Learner Corpus to inform its findings.

The authors delve into the extent of learners' knowledge regarding grammar, vocabulary, and usage conventions across various levels of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). Currently, these levels are represented through functional 'Can Do' statements. However, the authors argue that a more precise understanding can be achieved through the analysis of tagged and parsed corpora, which helps in identifying criterial features that indicate L2 proficiency at each CEFR level.

By identifying these criterial features, Criterial Features in L2 English aims to enhance the efficiency of presenting grammatical and lexical properties to learners, tailoring instruction to their specific proficiency levels. This approach not only improves the learning experience but also provides educators with a clearer framework for teaching English as a second language effectively.