Dra lexile levels


Comparing Lexile and DRA Levels

There are a variety of tests that can be done with students to determine their reading level, one of which is a Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA). If you are an educator or parent dealing with a reader that has been assigned a DRA level, and are looking to move them into the Lexile® Framework for Reading, then it is ideal to understand both.

The DRA test is usually done annually or semi-annually and is an intensive test that measures nine categories of reading behavior, as well as the main types of reading errors. The system itself was developed in the 1980s, with revisions done in the early 2000s, and measures several skill sets. The tests are focused on phonetic awareness, alphabetic principle/phonics and fluency.

Once completed, tests are evaluated and scored, with grading in numeric for children reading independently and alphanumeric for very early readers – ranging from A1 up to 80.

The Lexile system offers more regular assessment of a student’s reading ability, and allows you to track their improvement as they read. The grading is different, but you can accurately correlate a student’s particular level using a conversion chart, such as the one below from Scotland Elementary.

GradesLexile LevelDRA Level
KBR-200A-1
K-1BR-2002-4
1220-5006-12
1-2450-50014,16
2450-62018,20
2-3550-62024,28
3550-79030
3-4770-79034,38
4770-91040
4-5860-91050
5860-98050
5-6950-104060

Introducing LightSail as a key component in student literacy development allows for educators to remain updated on student progress, while also offering incredible flexibility for readers. Not only are readers automatically assigned ideal reading material for their particular Lexile level, they also have the opportunity to choose their own books to read, keeping things more personal and interesting as they progress their reading ability.

LightSail Education is a comprehensive Lexile and standards-aligned, literacy platform and digital e-book library.  Including multimodal learning functionality and featuring books* from leading publishers, LightSail holistically assesses and nurtures each student on their reading and writing-to-learn journey, throughout elementary, middle, and high school.

*LightSail offers a 2,000 or a 6,000 title bundle with its student subscriptions. Other titles are available for individual purchase. Request a demo.

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Leveling Chart | Scholastic Guided Reading Program for the Classroom

Use the grid below to shop by Guided Reading, Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA), and Lexile® Levels. This chart includes Lexile level recommendations and may also be used as a general leveling guide.

Click on links to shop the Teacher Store!

Grade Scholastic Guided
Reading Level
DRA Level Lexile® Levels

Grade Scholastic Guided
Reading Level
DRA Level Lexile® Levels
Kindergarten
A–1
2
3–4
6
Beginning Reader
1
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
A–1
2
3–4
6
8
10
12
14
16
190L-530L
2
E
F
G
H
I
J-K
L-M
N
8
10
12
14
16
16–18
20–24
28–30
420L-650L
3
J-K
L-M
N
O-P
Q
16–18
20–24
28–30
34–38
40
520L-820L
4
M
N
O-P
Q-R
S-T
20–24
28–30
34–38
40
40–50
740L-940L
5
Q-R
S-V
W
40
40-50
60
830L-1010L
6
T-V
W-Y
Z
50
60
70
925L–1070L

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Levels of learning French

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January 8, 2018

When a person starts learning a foreign language, he usually sets himself a specific goal - why he needs a language. Someone wants to communicate on a tourist trip without an interpreter, someone needs to conduct business negotiations with partners in their native language, there are people who just want to read foreign literature in the original source. In each of the described cases, a different level of language proficiency is required. Therefore, the process of learning any foreign language is divided into certain stages (levels) in order of increasing complexity and increasing vocabulary. The level is determined by three criteria - understanding (reading and listening), speaking (dialogue and monologue) and writing.

Level A1 Débutant (Elementary level). This level allows you to communicate on the simplest everyday topics (the ability to introduce yourself, tell about yourself and your family, express simple requests, ask simple questions), maintain the simplest dialogue. Phonetics and basic French grammar are also taught at this level.

Level A2 Pre-Intermédiaire (Elementary advanced level). The training program is complicated by increasing the vocabulary and expanding the topics of communication (travelling, shopping, looking for a job). New grammatical rules are learned, such as the future tense of verbs and comparative forms of adjectives. The skills of understanding simple and uncomplicated speech in French are developed, the skills of writing simple letters and filling out standard documents are acquired.

Level A2 is very important, so it is sometimes divided into two. In this case, A2 is called Débutant-2, and the A2+ stage is called Pre-Intermédiaire.

Level B1 Intermédiaire (Intermediate level). There is a gradual transition from template topics to independent use of the language through the use of already studied turns and lexical constructions in colloquial speech. The vocabulary is expanding. A person begins to freely understand speech of any subject, easily reads adapted literature, watches French films and TV shows.

Level B2 Intermédiaire Supérieur (Intermediate advanced level). The skills of building complex grammatical and lexical turns of the French language are developed. At this stage of learning, it becomes possible to express one's thoughts in a foreign language in any form, communication skills increase - fluent speech, free reading, conversations and dialogues on professional topics.

For the purpose of a deeper study of the language, the B2 level is sometimes also divided into two levels - B2 and B2 +. In this case, there is an additional development of communication skills due to the expansion of topics and a corresponding increase in vocabulary.

Level C1 Préavancé (Professional level). This is such a degree of language proficiency at which it becomes possible to read French literature in primary sources, communicate freely with a native speaker, understand his speech, use specific phrases and lexical idioms of the French language in his colloquial speech.

Level C2 Avancé (Highest professional level). The final stage in learning French. This level assumes fluency in the language, the ability to talk on any chosen topic, a complete understanding of what is read and said. Level C2 allows you to work as a translator or teacher.

The level of language proficiency is determined by passing qualifying exams or tests, which are conducted according to the methods developed in the European Union.

The DELF exam (Diplome d'etudes en langue Française) allows you to test your knowledge of French at levels A1 to B2. For levels C1 and C2, there is a special exam for checking in-depth study of the French language - DALF (Diplome approfondi en langue Française). According to the results of the DELF and DALF exams, international certificates are issued, which are recognized by all countries of the world. This is the best way to prove your knowledge of French. In addition, a certificate of level C1 and above allows its holder to study at any French university without passing a language exam.

In some cases (obtaining a work visa, immigration, etc.) it is required to assess the level of a person's knowledge of the French language at the current time. For this, there are tests such as TCF, TEF and TEFAQ. Test results are valid for a certain period of time (usually 1 or 2 years), after which language proficiency has to be confirmed again.


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Review of modern textbooks for preparing for Cambridge exams ??

PET exam

Preliminary English test corresponds to the level of pre-intermediate and intermediate or b1 according to the European classification.

Macmillan Ready for PET

Pros
The manual covers all the skills tested on the exam, allows you to quickly master the format of tasks and strategies for their implementation.

The material is divided into topics that are suitable for both adults and children from 12 years old with good writing and speaking skills.

In each topic:

  • lexical part in different formats - pictures, crosswords, mini-texts
  • materials in exam format - texts and audio for practicing vocabulary

Cons
There is no workbook, so there are few tasks for working out lexical material.

Applications
Disc with additional tests.

Pros for any task

Laser B1 and Laser B1+

Pros

High level of grammar and vocabulary - these textbooks are suitable for preparing for the PET exam for the highest score. The Laser B1+ can even be used for the next level exam, the FCE, if the goal is not to get a perfect score.

The textbook offers many ways to study and consolidate the material: crossword puzzles, choice assignments, connecting words with definitions. Vocabulary is practiced along with other skills, such as grammar and listening.

Applications

  • workbook with vocabulary, grammar, reading and listening exercises;
  • disc with interactive tasks in grammar, reading, writing and listening.

FCE

First english certificate corresponds to upper-intermediate and b2 levels according to the European classification.

Laser B2

Pros
The textbook is suitable for preparing step by step to pass the FCE for the highest score.

It has all types of written exam items: informal and formal writing, essay, report, article.

Good presentation of lexical material: phrasal verbs and set expressions are repeated in different variations three or four times.

Cons
Little attention is paid to oral speech. Tasks for the development of this skill are not included in every lesson, there are no preparatory exercises.

Applications

  • workbook with exercises to reinforce vocabulary, grammar, reading and listening skills;
  • disc with interactive tasks in grammar, reading, writing and listening.

Ready for FCE

Pros
The manual from the first to the last page is tailored for the exam. There are practically no simplified texts, abbreviated materials, training exercises for listening and reading in it. The textbook consists of difficult exam tasks, so choosing it, the student must be ready for hard work.

Minuses
Not suitable for gradual learning from simple to complex.

Applications
Workbook with exercises to reinforce vocabulary, grammar, reading and listening skills.

CAE

Сertificate in advanced english corresponds to level c1 according to the European classification.

Complete Advanced

Pros
Very concise and structured guide. The written part is well developed, there are many exercises for practicing connecting words, text style, using synonyms. Examples of written work for each task are given.

Minuses
Suitable for preparing for the CAE exam for grades B and C. To get the highest grade - A, the level of tasks is not high enough.

The speaking part requires the teacher to have a clear understanding of the features of the exam. Although there are a certain number of useful oral expressions in the textbook, the nuances and details are not understood.

Applications

  • workbook with vocabulary, grammar, reading and listening exercises;
  • disk with tasks on all topics.

Upstream Advanced

Pros
The authors offer a very thorough study of the writing part. An article, a review, a formal letter, a report - each task is analyzed thoroughly and accompanied by a large number of preliminary exercises. There are many idioms, rare phrasal verbs and set expressions.

If you carefully work through all the tasks of this textbook, there is every chance to get a CPE - Certificate of Proficiency in English. It is awarded if you scored above A on the CAE exam.

Minuses
The most difficult textbook for the CAE exam. Lexical material is given only once - there are no exercises for working out.

Applications
Workbook with additional material not related to textbook materials.

IELTS

International english language testing system.

Macmillan: IELTS Foundation and IELTS Graduation

Pros
To study the manuals in this series, you do not need to first raise your English to the level of Upper-Intermediate. Even if you have a Pre-Intermediate, you can immediately start preparing for IELTS. True, in this case, the help of a teacher will be required to fill in the gaps in vocabulary, grammar and writing.

Minuses
Additional work is required, such as exercises to develop creative thinking, build logical connectives and study special connecting phrases that need to be used in the essay and in the oral part.

The teacher can additionally use the IELTS advantage writing skills manual from Macmillan in the classroom. It explains in great detail all the features of written assignments, there is an analysis of all parts of writing, both the academic and general modules.

Applications
Workbooks with additional exercises that do not repeat textbook material.


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