The ASC English Achievement Scale
A clear, step-by-step roadmap of your English progress, from beginner to advanced.
At ASC English, we believe that learning English is a step-by-step journey. To help students, families, and sponsors clearly understand progress, ASC uses a six-level Achievement Scale, ranging from beginner to advanced, along with specialized courses in TOEFL Preparation and Business English.
This scale describes what students can do at each level in reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar, and pronunciation. Each level has measurable Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs), so students know exactly how their skills are developing and what they will be able to achieve by the time they complete the level.
How the Scale Works
Every level builds on the last so students, families, and sponsors always know where progress is heading.
Beginner / High Beginner
Students learn to recognize the English alphabet, high-frequency words, and basic conversations, and express basic ideas clearly.
Low Intermediate / Intermediate
Students expand their vocabulary and grammar, allowing them to engage in more complex communication. They can understand longer texts, write structured paragraphs, and participate in discussions for a variety of daily purposes.
High Intermediate / Advanced
Students achieve fluency and flexibility in English for academic (Level 6 only), professional, and real-world settings. At this stage, learners can write detailed essays, comprehend demanding texts and lectures, and communicate effectively at near-native proficiency.
Specialized Tracks
Two focused programs sit alongside the Achievement Scale for students with specific goals.
TOEFL Preparation
Focuses on strategies and practice for the Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing sections of the TOEFL exam, helping students achieve the test scores required for university admission.
Business English
Builds advanced communication skills for professional contexts, including presentations, meetings, and written reports, with emphasis on fluency, accuracy, and clarity in workplace settings.
Why This Matters
The Achievement Scale ensures that progress is transparent and meaningful. Students, parents, and sponsors can see how each level builds toward the next, with clear benchmarks along the way. Whether the goal is university admission, professional advancement, or daily communication, ASC's scale provides a roadmap for success.
ASC Achievement Scale: Levels One to Six
Select a level to see the Student Learning Outcomes across all six skill areas.
Reading
At this level, learners can recognize the English alphabet and high frequency vocabulary words, enabling them to correctly extract overall meaning from common, everyday, textual sources.
Writing
At this level, learners can form the English alphabet and use and spell high frequency vocabulary words, enabling them to meaningfully express basic ideas by correctly using common, everyday words and expressions in writing.
Listening
At this level, learners can recognize the English alphabet and high frequency vocabulary words, enabling them to correctly extract overall meaning from common, everyday, spoken sources.
Speaking
At this level, learners can say the English alphabet and high frequency vocabulary words, enabling them to meaningfully express basic ideas by correctly producing common, everyday words and expressions in speech.
Grammar
At this level, learners can understand the basic structures of English in the context of simple grammar based on models, ways to express routine activities, formulaic interactions, and describing experiences.
Pronunciation
At this level, learners can understand and produce the various sounds, vowels and consonants, that exist in English as well as the variations that occur, productively and receptively, in stress, rhythm, intonation, or lack thereof in basic interaction.
ASC Business English Program Achievement Scale: Levels One to Four
Select a level to see the Student Learning Outcomes for professional communication skills.
Reading
Read short business emails, memos, and basic workplace notices for key information.
Writing
Write short professional emails, meeting confirmations, and simple internal messages.
Listening
Understand short workplace conversations, voicemail messages, and introductions.
Speaking
Introduce yourself professionally, answer basic work questions, and use polite requests.
Grammar
Use present, past, and future forms accurately in common workplace contexts.
Pronunciation
Produce clear pronunciation of common business vocabulary, names, and numbers.
TOEFL Preparation and Business English (Stand-Alone Course)
Skill-by-skill outcomes for students who take these specialized programs on their own.
Reading
Practice reading academic passages, identifying main ideas, inferences, vocabulary in context, and rhetorical purpose under timed conditions.
Read reports, proposals, and industry articles, identifying key arguments, data, and recommendations.
Writing
Write integrated and independent essays with clear thesis statements, organized paragraphs, and appropriate academic style.
Write professional emails, reports, and proposals with clear structure, appropriate tone, and workplace conventions.
Listening
Take structured notes on academic lectures and conversations, and answer questions on main ideas, details, and speaker attitude.
Follow meetings, presentations, and negotiations, and take notes on key decisions and action items.
Speaking
Respond to independent and integrated TOEFL tasks with organized answers under strict time limits.
Present, participate in meetings, and negotiate with clarity, fluency, and professional register.
Grammar
Use accurate, academic grammar in speaking and writing responses, including complex sentence structures.
Use professional grammatical structures accurately, including modals, conditionals, and reported speech.
Pronunciation
Speak clearly and intelligibly with appropriate stress, rhythm, and intonation for TOEFL speaking tasks.
Speak with clear, professional pronunciation appropriate for meetings, calls, and presentations.
Get a Customized Academic Plan
Your path to college, simplified.
We will assess your English skills and goals to create a plan that takes you to your dream college, all without taking the TOEFL. It is all about your goals and the easiest way to achieve them with our help.
Skip the TOEFL, Prepare for College
Your journey with perks.
Start your journey without the TOEFL and enjoy a special three-month discount of $375 off with ASC English. Completing our program puts you on the fast track to your dream college through our college partnerships.
Contact and Enroll
Visit us at either Boston campus, or send us a quick message and we will help you take the next step.
Apply via our online form, by email, or in person at either Boston campus. Our team is happy to guide you through placement, enrollment, and visa questions.