34 NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do Statements Interpretive Reading
NOVICE LOW
I can recognize a few letters or characters. I can identify a few memorized words and phrases when I read.
I can recognize a few letters or characters. I can connect some words, phrases, or characters to
I can alphabetize a few names or words. their meanings.
I can match a character in a headline to a supporting I can recognize some cities on a map.
visual. I can identify some menu items.
I can _________________________________________ I can _________________________________________
NOVICE MID
I can recognize some letters or characters. I can understand some
learned or memorized words and phrases when I read.
I can recognize words, phrases, and characters with the I can recognize words, phrases, and characters when I
help of visuals. associate them with things I already know.
I can recognize entrance and exit signs. I can check off words or phrases on a to-do list, grocery
I can identify family member words on a family tree. list, or scavenger hunt list.
I can identify healthy nutritional categories. I can identify labeled aisles in a supermarket.
I can identify the simple labels on a science-related graph. I can choose a restaurant from an online list of
local eateries.
I can _________________________________________
I can identify scores from sports teams because I
recognize team names and logos.
I can identify artists, titles, and music genres from iTunes.
I can identify the names of classes and instructors in a
school schedule.
I can _________________________________________
Interpretive Reading NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do Statements 35
NOVICE HIGH
I can understand familiar words, phrases, and sentences within short and simple texts related to everyday life.
I can sometimes understand the main idea of what I have read.
I can usually understand short simple messages on I can sometimes understand the main idea of published
familiar topics. materials.
I can understand basic familiar information from an ad. I can distinguish a birthday wish from a note expressing
I can sometimes identify the purpose of a brochure. thanks.
I can identify information from a movie brochure I can identify destinations and major attractions on a
or poster. travel brochure.
I can understand simple information in a text message I can locate places on city maps.
from a friend. I can _________________________________________
I can _________________________________________
I can understand simple everyday notices in public places
I can sometimes understand short, simple descriptions on topics that are familiar to me.
with the help of pictures or graphs. I can understand a simple public transportation schedule.
I can understand simple captions under photos. I can locate notices on where to park.
I can understand very basic information from a I can understand notices that tell of street or
real estate ad. metro closings.
I can understand website descriptions of clothing items to I can understand a stores hours of operation.
make an appropriate purchase. I can read the labels on a recycling bin.
I can identify the categories on a graph. I can _________________________________________
I can _________________________________________
INTERMEDIATE LOW
I can understand the main idea of short and simple texts when the topic is familiar.
I can understand messages in which the writer tells or asks I can identify some simple information needed on forms.
me about topics of personal interest. I can understand what is asked for on a customs form.
I can understand what an e-pal writes about interests and I can understand what is asked for on a hotel registration
daily routines. form.
I can understand a simple posting on a friends social I can understand what is asked for on an ID card.
media page.
I can _________________________________________
I can understand a text from a friend about our plans.
I can understand if a friend accepts or rejects an I can identify some information from news media.
invitation. I can understand personal information about sports stars
I can _________________________________________ from photo captions.
I can understand some information on job postings.
I can understand basic information on weather forecasts.
I can _________________________________________
36 NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do Statements Interpretive Reading
INTERMEDIATE MID
I can understand the main idea of texts related to everyday life and personal interests or studies.
I can understand simple personal questions. I can understand the main idea of what I read for personal
I can understand the questions asked on a career enjoyment.
preference survey. I can understand updates in entertainment magazines.
I can understand what is asked for on a simple, popular I can understand postings in blogs on familiar topics.
magazine questionnaire.
I can understand postcards from friends.
I can understand the personal questions to complete a
I can_________________________________________
profile on a social media site.
I can_________________________________________ I can read simple written exchanges between other people.
I can understand the main idea of personal messages
I can understand basic information in ads,
exchanged in chat rooms.
announcements, and other simple texts.
I can understand the main idea of a biographical
I can understand the information in birth and wedding
interview with a celebrity.
announcements.
I can_________________________________________
I can understand the information in sales ads.
I can understand basic information on travel brochures.
I can understand basic information on food labels.
I can_________________________________________
INTERMEDIATE HIGH
I can easily understand the main idea of texts related to everyday life, personal interests, and studies. I can
sometimes follow stories and descriptions about events and experiences in various time frames.
I can understand accounts of personal events or I can understand the main idea of and a few supporting facts
experiences. about famous people and historic events.
I can understand information about an upcoming I can read a short summary of a historical figures
excursion, such as a class trip or company event. accomplishments.
I can understand a friends postcard describing a family I can understand the main idea and a few supporting facts
vacation. about a scientific discovery from a summarized description.
I can understand descriptions of a Peace Corps I can_________________________________________
volunteers daily life.
I can_________________________________________
I can sometimes follow short, written instructions when
supported by visuals.
I can follow the instructions to use an ATM.
I can follow the instructions to make an online purchase.
I can follow simple directions to do an experiment in a
science class.
I can understand the basic instructions for playing a
video game.
I can_________________________________________
Interpretive Reading NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do Statements 37
Advanced Low
I can understand the main idea and some supporting details on a variety of topics of personal and general interest.
I can follow stories and descriptions of some length and in various time frames and genres.
I can find and use information for practical purposes. I can read texts that compare and contrast information.
I can read about an upcoming event to help me decide I can read restaurant descriptions to guide my choice.
whether or not to attend. I can read movie summaries to choose what to watch.
I can read a bloggers account of a trip to plan my own. I can read a catalogue of course descriptions to choose
I can read a message about a friends car accident. my classes.
I can read a description about a candidate to make a I can understand the main idea and some details from a
voting decision. list of government job descriptions.
I can understand absentee and sick leave policies. I can read an article about how technology has changed
I can_________________________________________ in the past 20 years.
I can_________________________________________
I can follow simple written instructions.
I can follow directions for assembling a model.
I can follow driving directions.
I can follow the steps of a recipe.
I can_________________________________________
Advanced Mid
I can understand the main idea and most supporting details in texts on a variety of topics of personal and general
interest, as well as some professional topics. I can follow stories and descriptions of considerable length and in various
time frames. I can understand texts written in a variety of genres, even when I am unfamiliar with the topic.
I can follow the general idea and some details of what I can understand messages on a wide variety of past,
is written in a variety of stories and autobiographical present, and future events.
accounts. I can understand an email message explaining details
I can follow the chronological plot in a simple short story. about the rescheduling of an event.
I can follow news articles reporting on community events. I can understand the details in a message about why
I can follow a short online autobiography. someone missed an important meeting.
I can follow a cover letter and a resume. I can understand detailed descriptions about a service
learning project or a volunteer experience.
I can_________________________________________
I can_________________________________________
I can understand general information on topics outside
my field of interest.
I can understand the details about a police report on a
recent crime.
I can understand the details of a job or performance
evaluation.
I can understand the details of an article about a sporting
or cultural event.
I can_________________________________________
38 NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do Statements Interpretive Reading
Advanced High
I can easily follow narrative, informational, and descriptive texts. I can understand what I read on
most topics that deal with special interests, unfamiliar situations, and abstract concepts.
I can sometimes understand extended arguments and different points of view.
I can understand narrative, descriptive, and informational I can read most general fiction and non-fiction.
texts of any length. I can understand most short stories, plays, and novels.
I can understand a detailed account of a unique travel or I can understand most inferences and allusions.
cultural experience.
I can understand non-fiction texts that are specialized
I can understand the minutes of a student club meeting and complex in nature, such as essays, documentaries,
that describes new by-laws. technical documentation, etc.
I can understand the new perspectives of a musical group I can_________________________________________
in an article that describes the direction taken in their
latest CD.
I can understand most documents outlining rules and
regulations, such as an apartment rental contract.
I can_________________________________________
I can read about most topics of special interest.
I can understand a report that describes policy changes,
for example, related to admission into a program or
changes to social networking platforms.
I can follow the reporting of national or international
news, such as an election, a natural disaster, or civil
unrest.
I can_________________________________________
Interpretive Reading NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do Statements 39
SUPERIOR
I can follow academic, professional, and literary texts on a wide range of both familiar and unfamiliar subjects.
I can sometimes infer complex meaning that requires analysis and deep understanding of the culture.
I can analyze the primary argument and supporting I can comprehend complex texts on abstract topics of
details. interest to me.
I can interpret editorials. I can read an article advocating for educational reform to
I can read a position statement and understand the meet global needs.
inferences. I can read an editorial on international environmental
I can understand a detailed analysis. policies.
I can understand a literary review. I can read texts about comparative religious or political
philosophies.
I can_________________________________________
I can_________________________________________
I can understand detailed information within and beyond
my fields of interest.
I can understand a technical report within my field.
I can understand a journal article in my field.
I can read most academic or professional articles
unrelated to my field.
I can_________________________________________
Distinguished
I can understand with ease and confidence highly abstract and specialized texts that are succinct or elaborate.
I can follow unpredictable turns of thought. I can manage inference from within the cultural framework.
I can understand technical language and jargon. I can understand popular texts that contain slang, idioms,
I can understand technical manuals. satire, and cultural references.
I can understand legal language. I can understand the cultural nuances of literary and
digital texts.
I can understand contracts.
I can understand the subtleties of political satire in
I can understand legislative language. cartoons, essay, or blogs
I can_________________________________________ I can_________________________________________
I can understand beyond the text, understanding
inferences, subtleties, literary devices, and rhetorical
structures of diverse works.
I can understand literary works that contain cultural
inferences and embedded historical contexts.
I can understand the cultural nuances in humorous texts.
I can understand editorials whose arguments are indirect
rather than literal.
I can_________________________________________