Third one is using standardized tests to measure the proficiency of students such as TOEFL and IELTS, which test learners from listening, speaking, reading and writing, but the boundary lines of different levels are hard to determine。 Specifically, in China, there are some typical English tests for university students called College English Test Band 4 (CET4) and Test for English Majors-Band 4 (TEM4), conducted by national Ministry of Education professionally。 Finally, there exists the placement test such as the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) Proficiency Guidelines, providing the language framework which is uniformly understood, offering practical descriptions of speaking, listening, reading and writing, aiming to defining the levels of students in linguistic tasks。
The following table 2。1 is an example about levels of IELTS and their descriptions。
Table 2。1 The Interpretations of different IELTS Levels
Band Score Skill Level Description
9 Expert user The test taker has fully operational command of the language。 Their use of English is appropriate, accurate and fluent, and shows complete understanding。
8 Very good user The test taker has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriate usage。 They may misunderstand some things in unfamiliar situations。 They handle complex and detailed argumentation well。
7 Good user The test taker has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriate usage and misunderstandings in some situations。 They generally handle complex language well and understand detailed reasoning。
6 Competent user The test taker has an effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriate usage and misunderstandings。 They can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations。论文网
5 Modest user The test taker has a partial command of the language and copes with overall meaning in most situations, although they are likely to make many mistakes。 They should be able to handle basic communication in their own field。
4 Limited user The test taker’s basic competence is limited to familiar situations。 They frequently show problems in understanding and expression。 They are not able to use complex language。
3 Extremely limited user The test taker conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations。 There are frequent breakdowns in communication。
2 Intermittent user The test taker has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English。
1 Non-user The test taker has no ability to use the language except a few isolated words。
0 Did not attempt the test The test taker did not answer the questions。
2。2 2。2 Taxonomy of Learning Strategies
2。2。1 Definition of Learning Strategies
In order to do further research on learning strategies, it is imperative to find the definition of language learning strategies。 There have been several different definitions since late 1970s as follow: