Click on any CLB level in the table below to view the descriptors for reading.
Stage I: Basic Language Ability
CLB 1
I can…
- Read a short, simple greeting.
- Read words telling me what to do.
- Read a very short, simple sign.
- Read a short simple grocery list.
I understand simple words and some very short familiar phrases. But, the words have to be highly familiar,
and I sometimes need pictures to help me understand. Reading is very difficult for me.
CLB 2
I can…
- Read a short text message
- Read and follow short, simple instructions
- Read a simple sign
- Open Mon - Fri 8:00am - 8:00pm
- Get the main idea of some short simple sentences
I understand simple words, a few phrases and some very short simple sentences. But,
I may need pictures to help me understand. I only recognize common words and everyday phrases, and reading is very difficult for me.
CLB 3
I can…
- Read a very short note from a friend
- Thanks for the fun party. The cake was really good.
- Read and follow simple everyday instructions
- Turn left on Pine Street. Drive north to Cone Street.
- Find information on a schedule
- Next eastbound bus: 5 minutes.
- Find details in simple, short stories
- The children went to school. Then they came home.…
I understand some simple sentences and can get some main ideas from a very short simple paragraph.
But, the layout has to be very clear, and I often need pictures to help me understand. Reading is difficult for me.
CLB 4
I can…
- Read a simple personal email message
- Hi Susan,
How was your weekend? We went for a hike yesterday. The weather was great…
- Read and follow steps in a simple recipe to prepare a food item
- Preheat oven to 350℉. Place chicken in a large pan...
- Find information in online advertisements
- Apartment for Rent: 2 bedrooms, large balcony.
- Understand some details from a short, simple news story
- ○ The community festival was a success. The event raised thousands of dollars for a local charity...
I understand most of the ideas in a very short paragraph when the vocabulary and structure are simple. But, I may need some support,
such as pictures or graphics, to help me understand.
Stage II: Intermediate Language Ability
CLB 5
I can…
-
Read an email from a friend inviting me to a special event
-
Follow instructions on how to access a company database
-
Read a short description of a college course
-
Find some information on a government website
I understand short predictable reading materials. But I cannot understand when the vocabulary and structures are complex.
CLB 6
I can…
-
Read an e-mail from a friend cancelling a dinner date
-
Read and follow instructions for submitting a college application.
-
Read a notice about construction in my neighbourhood
-
Read and compare health information from two different online sources
I understand predictable reading materials on topics that are relevant to me. But I cannot understand when the vocabulary and structures are complex.
CLB 7
I can…
-
Read an email from my colleague expressing disappointment about not getting a promotion
-
Read and follow instructions on how to set up a printer
-
Read my workplace performance review to determine what I need to improve
-
Understand the main ideas and some of the details in an opinion article in a magazine
I understand most moderately complex reading materials. But the topic needs to be familiar to me. I have difficulty when the vocabulary and structures are more complex.
CLB 8
I can…
-
Read a complaint from a customer and the manager’s response
-
Read and follow instructions for performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as part of a first aid course
-
Interpret an online table from a government website
-
Read a letter to the editor about a controversial issue
I understand moderately complex reading materials, and I am beginning to read information on less familiar topics. I have some difficulty when the vocabulary
and structures are more complex.
Stage III: Advanced Language Ability
CLB 9
I can…
-
Read editorial pieces to identify and compare writer attitudes
-
Read a policy and procedure manual to deal with a complaint
-
Read an employment benefit document
-
Read multiple workplace charts to summarize key trends
I am beginning to understand more complex reading materials in my own field. But I have difficulty when the vocabulary and structures are very complex.
CLB 10
I can…
-
Read blog posts about social issues and identify unstated values
-
Extract and compare information from various workplace manuals
-
Evaluate a proposed schedule to determine its suitability
-
Trace the development of an argument or theory in a complex text related to my own field
I understand some more complex reading materials in my own field. But I have difficulty when the vocabulary and structures are very complex.
CLB 11
I can…
-
Read a formal evaluation on the effectiveness of a workplace project
-
Follow software instructions for an unfamiliar spreadsheet application
-
Interpret information from an insurance contract or a lease agreement
-
Read reports of various parliamentary debates to learn about motives, values and intentions
I understand most complex reading materials, even when the topics are unfamiliar. I have occasional difficulty when the vocabulary and structures are very complex.
CLB 12
I can…
-
Participate in online communities that discuss complex issues and current trends
-
Use a set of best practices to evaluate the clarity and validity of workplace instructions
-
Interpret and apply information from arbitration documents
-
Conduct an extensive literature review for an academic course or research project
I understand complex reading materials in a broad variety of styles and formats.