About ESL Benchmarks

Introduction
The Benchmark Levels
Language Strands
Communicative Competence
Strand Specific Competencies
Communicative Competence by Language Strand
- Listening
- Speaking
- Reading
- Writing
Assessment Tips
Sample Processes for Assessing Language Proficiency
Ongoing Assessment and Reporting
Tracking Strategies

Communicative Competence by Strand – Writing

The process of writing involves exploring, shaping and recording one’s thoughts and communicating them through various text forms to particular audiences using appropriate tone and voice. Conventions such as spelling, punctuation, grammar, as well as syntax (sentence structure) and word choice, are elements of the writing process.

Linguistic Competence	It includes grammar, vocabulary and the mechanics of the language. These performance aspects of written language are highly valued in judging the quality of a piece of writing.
Strategic Competence	A strategic writer creates text appropriate to purpose, voice, audience, form and occasion.
Socio-linguistic Competence	The student is able to vary the use of language in terms of audience, purpose, genre, topic and degree of formality. It is through socio-linguistic competence that writers maintain their credibility with their audience.
Discourse Competence	Knowledge of transitional devices that connect one element in a text with another. Transitional devices such as reference, substitution, ellipsis, conjunction and lexical cohesion.