Understanding WIDA Proficiency Level Descriptors: A Guide for Educators

Educators who work with multilingual students face a unique challenge. Not only do they need to teach academic content, but they also need to help their students learn English. To make this task easier, the World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA) Consortium has created a set of proficiency level descriptors that can be used to assess students’ English language development. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at these descriptors and how educators can use them to support their students.

What are WIDA Proficiency Level Descriptors?

WIDA proficiency level descriptors are a set of guidelines that describe the English language proficiency levels of students who are learning English as an additional language. The descriptors cover four language domains: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing, and are organized into six proficiency levels. Each level has its own set of descriptors that outline what students can and can’t do in English. The six levels, in order of increasing proficiency, are:

• Level 1 – Entering
• Level 2 – Emerging
• Level 3 – Developing
• Level 4 – Expanding
• Level 5 – Bridging
• Level 6 – Reaching

It’s important to note that these levels aren’t the same as grade levels and don’t correspond to specific ages or grade levels. Instead, they capture students’ English language proficiency as they progress over time.

How Can Educators Use WIDA Proficiency Level Descriptors?

By using WIDA proficiency level descriptors, educators can identify their students’ English language proficiency levels and tailor instruction to meet their needs. For example, if a student is at level 1, they may need more support with basic vocabulary and sentence structure, whereas a student at level 3 may benefit from reading and writing more complex texts. Educators can also use the descriptors to create language objectives that align with their students’ proficiency levels.

WIDA proficiency level descriptors can also be used to support teachers in assessing their students’ English language development. Educators can use the descriptors to create assessments that align with their students’ proficiency levels and track their progress over time. By doing so, they can measure how much progress their students are making in learning English and adjust their instruction accordingly.

Real-World Examples of WIDA Proficiency Level Descriptors in Action

One school district that has successfully implemented WIDA proficiency level descriptors is the Boston Public Schools. In 2018, the district introduced WIDA ACCESS for ELLs 2.0, an English language proficiency assessment that’s based on the WIDA proficiency level descriptors. Since then, the district has seen an increase in the number of students who are reclassified as English proficient. In addition, teachers have reported that the descriptors have helped them become more aware of their students’ language development needs and have enabled them to provide more targeted instruction.

Conclusion

WIDA proficiency level descriptors are an essential tool for educators who work with multilingual students. By using the descriptors, teachers can identify their students’ English language proficiency levels, tailor instruction to meet their needs, and track their progress over time. The descriptors also help teachers create assessments that align with their students’ proficiency levels and can be used to set language objectives. By implementing WIDA proficiency level descriptors, educators can help their students achieve academic success while mastering the English language.