Skillful

Listening&Speaking Level 1
CEFR A2

Series overview:
What is Macmillan Skillful?
Skillful is a five-level, academic series, spanning
from CEFR (Common European Framework of
Reference for Languages) levels A1 to C1. Each
level is split into two books, one for Reading &
Writing and the other for Listening & Speaking.
Skillful offers a skills syllabus, covering listening,
speaking, reading, and writing, with vocabulary,
grammar, pronunciation, and study skills.
This CEFR mapping against Skillful is correlated with the following publicly available documents (last
accessed June 15, 2015). Descriptors have been modified from the descriptors given in these sources.
1. EAQUALS/British Council Core Inventory for General English:
http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/sites/teacheng/files/Z243%20E%26E%20EQUALS%20
BROCHURErevised6.pdf
2. EAQUALS Bank of Descriptors—as checklists:
http://clients.squareeye.net/uploads/eaquals2011/EAQUALS_Bank_as_checklists.pdf
3. The Council of Europe Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching,
Assessment: http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/linguistic/source/framework_en.pdf

What is CEFR? Overview chart of Skillful level correlations to other level/grade systems:
The CEFR was designed to provide a transparent,

CEFR

ALTE

UCLES

IELTS

TOEIC©

TOEFL iBT

PTE
coherent, and comprehensive basis for the
elaboration of language syllabuses and curriculum
guidelines, the design of teaching and learning LEVEL
materials, and the assessment of foreign language Foundation A1 0 - 2.0 0-245 - -
proficiency. It is used in Europe but also in other
Level 1 A2 1 KET 3.0 246-380 - 1
continents and is now available in 39 languages.
See www.coe.int/lang-CEFR for further information. Level 2 B1 2 PET 4.0 500-650 57-86 3

Level 3 B2 3 FCE 5.0 650-720 87-109 4

Level 4 C1 4 CAE 6.0-7.0 720-910 110-120 5

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Skillful
Listening&Speaking Level 1
CEFR A2
Overview of global competencies of CEFR
level users:
The CEFR was designed to level general English
competencies rather than academic English skills,
so there are some limitations in mapping Skillful
against the CEFR. There is no CEFR mapping
for Pronunciation or Study Skills. However, we
can still find many matches for the more general
language competencies between Skillful and
the CEFR that form the base for developing the
necessary academic skills and language knowledge
more appropriate for a tertiary context. The general
summaries of competencies at each level are:
Skillful Foundation, A1: Can understand and
use familiar everyday expressions and very basic
phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a
concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and
others and can ask and answer questions about
personal details such as where he/she lives, people
he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact
in a simple way provided the other person talks
slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.
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Skillful Level 1, A2: Can understand sentences
and frequently used expressions related to areas of
most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal
and family information, shopping, local geography,
employment). Can communicate in simple
and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct
exchange of information on familiar and routine
matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of
his/her background, immediate environment, and
matters in areas of immediate need.
Skillful Level 2, B1: Can understand the main
points of clear standard input on familiar matters
regularly encountered in work, school, leisure,
etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise
whilst traveling in an area where the language is
spoken. Can produce simple connected text on
topics which are familiar or of personal interest.
Can describe experiences and events, dreams,
hopes, and ambitions, and briefly give reasons and
explanations for opinions and plans.
Skillful Level 3, B2: Can understand the main
ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract
topics, including technical discussions in his/her
field of specialization. Can interact with a degree
of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular
interaction with native speakers quite possible
without strain for either party. Can produce clear,
detailed text on a wide range of subjects and
explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the
advantages and disadvantages of various options.
Skillful Level 4, C1: Can understand a wide range
of demanding, longer texts, and recognize implicit
meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and
spontaneously without much obvious searching
for expressions. Can use language flexibly and
effectively for social, academic, and professional
purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured,
detailed text on complex subjects, showing
controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors,
and cohesive devices.
(taken from http://www.englishprofile.org/the-cefr,
copyright Council of Europe 2001)
2
Skillful
Listening&Speaking Level 1
CEFR A2

Listening & Speaking Level 1

UNIT 1: Character CEFR Descriptor CEFR Level
Listening skill
Listening for main ideas (p8) I can follow changes of topic and understand key information. A2
Listening for reasons; because, since (p9) N/A N/A
Speaking skill
Making introductions (p14) I can introduce myself and other people around me with informal and formal expressions. A2
Grammar
The simple present tense (p13) I can understand and use the simple present tense. A1
Vocabulary skill
Adding the suffix -al (p12) N/A N/A
UNIT 2: Time CEFR Descriptor CEFR Level
Listening skill
Listening for results: as a result, make, so (p19) N/A N/A
Using questions to predict the main idea (p20) N/A N/A
Speaking skill
Getting attention and asking permission: informal and formal I can use appropriate language to ask for permission and to make requests (can/could). A2
ways of asking (p24)
Grammar
Verbs followed by infinitives and gerunds (p23) I can understand and use verb + infinitive and verb + gerund. A2
Vocabulary skill
Recognizing roots (p22) N/A N/A
UNIT 3: Home CEFR Descriptor CEFR Level
Listening skill
Listening for special terms (p29) N/A N/A
Predicting using the title, picture, and key words; an interview (p30) I can follow the main points of a news report or presentation if people talk slowly and clearly, A2+
if I am familiar with the subject, and I have some clues such as a title and picture to help me.

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Skillful
Listening&Speaking Level 1
CEFR A2

Speaking skill
Making and responding to suggestions (p34) I can make and respond to suggestions and invitations to do something politely. A2
Grammar
Quantifiers: some, any, (not) enough, too many, too much (p33) I can use basic to more advanced quantifiers. A1-B1
Vocabulary skill
House and home (p32) N/A N/A
UNIT 4: Size CEFR Descriptor CEFR Level
Listening skill
Predicting content from interview questions (p39) I can understand questions to help me follow the main idea of a talk. A2
Listening for advantages and disadvantages; medical devices (p40) I can listen for advantages and disadvantages in a speech. B1
Speaking skill
Giving reasons for or against something (p44) I can ask for and give opinions, and agree and disagree, to a limited extent. A2+
Grammar
The present progressive tense for changes over time (p42) I can use the present progressive/continuous tense to talk about changes over time. A2
Vocabulary skill
Adding the prefixes mini- and micro- (p41) N/A N/A
UNIT 5: Patterns CEFR Descriptor CEFR Level
Listening skill
Listening for explanations and examples (p49) N/A N/A
Listening for the main areas of a talk, main topic signal words, I can follow the order of ideas by listening for sequential linkers such as first and finally. A2
and order (p50)
Speaking skill
Asking for ideas and examples (p54) I can make and respond to suggestions and invitations politely. A2
Grammar
Giving advice with adjective expressions (It is + adjective + I can give advice using modal verbs, e.g., You could ask for help. / We should go to class after work. A2
infinitive), imperatives, and modal verbs (p53)

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Skillful
Listening&Speaking Level 1
CEFR A2

Vocabulary skill
Adding the suffixes -ology and -ologist (p52) N/A N/A
UNIT 6: Speed CEFR Descriptor CEFR Level
Listening skill
Listening for tone of voice (p59) I can understand how tone can affect the style of a text. C1+
Listening for block organization and the transitions between topics: I can follow changes in the topic of discussion around me if the speaker speaks slowly A2+
in contrast, on the other hand, unlike (p60) and clearly.
Speaking skill
Talking about similarities and differences (p63) I can link ideas with simple connectors, e.g., and, but, and because. A2
Grammar
Superlative forms of adjectives and adverbs (p62) I can use the superlative form of adjectives and adverbs, e.g., The greatest person in the A2
world is my mother. / English is the most difficult subject in my opinion.
Vocabulary skill
Adding the suffixes -ed and -ing (p62) N/A N/A
UNIT 7: Vision CEFR Descriptor CEFR Level
Listening skill
Recognizing different types of numbers: hundred, thousand, I can understand and use numbers. A1
million, percent, point (p69)
Listening for transition questions; a restaurant review (p70) N/A N/A
Speaking skill
Asking for repetition and clarification (p74) I can say when I don’t understand and ask for information to be clarified. A2
Grammar
Concrete and abstract nouns (p73) I can differentiate between concrete and abstract nouns and understand when they are A1-B1
countable and uncountable.
Vocabulary skill
Adding suffixes to change adjectives into nouns (p72) N/A N/A

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Skillful
Listening&Speaking Level 1
CEFR A2

UNIT 8: Extremes CEFR Descriptor CEFR Level

Listening skill
Listening for words used to classify items (p79) N/A N/A
Preparing for listening: writing down questions (p80) N/A N/A
Speaking skill
Taking time to think before speaking (p84) I can use set phrases like let me think, just a moment etc. to buy time while I think about B2
what I want to say.
Grammar
Expressing and asking about ability: can, could, be able to (p83) I can ask questions about ability using can and can’t. A2
Vocabulary skill
Ex-words (p82) N/A N/A
UNIT 9: Life CEFR Descriptor CEFR Level
Listening skill
Listening to stories: understanding about typical parts of a story I can understand short stories when told simply and slowly, and I can anticipate some of A2+
to aid prediction (p89) the themes and events in the story.
Listening for past and present time signals (p90) N/A N/A
Speaking skill
Asking for more information; a story (p94) I can ask and answer simple Wh- questions about past and present events to get more A2
information.
Grammar
Simple past tense questions (p93) I can ask questions using the simple past, e.g., Did you pass your physics exam? A2
Vocabulary skill
Identifying word families and root words (p92) N/A N/A

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Skillful
Listening&Speaking Level 1
CEFR A2

UNIT 10: Work CEFR Descriptor CEFR Level

Listening skill
Listening to lists: signal words that add something important: I can follow a lecture or talk on a familiar topic if the speech contains structural markers B1+
above all, additionally, as well, most of all, etc.; a careers fair to organize ideas.
interview (p100)
Listening for the structure of a talk: signal words which indicate N/A N/A
the structure of the talk (p101)
Speaking skill
Introducing a talk (p104) I can use basic sequencing words to put ideas in order when introducing and organizing A1+
the ideas of my talk.
Grammar
Future forms with will and going to (p103) I can talk about future time using will and going to, e.g., I’m going to the museum this A2
weekend. / I’ll tell my tutor that I’m having problems with my assignment.
Vocabulary skill
Using future time markers: before long, in the next few years, in N/A N/A
the coming years (p102)

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