Stage I:
Canada
This theme focuses on language skills and cultural knowledge around geography, history, culture, government, and daily life that are helpful for integrating into Canadian society.
Choose a CLB level by clicking below to access information about Real-World Tasks and Detailed Sample Tasks for this theme.
Listening
CLB 1
Listen to a few short phrases or a single sentence about Canada Day to find out the date and a common activity associated with the holiday.
Comprehending Information
Understand very simple information about highly familiar, concrete topics.
- Identifies a few obvious factual details, such as numbers, letters, times and dates.
- Identifies a few key words and short expressions related to immediate needs.
Listen to the introduction of a guest speaker in both French and English.
Interacting with Others
Understand short social exchanges containing introductions, casual small talk and leave-taking.
- Identifies formal and casual style and register.
Listen to a few phrases of a short, simplified 1-day weather forecast for your town/ city and answer 1 or 2 questions about the type of weather.
Comprehending Information
Understand very simple information about highly familiar, concrete topics.
- Identifies a few obvious factual details, such as numbers, letters, times and dates.
- Identifies a few key words and short expressions related to immediate needs.
Listen to 2-3 words about inclusion in your classroom like equal, respect and inclusion.
Comprehending Information
Understand very simple information about highly familiar, concrete topics.
- Identifies a few obvious factual details, such as numbers, letters, time and dates.
- Identifies a few key words and short expressions related to immediate needs.
CLB 2
Listen to 2 to 4 short sentences about Thanksgiving Day to get the name, season, dates of the holiday as well as a way it is celebrated.
Comprehending Information
Understand simple information about familiar, concrete topics.
- Identifies specific factual details, such as numbers, letters, time, place, key words and expressions.
- Understands simple phrases, short, simple sentences and a few factual details.
Listen to a few sentences about the weekend weather forecast for your town/ city and answer 2 or 3 questions about the types of weather and temperatures.
Comprehending Information
Understand simple information about familiar, concrete topics.
- Identifies specific factual details, such as numbers, letters, time, place, key words and expressions.
Listen to a teacher welcoming an Elder to the class before a presentation to understand their name, the nation they are from and where they live.
Interacting with Others
Understand greetings, introductions, requests, goodwill expressions and an expanding range of basic courtesy formulas. [Communication is very brief, 2 or 3 turns.]
- Identifies common courtesy phrases and an expanding range of expressions.
- Understands simple phrases, short, simple sentences and a few factual details.
Listen to 2-3 sentences about inclusion at your school.
Comprehending Information
Understand simple information about familiar, concrete topics.
- Identifies simple factual details, such as numbers, letters, time, place, key words and expressions.
- Identifies words related to personal identification information.
CLB 3
Listen to 4 to 6 simple sentences about Remembrance Day to get the name, when and how the day is honoured as well as the reason it is recognized.
Comprehending Information
Understand short, simple, descriptive communication about a person, object, situation, scene, personal experience or daily routine.
- Gets the gist.
- Identifies factual details, key words and expressions as required.
Listen to a 5-day weather forecast for your town/ city and answer 5 questions about the types of weather and daily high and low temperatures.
Comprehending Information
Understand short, simple, descriptive communication about a person, object, situation, scene, personal experience or daily routine.
- Gets the gist.
- Identifies factual details, key words and expressions as required.
Listen to a few short sentences about inclusion in the Canadian workforce, including specific groups and people with disabilities.
Comprehending Information
Understand short descriptive narrative communication on topics of personal relevance.
- Gets the gist.
- Identifies factual details, key words and expressions as required.
CLB 4
Listen to up to 10 sentences about National Truth and Reconciliation Day to get the name, when and several different ways the holiday can be honoured across Canada.
Comprehending Information
Understand short descriptive or narrative communication on topics of personal relevance.
- Identifies factual details, some implied meanings, key words and expressions.
- Identifies who, what, where and when.
Listen to a 7-day weather forecast for your town/ city and answer 5-10 questions about the types of weather, temperatures and what to wear.
Comprehending Information
Understand short descriptive or narrative communication on topics of personal relevance.
- Identifies factual details, some implied meanings, key words and expressions.
- Identifies who, what, where and when.
Listen to up to 10 sentences about equity, diversity and inclusion in Canada, including rights and freedoms of different marginalized groups.
Comprehending Information
Understand short descriptive narrative communication on topics of personal relevance.
- Gets the gist.
- Identifies factual details, some implied meanings, key words and expressions.
Speaking
CLB 1
Answer 2 to 3 questions about your journey to Canada such as what other countries you have lived in and when you arrived.
Sharing Information
Give basic personal information in response to direct questions from a supportive listener.
- Answers simple questions about personal information.
- Speaks in isolated words or strings of 2 to 3 words.
Greet a classmate with a holiday greeting like Happy Holidays or Happy Thanksgiving.
Use and respond to basic courtesy formulas and greetings. [Interlocutors are familiar and supportive.]
- Responds appropriately to common greetings, introductions, and leave-takings.
- Uses appropriate basic courtesy formulas.
CLB 2
Introduce yourself to someone who was born in Canada and talk to them about the weather.
Interacting with Others
Use and respond to courtesy formulas and greetings.
- Opens a short conversation.
- Indicates communication problems verbally, if needed.
Open a conversation with a classmate and respond to their closing holiday goodwill expressions (Have a good Christmas holiday!/ Thanks. You, too.)
Interacting with Others
Use and respond to courtesy formulas and greetings. [Interlocutors are familiar and supportive.]
- Initiates and responds appropriately to introductions and leave-takings using appropriate courtesy formulas.
- Opens a short conversation.
CLB 3
Introduce yourself to someone who was born in Canada and ask them about their favourite place in Canada.
Interacting with Others
Use a range of courtesy formulas and greetings in very short, casual, face-to-face interactions.
- Responds appropriately in short routine exchanges.
- Initiates and responds appropriately in short routine exchanges about self and another person.
Open a conversation with a coworker, ask about their holiday plans.
Interacting with Others
Use a range of courtesy formulas and greetings in very short, casual, face-to-face interactions. [Interlocutors are familiar and supportive.]
- Opens a conversation.
- Uses simple questions to ask about another person.
CLB 4
Introduce yourself to someone who was born in Canada and make small talk about their experiences living in your community.
Interacting with Others
Participate in short, very simple phone calls.
- Asks and responds to routine questions.
- Uses a range of small talk phrases and expressions.
Ask your coworkers to wear an orange shirt to honour National Truth and Reconciliation Day and provide 2 to 3 reasons.
Getting Things Done
Make and respond to a range of requests and offers (such as getting assistance, and asking for, offering, accepting or rejecting goods or services.)
- Asks questions and makes requests and suggestions politely and appropriately.
- Elicits or provides details as needed.
Open and close a short conversation with a coworker. Ask and answer questions about plans for the upcoming holiday weekend.
Interacting with Others
Use a range of courtesy formulas and some casual small talk in short, one-on-one or small group interactions. [Interlocutors are familiar and supportive.]
- Opens and closes a short conversation.
- Asks and responds to questions about common, everyday routines.
Reading
CLB 1
Read a very short, very simple message from a Francophone Canadian friend saying where they are from in Canada.
Interacting with Others
Understand short greetings and simple goodwill messages.
- Locates dates, times, addresses and phone numbers.
- Locates specific words and phrases.
Read a very short, simple poster about an Orange Shirt Day event at school and find the date and time.
Getting Things Done
Get information from very short, simple, common formatted texts (such as simple sections of forms, maps, diagrams, sales receipts, or common universal traffic signs and civic symbols).
- Identifies numbers (amounts, dates) and familiar words (names, addresses, city names).
- Identifies an address.
Find the name of a province or territory and its capital city in an instructor made or adapted travel brochure.
Getting Things Done
Get information from very short, simple, common formatted texts.
- Identifies numbers (amounts, dates) and familiar words (names, addresses, city names).
- Finds a few key words and simple details.
Read 2 to 4 very short sentences accompanying a picture of Canada’s national flag and find the name of its symbol, the colours and the year it became our national flag.
Comprehending Information
- Recognizes names, numbers, and basic detail in very simple, short texts related to everyday situations and immediate needs.
- Identifies numbers, letters, a few key words and short expressions.
CLB 2
Read a short, simple message from a Francophone Canadian friend saying 1 to 2 things about their community.
Interacting with Others
Understand short greetings and other goodwill messages.
- Finds a few simple details.
- Gets the gist.
Find the name of a province or territory, its capital city and find an important tourist attraction in an instructor made or adapted travel brochure.
Getting Things Done
Get information from simple formatted texts (such as simple forms, maps, diagrams, signs, labels, tables and schedules).
- Recognizes layout
- Scans text to find specific details.
Read 5 to 7 short simple sentences accompanying a colour coded map of Canada’s regions to find the names of each region, the provinces and territories that are part of each region and a few directional words such as east and west.
Comprehending Information
Understand the purpose and some basic details in very simple, short texts related to everyday, familiar personally relevant situations and topics.
- Identifies purpose.
- Identifies numbers, letters, a few key words and short expressions.
CLB 3
Read a short letter or email from a Francophone Canadian friend describing several things about their community.
Interacting with Others
Understand short, personal social messages within predictable contexts of daily experience.
- Gets the gist.
- Identifies some specific details and information (such as sender, date and response required).
In a simple travel brochure, find 2 or 3 attractions in the capital city of another province. Decide if you would like to visit.
Getting Things Done
Get information from simple formatted texts.
- Identifies layout and specific information.
- Scans formatted text (such as a directory) to find specific information.
Read up to 2 paragraphs about the diversity of people in Canada and find facts about the population, regions and different peoples.
Comprehending Information
Understand the purpose, main idea, key information and some details in simple, short, texts related to everyday familiar and personally relevant situations and topics.
- Gets the gist.
- Identify key information and the main idea.
CLB 4
Read a letter or an email from a Francophone Canadian friend describing the region in Canada where they grew up.
Interacting with Others
Understand simple personal social messages within predictable contexts of daily experience.
- Gets the gist.
- Identifies specific important details (such as sender, date and response required)
Compare information about tourist attractions in a province or territory to decide which ones to visit on an upcoming trip.
Getting Things Done
Get information from short business or service texts (such as brochures, notices, form letters and flyers).
- Identifies type and purpose.
- Finds main ideas, specific information and key details.
Read up to 3 paragraphs about Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms to compare one’s rights and freedoms with their responsibilities.
Comprehending Information
Understand the purpose, main idea, key information and specific details in simple, short, texts related to everyday familiar and personally relevant situations and topics.
- Gets the overall meaning.
- Compares simple information.
Read up to 3 paragraphs about women and gender roles in Canada and compare them to another culture.
Comprehending Information
Understand the purpose, main idea, key information and specific details in simple, short texts related to everyday familiar and personally relevant situations and topics.
- Gets the overall meaning.
- Compares simple information.
Writing
CLB 1
Complete up to 5 labelled items of personal information to register for a Citizenship information session.
Getting Things Done
Complete very short, simple or simplified forms that require only basic personal identification information.
- Writes basic personal information in appropriate sections.
- Follows some conventions for addresses, telephone numbers, etc.
Copy a list of up to 5-10 ingredients in a recipe for a traditional Canadian dish using a template.
Reproducing Information
Copy numbers, letters, words, short phrases or sentences from simple lists or very short passages, for personal use or to complete short tasks.
- Copies letters, numbers, words and short sentences, including capitalization and punctuation.
- Follows standard Canadian conventions and styles when copying addresses and phone numbers.
CLB 2
Complete up 10 labelled items of personal information to register for a Citizenship Preparation class.
Getting Things Done
Complete short, simple or simplified forms that require only basic personal identification or familiar information.
- Follows some conventions for addresses, telephone numbers, etc.
- Follows some basic spelling conventions.
Copy a list of up to 10-15 ingredients in a recipe for a traditional Canadian dish using a template.
Reproducing Information
Copy a range of information from simple lists or very short passages for personal use.
- Copies or records letters, numbers and words correctly.
- Copies text legibly; reader may still have difficulties decoding some numbers or letters.
CLB 3
Complete up to 12-15 labelled items of personal information and questions on a form to renew your Permanent Resident Card.
Getting Things Done
Complete short, simple forms that require basic personal or familiar information and some responses to simple questions.
- Follows appropriate conventions for addresses, telephone numbers, etc.
- Follows most spelling conventions.
Copy the ingredients and several steps in a short, simple recipe for a traditional Canadian holiday dish.
Reproducing Information
Copy or record a range of information from short texts for personal use.
- Copies or records letters, numbers and words with no major omissions.
- Copies text legibly, causing only slight uncertainty in decoding for the reader.
Copy a list of Indigenous foods that may be part of a Truth and Reconciliation event.
Reproducing information
Copy or record a range of information from short texts for personal use. [Texts to copy are up to about 1 paragraph and have a clear layout; can include passages, directories, schedules, instructions, and dictionaries.]
- Copies or records letters, numbers, words and sentences with correct capitalization and punctuation.
- Follows standard Canadian conventions for capitalization, punctuation and other requirements of the genre.
CLB 4
Complete up to 15-20 labelled items of personal information and questions on a registration form to apply for Canadian citizenship.
Getting Things Done
Complete simple forms that require basic personal or familiar information and some responses to simple questions.
- Follows appropriate conventions for addresses, telephone numbers, etc.
- Follows most spelling conventions.
Copy the ingredients and steps in a recipe for a traditional Canadian holiday dish.
Reproducing Information
Copy or record an expanded range of information from short texts for personal use.
- Accurately copies elements of formatting from template.
- Copies information with no major omissions.
Complete up to 15-20 items on a Canada census form or similar data collection form. Find and complete the gender identity categories.
Getting Things Done
Complete simple forms that require basic personal or familiar information and some responses to simple questions.
- Follows appropriate conventions for addresses, telephone numbers, etc.
- Follows most spelling conventions.
Sample Real World Tasks
This information is aligned with the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) and is designed to help guide you in the planning process. You can use these sample real-world tasks to guide and inform your selection or creation of skill-building activities, skill-using tasks and assessment tasks
These sample real-world tasks include the following: skill, real-world task, competency area, one competency statement and two sample indicators of ability. This is not an exhaustive list: there are more indicators of ability and information about this CLB level in Canadian Language Benchmarks English as a Second Language for Adults. Consult this resource for more information and to select your own competencies or indicators of ability. Remember, you can use more learner-friendly language in your materials and assessments.
This is NOT a lesson plan, module plan or curriculum.
