What are the WIDA levels - Answers 1 Entering
2 Beginning
3 Developing
4 Expanding
5 Bridging
6 Reaching
Word Consciousness - Answers Word consciousness strategies help students to recognize,
understand, and use new words. It is expected that teachers are foster word consciousness in their
classes and vocabulary work to create effective, engaging and efficient vocabulary instruction.
Examples: developing cognate awareness, explicit instruction on words and word parts, vocabulary
connections, and other strategies that allow students to deal with new words independently.
WIDA Level 6: Reaching
(Description) - Answers • specialized or technical language reflective of the content areas at grade
level
• a variety of sentence lengths of varying linguistic complexity
• oral or written communication comparable to English-proficient peers
WIDA Level 5: Bridging
(Description) - Answers • specialized or technical language of the content areas
• a variety of sentence lengths of varying linguistic complexity in extended oral or written discourse,
including stories, essays, or reports
• oral or written language approaching comparability to that of English-proficient peers when
presented with grade-level material
WIDA Level 4: Expanding
(Description) - Answers • specific and some technical language of the content areas
• a variety of sentence lengths of varying linguistic complexity in oral discourse or multiple, related
sentences, or paragraphs
• oral or written language with minimal phonological, syntactic, or semantic errors that do not
impede the overall meaning of the communication when presented with oral or written connected
discourse with sensory, graphic, or interactive support
WIDA Level 3: Developing
(Description) - Answers Conversation begins/understandable
-general and some specific language of the content areas
• expanded sentences in oral interaction or written paragraphs
• oral or written language with phonological, syntactic, or semantic errors that may impede the
communication, but retain much of its meaning, when presented with oral or written, narrative, or
expository descriptions with sensory, graphic, or interactive support
(Errors: Transfer, overgeneralization, circumlocution, code switching)
WIDA Level 2: Beginning
(Description) - Answers • general language related to the content areas
• phrases or short sentences (chunks: How are you? I am fine.)
• oral or written language with phonological, syntactic, or semantic errors that often impede the
meaning of the communication
(when presented with one- to multiple-step commands, directions, questions, or a series of
statements with sensory, graphic, or interactive support)
WIDA Level 1: Entering
(Description) - Answers •know verbal cues (standing for pledge)
-pictorial or graphic representation of the language of the content areas
• words, phrases, or chunks of language when presented with one-step commands, directions, WH-,
choice, or yes/no questions, or statements with sensory, graphic, or interactive support
• oral language with phonological, syntactic, or semantic errors that often impede meaning when
presented with basic oral commands, direct questions, or simple statements with sensory, graphic, or
interactive support
WIDA Level 1: Entering