THINK CEFR

GUIDE
Starter

Think Starter
Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

Contents
Part 1 The CEFR level of Think Starter2

Part 2 How the goals of the CEFR are realised in Think Starter3

Part 3 How each unit of Think Starter relates to the CEFR 8

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Part 1 The CEFR level of Think Starter

Think Starter covers level A1 of the CEFR. This table describes the general degree of skill achieved by learners
at this level.

Skill Learners will be able to:

Listening ●● recognise familiar words and very basic phrases concerning themselves, their families, and their
immediate concrete surroundings, when people speak slowly and clearly.

Reading ●● understand familiar names, words and very simple sentences, for example on notices and posters.

Speaking ●● interact in a simple way provided the other person is prepared to repeat or rephrase;
●● ask and answer simple questions in areas of immediate need or on very familiar topics;
●● use simple sentences to describe where they live and people they know.

Writing ●● write short simple postcards or emails;

●● fill in forms with personal details;
●● write simple isolated phrases and sentences.

Communicative ●● use a basic repertoire of words and phrases related to personal details and particular concrete
language situations;
competence ●● show limited control of a few simple grammatical structures and sentence patterns in a learned
repertoire;
●● pronounce learned words and phrases in a way that can be understood by many expert speakers;
●● establish basic social contact by using simple everyday polite language.

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Part 2 How the goals of the CEFR are realised in Think Starter
LISTENING
At A1, learners are expected to be able to understand speech that is very simple.
OVERALL LISTENING COMPREHENSION
Can follow speech that is very slow and carefully articulated, with long pauses to assimilate meaning.
Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4 Unit 5 Unit 6 Unit 7 Unit 8 Unit 9 Unit 10 Unit 11 Unit 12
15 23 33 41 51 59 69 77 87 95 105 113
18–19 36–37 54–55 72–73 90–91 108–109

Welcome: 8, 9, 10
LISTENING TO ANNOUNCEMENTS AND INSTRUCTIONS
Can understand instructions addressed carefully and slowly to them and can follow short, simple directions.
Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4 Unit 5 Unit 6 Unit 7 Unit 8 Unit 9 Unit 10 Unit 11 Unit 12
41

READING
At A1, learners can understand very short, simple texts a single phrase at a time, picking up familiar names,
words and basic phrases and rereading as required.
READING CORRESPONDENCE
Can understand short, simple messages on postcards, emails, etc.
Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4 Unit 5 Unit 6 Unit 7 Unit 8 Unit 9 Unit 10 Unit 11 Unit 12
20–21 74–75
27 81

READING FOR ORIENTATION

Can recognise familiar names, words and very basic phrases on simple notices in the most common everyday situations.
Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4 Unit 5 Unit 6 Unit 7 Unit 8 Unit 9 Unit 10 Unit 11 Unit 12
88

READING FOR INFORMATION AND ARGUMENT

Can get an idea of the content of simpler informational material and short simple descriptions, especially if there is
visual support.
Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4 Unit 5 Unit 6 Unit 7 Unit 8 Unit 9 Unit 10 Unit 11 Unit 12
12–13 24 30–31 38–39 48–49 56–57 66–67 78 84–85 92–93 102–103 110–111
16 26–27 34 42 52 60 70 80–81 88 96 106 114
44–45 62–63 98–99 116–117
45 63 99 117

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SPEAKING
OVERALL SPOKEN INTERACTION
At A1, learners can:
●● interact in a simple way, but communication is totally dependent on repetition at a slower rate of speech,

rephrasing and repair

●● ask and answer simple questions, initiate and respond to simple statements in areas of immediate need or

on very familiar topics addressed carefully and slowly to them.

CONVERSATION
Can make an introduction and use basic greeting and leave-taking expressions.
Can ask how people are and react to news.
Can understand everyday expressions aimed at the satisfaction of simple needs of a concrete type, delivered directly to him/
her in clear, slow and repeated speech by a sympathetic speaker.
Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4 Unit 5 Unit 6 Unit 7 Unit 8 Unit 9 Unit 10 Unit 11 Unit 12
16 21 31 38 55 57 67 75 84 93 103 111
19 25 37 39 63 69 85 97 107
27 73 86
91

Welcome: 11
GOAL-ORIENTED COOPERATION (e.g. repairing a car, discussing a document, organising an event)
Can understand questions and instructions addressed carefully and slowly to them and follow short, simple directions.
Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4 Unit 5 Unit 6 Unit 7 Unit 8 Unit 9 Unit 10 Unit 11 Unit 12
13 41 96
43

TRANSACTIONS TO OBTAIN GOODS AND SERVICES

Can ask people for things and give people things.
Can handle numbers, quantities, cost, and time.
Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4 Unit 5 Unit 6 Unit 7 Unit 8 Unit 9 Unit 10 Unit 11 Unit 12
43 89 113

INFORMATION EXCHANGE
Can follow short, simple directions.
Can ask and answer questions about themselves and other people, where they live, people they know, things they have.
Can indicate time by such phrases as next week, last Friday, in November, three o’clock.
Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4 Unit 5 Unit 6 Unit 7 Unit 8 Unit 9 Unit 10 Unit 11 Unit 12
12 20 30 38 51 58 68 79 86 94 105 112
14 22 32 40 52 59 69 89 95 113
15 23 33 41 61 70 115
19 35 71

Welcome: 4, 5, 8, 11

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SPEAKING
INTERVIEWING AND BEING INTERVIEWED
Can reply in an interview to simple direct questions spoken very slowly and clearly in direct non-idiomatic speech about
personal details.
Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4 Unit 5 Unit 6 Unit 7 Unit 8 Unit 9 Unit 10 Unit 11 Unit 12
13 23 52 61 68 79 115
14

OVERALL SPOKEN PRODUCTION

At A1, learners can produce simple, mainly isolated, phrases about people and places.
SUSTAINED MONOLOGUE: Describing Experience
Can describe themselves, what they do and where they live.
Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4 Unit 5 Unit 6 Unit 7 Unit 8 Unit 9 Unit 10 Unit 11 Unit 12
15 35 39 49 56 68 75 85 94 104 110
50 60 71 77 87 107 115
51 61 81 89
53

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WRITING
OVERALL WRITTEN PRODUCTION AND INTERACTION
At A1, learners can:
●● use isolated phrases and sentences

●● ask for or pass on personal details in written form.

OVERALL WRITTEN PRODUCTION

Can write simple isolated words and phrases.
Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4 Unit 5 Unit 6 Unit 7 Unit 8 Unit 9 Unit 10 Unit 11 Unit 12
17 27 35 45 53 63 71 81 89 99 109 117

Welcome: 10
CORRESPONDENCE
Can write a short simple postcard, email, etc.
Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4 Unit 5 Unit 6 Unit 7 Unit 8 Unit 9 Unit 10 Unit 11 Unit 12
27 81

CREATIVE WRITING
Can write simple phrases and sentences about themselves and imaginary people, where they live and what they do.
Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4 Unit 5 Unit 6 Unit 7 Unit 8 Unit 9 Unit 10 Unit 11 Unit 12
17 35 45 53 63 71 99 109 117

COHERENCE
Can link words or groups of words with very basic linear connectors like and or then.
Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4 Unit 5 Unit 6 Unit 7 Unit 8 Unit 9 Unit 10 Unit 11 Unit 12
109

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COMMUNICATIVE LANGUAGE COMPETENCE

VOCABULARY RANGE
Has a basic vocabulary repertoire of isolated words and phrases related to particular concrete situations.
Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4 Unit 5 Unit 6 Unit 7 Unit 8 Unit 9 Unit 10 Unit 11 Unit 12
12 20 30 38 48 56 66 74 84 92 102 110
14 22 32 40 50 58 68 79 86 94 104 112
16 25 35 41 53 60 69 81 89 97 107 113
17 27 37 42 55 61 71 91 99 109 115
19 43 63 73 117
45

Welcome: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
GRAMMATICAL ACCURACY
Shows limited control of a few simple grammatical structures and sentence patterns in a learned repertoire.
Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4 Unit 5 Unit 6 Unit 7 Unit 8 Unit 9 Unit 10 Unit 11 Unit 12
14 22 32 40 50 58 68 76 86 94 104 112
15 23 33 41 51 59 71 78 87 95 105 115
25 34 52 89 97 107

Welcome: 6, 8
PHONOLOGICAL CONTROL
Pronunciation of learned words and phrases can be understood by expert speakers used to dealing with speakers of their
language group.
Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4 Unit 5 Unit 6 Unit 7 Unit 8 Unit 9 Unit 10 Unit 11 Unit 12
120 120 120 120 120 120 121 121 121 121 121 121

SOCIOLINGUISTIC APPROPRIATENESS
Can establish basic social contact by using the simplest everyday polite forms of greetings and farewells, introductions, saying
please, thank you, sorry, etc.
Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4 Unit 5 Unit 6 Unit 7 Unit 8 Unit 9 Unit 10 Unit 11 Unit 12
16 37 55 73 91
19
Welcome: 7, 11

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Part 3 How each unit of Think Starter relates to the CEFR

WELCOME UNIT
Skill Goal Pages
8
Listening OVERALL LISTENING COMPREHENSION
9
10
Speaking CONVERSATION 7
11
INFORMATION EXCHANGE 4
5
8
11
Communicative VOCABULARY RANGE 4
language 5
competence 6
7
8
9
10
11
GRAMMATICAL ACCURACY 6
8
SOCIOLINGUISTIC APPROPRIATENESS 7
11

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UNIT 1
Skill Goal Pages
Listening OVERALL LISTENING COMPREHENSION 15
18–19
Reading READING FOR INFORMATION AND ARGUMENT 12–13
16
Speaking CONVERSATION 16
19
GOAL-ORIENTED COOPERATION 13
(e.g. Repairing a car, discussing a document, organising an event)
INFORMATION EXCHANGE 12
14
15
19
INTERVIEWING AND BEING INTERVIEWED 13
14
19
SUSTAINED MONOLOGUE: Describing Experience 15
Writing OVERALL WRITTEN PRODUCTION 17
CREATIVE WRITING 17
Communicative VOCABULARY RANGE 12
language 14
competence 16
17
19
GRAMMATICAL ACCURACY 14
15
PHONOLOGICAL CONTROL 120
SOCIOLINGUISTIC APPROPRIATENESS 16
19

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UNIT 2
Skill Goal Pages
Listening OVERALL LISTENING COMPREHENSION 23

Reading READING CORRESPONDENCE 20–21

27
READING FOR INFORMATION AND ARGUMENT 24
26–27
Speaking CONVERSATION 21
25
27
GOAL-ORIENTED COOPERATION 22
(e.g. Repairing a car, discussing a document, organising an event)
INFORMATION EXCHANGE 20
22
23
INTERVIEWING AND BEING INTERVIEWED 23
Writing OVERALL WRITTEN PRODUCTION 27
CORRESPONDENCE 27
Communicative VOCABULARY RANGE 20
language 22
competence 25
27
GRAMMATICAL ACCURACY 22
23
25
PHONOLOGICAL CONTROL 120

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UNIT 3
Skill Goal Pages
Listening OVERALL LISTENING COMPREHENSION 33
36–37
Reading READING FOR INFORMATION AND ARGUMENT 30–31
34
Speaking CONVERSATION 31
37
INFORMATION EXCHANGE 30
32
33
35
SUSTAINED MONOLOGUE: Describing Experience 35
Writing OVERALL WRITTEN PRODUCTION 35
CREATIVE WRITING 35
Communicative VOCABULARY RANGE 30
language 32
competence 35
37
GRAMMATICAL ACCURACY 32
33
34
PHONOLOGICAL CONTROL 120
SOCIOLINGUISTIC APPROPRIATENESS 37

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UNIT 4
Skill Goal Pages
Listening OVERALL LISTENING COMPREHENSION 41
LISTENING TO ANNOUNCEMENTS AND INSTRUCTIONS 41
Reading READING FOR INFORMATION AND ARGUMENT 38–39
42
44–45
45
Speaking CONVERSATION 38
39
GOAL-ORIENTED COOPERATION 41
(e.g. repairing a car, discussing a document, organising an event) 43
INFORMATION EXCHANGE 38
40
41
SUSTAINED MONOLOGUE: Describing Experience 39
Writing OVERALL WRITTEN PRODUCTION 45
CREATIVE WRITING 45
Communicative VOCABULARY RANGE 38
language 40
competence 41
42
43
45
GRAMMATICAL ACCURACY 40
41
PHONOLOGICAL CONTROL 120

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UNIT 5
Skill Goal Pages
Listening OVERALL LISTENING COMPREHENSION 51
54–55
Reading READING FOR INFORMATION AND ARGUMENT 48–49
52
Speaking CONVERSATION 55
INFORMATION EXCHANGE 51
52
INTERVIEWING AND BEING INTERVIEWED 52
SUSTAINED MONOLOGUE: Describing Experience 49
50
51
53
Writing OVERALL WRITTEN PRODUCTION 53
CREATIVE WRITING 53
Communicative VOCABULARY RANGE 48
language 50
competence 53
55
GRAMMATICAL ACCURACY 50
51
52
PHONOLOGICAL CONTROL 120
SOCIOLINGUISTIC APPROPRIATENESS 55

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UNIT 6
Skill Goal Pages
Listening OVERALL LISTENING COMPREHENSION 59

Reading READING FOR INFORMATION AND ARGUMENT 56–57

60
62–63
63
Speaking CONVERSATION 57
63
INFORMATION EXCHANGE 58
59
61
SUSTAINED MONOLOGUE: Describing Experience 56
60
61
Writing OVERALL WRITTEN PRODUCTION 63
CREATIVE WRITING 63
Communicative VOCABULARY RANGE 56
language 58
competence 60
61
63
GRAMMATICAL ACCURACY 58
59
PHONOLOGICAL CONTROL 120

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UNIT 7
Skill Goal Pages
Listening OVERALL LISTENING COMPREHENSION 69
72–73
Reading READING FOR INFORMATION AND ARGUMENT 66–67
70
Speaking CONVERSATION 67
69
73
INFORMATION EXCHANGE 68
69
70
71
INTERVIEWING AND BEING INTERVIEWED 68
SUSTAINED MONOLOGUE: Describing Experience 68
71
Writing OVERALL WRITTEN PRODUCTION 71
CREATIVE WRITING 71
Communicative VOCABULARY RANGE 66
language 68
competence 69
71
73
GRAMMATICAL ACCURACY 68
71
PHONOLOGICAL CONTROL 121
SOCIOLINGUISTIC APPROPRIATENESS 73

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UNIT 8
Skill Goal Pages
Listening OVERALL LISTENING COMPREHENSION 77

Reading READING CORRESPONDENCE 74–75

81
READING FOR INFORMATION AND ARGUMENT 78
80–81
Speaking CONVERSATION 75
INFORMATION EXCHANGE 79
86
INTERVIEWING AND BEING INTERVIEWED 79
SUSTAINED MONOLOGUE: Describing Experience 75
77
81
Writing OVERALL WRITTEN PRODUCTION 81
CORRESPONDENCE 81
Communicative VOCABULARY RANGE 74
language 78
competence 79
GRAMMATICAL ACCURACY 76
78
PHONOLOGICAL CONTROL 121

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UNIT 9
Skill Goal Pages
Listening OVERALL LISTENING COMPREHENSION 87
90–91
Reading READING FOR ORIENTATION 88
READING FOR INFORMATION AND ARGUMENT 84–85
88
Speaking CONVERSATION 84
85
86
91
TRANSACTIONS TO OBTAIN GOODS AND SERVICES 89
SUSTAINED MONOLOGUE: Describing Experience 85
87
89
Writing OVERALL WRITTEN PRODUCTION 89

Communicative VOCABULARY RANGE 84

language 86
competence 89
91
GRAMMATICAL ACCURACY 86
87
89
PHONOLOGICAL CONTROL 121
SOCIOLINGUISTIC APPROPRIATENESS 91

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UNIT 10
Skill Goal Pages
Listening OVERALL LISTENING COMPREHENSION 95

Reading READING FOR INFORMATION AND ARGUMENT 92–93

96
98–99
99
Speaking CONVERSATION 93
97
GOAL-ORIENTED COOPERATION 96
(e.g. repairing a car, discussing a document, organising an event)
INFORMATION EXCHANGE 94
95
SUSTAINED MONOLOGUE: Describing Experience 94
Writing OVERALL WRITTEN PRODUCTION 99
CREATIVE WRITING 99
Communicative VOCABULARY RANGE 92
language 94
competence 97
99
GRAMMATICAL ACCURACY 94
95
97
PHONOLOGICAL CONTROL 121

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UNIT 11
Skill Goal Pages
Listening OVERALL LISTENING COMPREHENSION 105
108–109
Reading READING FOR INFORMATION AND ARGUMENT 102–103
106
Speaking CONVERSATION 103
107
INFORMATION EXCHANGE 105
SUSTAINED MONOLOGUE: Describing Experience 104
107
Writing OVERALL WRITTEN PRODUCTION 109
CREATIVE WRITING 109
COHERENCE 109
Communicative VOCABULARY RANGE 102
language 104
competence 107
109
GRAMMATICAL ACCURACY 104
105
107
PHONOLOGICAL CONTROL 121

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UNIT 12
Skill Goal Pages
Listening OVERALL LISTENING COMPREHENSION 113

Reading READING FOR INFORMATION AND ARGUMENT 110–111

114
116–117
117
Speaking CONVERSATION 111
TRANSACTIONS TO OBTAIN GOODS AND SERVICES 113
INFORMATION EXCHANGE 112
113
115
SUSTAINED MONOLOGUE: Describing Experience 110
115
Writing OVERALL WRITTEN PRODUCTION 117
CREATIVE WRITING 117
Communicative VOCABULARY RANGE 110
language 112
competence 113
115
117
GRAMMATICAL ACCURACY 112
115
PHONOLOGICAL CONTROL 121

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