It is the standard grading scale for language proficiency in the United States's federal-level service.
The following describes the traits of an ILR Level 1 individual: The majority of individuals classified as Level 1 are able to perform most basic functions using the language; this includes buying goods, reading the time, ordering simple meals and asking for minimal directions Limited working proficiency is rated 2 on the scale.
A person at this level is described as follows: Individuals classified at level 3 are able to use the language as part of normal professional duties and can reliably elicit information and informed opinion from native speakers; examples include answering objections, clarifying points, stating and defending policy, conducting meetings, and reading with almost complete comprehension a variety of prose material on familiar and unfamiliar topics such as news reports, routine correspondence, and technical material in trained fields of competence.
A person rated at this level should have the following characteristics: Individuals classified at level 4 are able to understand the details and ramifications of concepts that are culturally or conceptually different from their own language and can set the tone of interpersonal official, semi-official and non-professional verbal exchanges with a representative range of native speakers; examples include playing an effective role among native speakers in contexts such as conferences, lectures and debates on matters of disagreement, as well as advocating a position at length.
A person at this level is described as follows: A table published by the American University Center of Provence gave the following correspondences between the ILR, the European language proficiency scale CEFR, and the proficiency scale of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL):[2] However, a comparison between the ILR self-assessment grids (reading, speaking, listening)[3] and the CEFR assessment grid[4] could suggest a different equivalence:[5]