Understand a learner at a glance
Select the student’s reported WIDA level for each skill. See language capabilities to look for, a subject context and support you can use.
Use the relevant domain levels from the student’s report; select a whole-number level to explore its examples. These summaries focus on WIDA’s Explain key use. Levels 1–5 describe examples by the end of each level, not guaranteed performance at every score within it. A student’s profile can differ across skills.
Add classroom observations
How to interpret this guide
These are concise paraphrases and original teaching examples, not a test of subject knowledge or a ceiling on learning. Check the student’s responses in the actual task, with and without support. Do not convert WIDA levels into CEFR or BICS/CALP labels. Familiar conversation does not show every academic language demand.
WIDA’s Can Do Key Uses edition remains a supplementary resource and has not yet been updated to align with the 2020 ELD Standards Framework. For other purposes—Recount, Argue and Discuss—consult the complete descriptors.
Open official grade-band descriptors →