Criteria concerning what a learner can successfully do with language in the real world, against which they can be assessed or self-assess themselves, is called what?

• A. Can-do statement
• B. Rubric
• C. Benchmark
• D. Proficiency criterion

Answer: (A)

Can-do statements describe what a learner can actually do with language in real-world situations, and they are used for assessment or self-assessment. They frame language ability around observable tasks—like asking for directions, making a plan, or giving a brief explanation—and provide concrete targets you can aim for. This focus on functional performance makes them ideal for both formal assessment and self-evaluation, because you can judge progress by whether you can complete those real tasks. A rubric, while helpful for grading, lays out levels of quality for performance on tasks rather than listing the real-world tasks themselves. A benchmark serves as a standard for comparison, not a learner-centered set of tasks. A proficiency criterion is a general measure of ability, not the concrete, real-life tasks learners should be able to perform. So the best fit is can-do statements.