
Proficiency: "The ability to use language in real world situations in a spontaneous interaction and non-rehearsed context and in a manner acceptable and appropriate to a native speaker of that language."
Performance: "The ability to use language that has been learned and practiced in an instructional setting".
ACTFL Performance Descriptors for Language Learners
While it is essential to set high expectations for our students, those expectations must be attainable. and developmentally approriate If not, we risk pushing our students away from language learning.