learning-language-level-calibration
Assess content difficulty by language proficiency level, calibrate reading level for multilingual learners, adapt content for language proficiency, and design language scaffolding. Use when creating content for non-native speakers. Activates on "language level", "proficiency calibration", "readability", or "language learners".
When & Why to Use This Skill
This Claude skill automates the assessment and calibration of content difficulty based on global language proficiency standards like CEFR and ACTFL. It empowers educators and content creators to adapt complex materials for non-native speakers, ensuring optimal readability through vocabulary analysis, sentence simplification, and the generation of language-sensitive scaffolding.
Use Cases
- Curriculum Adaptation: Automatically simplifying advanced academic or technical texts into specific CEFR levels (e.g., A2 or B1) for ESL/ELL students.
- Multilingual Classroom Support: Generating multiple versions of the same instructional material at different proficiency levels to support diverse learner needs simultaneously.
- Readability Auditing: Analyzing existing training manuals or documents to identify linguistic barriers and providing metrics like Flesch-Kincaid or Lexile scores.
- Instructional Scaffolding: Creating supplementary aids such as word banks, sentence frames, and glossaries to help non-native speakers engage with complex subject matter.
| name | learning-language-level-calibration |
|---|---|
| description | Assess content difficulty by language proficiency level, calibrate reading level for multilingual learners, adapt content for language proficiency, and design language scaffolding. Use when creating content for non-native speakers. Activates on "language level", "proficiency calibration", "readability", or "language learners". |
Learning Language Level Calibration
Calibrate educational content difficulty for language proficiency levels and multilingual learners.
When to Use
- Creating content for English Language Learners (ELL/ESL)
- Adapting for multilingual classrooms
- Language-sensitive subject instruction
- Supporting non-native speakers
- International student programs
Proficiency Frameworks
CEFR Levels (Common European Framework)
- A1 (Beginner): Basic phrases, simple interactions
- A2 (Elementary): Routine tasks, simple descriptions
- B1 (Intermediate): Main points of clear input, workplace basics
- B2 (Upper Intermediate): Complex text, spontaneous interaction
- C1 (Advanced): Implicit meaning, flexible language use
- C2 (Proficient): Subtle distinctions, near-native fluency
Other Frameworks
- ACTFL (American Council): Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, Superior, Distinguished
- ILR (Interagency Language Roundtable): 0-5 scale
- Cambridge English: KET, PET, FCE, CAE, CPE
Calibration Factors
Vocabulary Complexity
Word Frequency:
- A1-A2: Most frequent 1,000-2,000 words
- B1-B2: 3,000-5,000 words
- C1-C2: 8,000+ words, academic vocabulary
Technical Terms:
- Glossary support needed
- Visual aids
- Translations or explanations
Sentence Structure
Complexity by Level:
- A1-A2: Simple sentences, present tense focus
- B1-B2: Compound sentences, various tenses
- C1-C2: Complex subordination, passive voice, conditionals
Text Length
Appropriate Length:
- A1: 50-100 words per section
- B1: 200-300 words
- C1: 500+ words, longer paragraphs
Cultural Load
Background Knowledge:
- Explicit cultural references
- Idioms and expressions
- Implicit meanings
Adaptation Strategies
Simplification
Techniques:
- Break long sentences
- Use active voice
- Replace rare words with common alternatives
- Add visual supports
- Provide glossaries
Scaffolding
Language Supports:
- Sentence frames
- Word banks
- Graphic organizers
- Multilingual glossaries
- Translation aids (strategic, not crutches)
CLI Interface
# Assess content level
/learning.language-level-calibration --content "lesson.md" --estimate-level
# Adapt to target level
/learning.language-level-calibration --content "advanced-text.md" --target-level "B1" --output simplified.md
# Create scaffolded versions
/learning.language-level-calibration --content "article.md" --levels "A2,B1,B2,C1" --output levels/
# Readability metrics
/learning.language-level-calibration --content "course/" --metrics "CEFR,Flesch-Kincaid,Lexile"
Output
- Language proficiency level assessment
- Vocabulary analysis (frequency, academic word list)
- Sentence complexity metrics
- Adapted content at target levels
- Scaffolding recommendations
Composition
Input from: /curriculum.develop-content, /learning.translation
Works with: /learning.cefr-alignment, /curriculum.review-accessibility
Output to: Language-calibrated learning materials
Exit Codes
- 0: Calibration complete
- 1: Content too complex to simplify
- 2: Target level incompatible with content