The Canadian Language Benchmarks are a 12-point scale of task-based language proficiency descriptors used to guide the teaching and assessment of ESL learners in Canada. Like the [[Common European Framework of Reference for Languages]] and the [[ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines]], the Canadian Language Benchmarks describe ESL learners' successive levels of communicative achievement. The CLB's 12 benchmarks are divided into 3 parts: Stage I: Basic Proficiency; Stage II: Intermediate Proficiency; and Stage III: Advanced Proficiency.
Each benchmark is then described in terms of "can do" statements or "Performance Descriptors". For example, the following is the summary descriptor for Benchmark 5: Initial Intermediate Proficiency for writing.
