Language Proficiency Terms

noun a person who knows and is able to use several languages

adjective knowing or using several languages

• The conference interpreter was a true polyglot, fluent in five different languages.
• My friend is such a polyglot, she can speak Spanish, French, and Italian with ease.
• I wish I was a polyglot like him, then I could talk to anyone in the world!
• Being a polyglot in the world of technology means being fluent in multiple programming languages.

noun a quality or characteristic of being similar to or resembling a native or original form or state

• The linguist measured the level of native-likeness in the language learner's speech.
• She was impressed by how close his pronunciation was to native-likeness.
• His accent was so good, it was almost at native-likeness.
• The artist aimed to achieve a native-likeness in her depiction of the landscape.

noun a program that helps students develop their cognitive academic language proficiency

• The CALP assessment is designed to measure a student's cognitive academic language proficiency.
• I need to study for the CALP test coming up next week.
• I aced the CALP exam without even studying!
• Improving your CALP skills is like unlocking a whole new level of academic success.