The Vancouver Language Institute values its students and is committed to offering quality instruction. Our ESL syllabus is based on learners' needs rather than primarily on language structures. However, we do value language structures as a source for self-managed reflectrion and self-correction.   In developing a VLI framework for our syllabus, we reference "The ALTE Framework" based on work done by the Council of Europe. This framework comprises six main levels. VLI has introduced a recommended seventh ESL level for students planning to enter college in one of the Humanities.   Our VLI-Levels:   VLI-Level A - Pre-Beginner (B0) (ALTE A1 - Breakthrough)   Objective: A basic ability to communicate and exchange information in a simple way. (Example: Can ask simple questions about a menu and understand simple answers.)   VLI-Level 1 - Lower Beginner (B1) (Cambridge KET) (ALTE A2 - Waystage)   Objective: An ability to deal with simple, straightforward information and begin to express oneself in a familiar contexts. (Example: Can take part in a routine conversation on simple predictable topics.)   VLI-Level 2 - Upper Beginner (B2)  (Cambridge PET) (ALTE B1 - Threshhold)   Objective: An ability to express oneself in a limited way in familiar situations and to deal in a general way with non-routine information. (Example: Can ask to open an account at a bank, provided that the procedure in not complex.)   VLI-Level 3 - Lower Intermediate (I-1)  (Cambridge FCE Certificate) (ALTE B2 - Vantage)   Objective: A capacity to achieve most goals and express oneself on a range of topics. (Example: Can show visitors round and give a detailed description of a place.)   VLI-Level 4 - Upper Intermediate (I-2) (Cambridge CAE Certificate) (ALTE C1 - Effective Operational Proficiency) Objective: Students must demonstrate an ability to communicate, with an evaluation as to how well it is done in terms of appropriacy, sensitivity and capacity to deal with unfamiliar topics.   VLI-Level 5 - Lower Advanced (Adv. 1) (Cambridge CPE Certificate) (ALTE C2 - Mastery)   This level represents the highest levelof ability within the ALTE Framework. Objective: Students are to demonstrate a fully operational command of spoken English, requiring students to support opinions with reason and/or justifications. Students must demonstrate a capacity to deal with material which is academically or cognitively demanding.   VLI-Level 6 - Upper Advanced (Adv. 2) (Introduction to college level Language Arts)   Objective: Students are to demonstrate a range of skills in rhetoric, writing genres, debate and literature analysis.