Workplace Competency Levels: Talking About Your Skills
CEFR: B1
Read/Listen first
Today I had my annual competency review with my manager. We looked at a chart that shows four levels: basic, developing, proficient, and expert. I have worked in this company for eight years, so I expected to be at least proficient in most areas. Last year, we had a big change in our competency framework, so I had to review my own skills honestly. My manager said my technical performance has improved a lot, but my communication level could be stronger when I present complex graphs to senior managers. I was able to explain some difficult slides clearly, but I still needed more structure. We also talked about training objectives for next year. I will take an English course to practice presentations and emails, and I am going to lead one small project so I can show that I can manage a team.⚡ Learning goals
- Can describe different workplace competency levels during a performance review.
- Can talk about past performance and recent improvement using past simple and present perfect.
- Can discuss future training objectives and actions to reach a higher level.
✨ Key language
- at a proficient level “My skills are at a proficient level in most areas.”
- competency framework “Our company updated its competency framework last year.”
- training objectives “We agreed on clear training objectives for next year.”
⚙️ Rules & Grammar — 4 Structures
1️⃣ Present perfect for improvement
Rule: Use have or has plus the past participle to show progress or change that affects the present.Examples: I have worked in this company for eight years.; My technical performance has improved a lot.; Our skills have become stronger over time.
Common pitfall + fix: Learners often use the past simple with for or since. Use the present perfect instead: “I have worked here for eight years.”.
Choose the correct sentence.
Tip: Use have or has plus a past participle with for and since.
Fill with the best answer: I ___ in this company for eight years.
Tip: Remember have or has plus the past participle.
2️⃣ Past simple for finished events
Rule: Use the past simple to talk about actions that finished at a clear time in the past.Examples: Last year, we had a big change in our competency framework.; My manager said my performance was better this year.; We talked about my results yesterday.
Common pitfall + fix: Learners sometimes use the present perfect with finished time expressions like last year. Use the past simple instead with last, yesterday, or ago.
Which sentence correctly uses the past simple?
Tip: Use the past simple with finished time expressions like last year or yesterday.
Fill with the best answer: My manager ___ my technical performance was better.
Tip: Use the past form of say to describe what your manager told you.
3️⃣ Had to for past obligation
Rule: Use had to to talk about something that was necessary or obligatory in the past.Examples: I had to review my own skills honestly.; We had to update our competency framework.; I had to prepare slides for the meeting.
Common pitfall + fix: Many learners use must in the past. Use had to instead to show past obligation.
Choose the correct sentence about past obligation.
Tip: Use had to, not must, for obligations in the past.
Fill with the best answer: We ___ complete the self-assessment before the meeting.
Tip: Use had to for something that was necessary in the past.
4️⃣ Going to for future plans
Rule: Use am, is, or are going to plus a verb to talk about future plans or intentions.Examples: I am going to lead one small project.; We are going to set new training objectives.; My manager is going to support my development plan.
Common pitfall + fix: Learners sometimes mix will and going to without thinking. Use going to when the plan already exists.
Which sentence shows a planned future action?
Tip: Use going to when you already decided your future action.
Fill with the best answer: We ___ new training objectives in January.
Tip: Use am, is, or are plus going to plus the base verb.
✍️ Vocabulary
competency
Meaning: the ability to do a job or task to an accepted standard.Synonyms: capability, skill, proficiency.
Chunk/Idiom: competency level.
Example: My competency level in project management has improved this year.
Morphology: noun; related adjective: competent.
Self-practice: Write one sentence about your own competency in a key work task.
framework
Meaning: a structured system or set of rules used to organise ideas or work.Synonyms: structure, system, model.
Chunk/Idiom: competency framework.
Example: Our company uses a clear competency framework to assess performance.
Morphology: noun; plural form: frameworks.
Self-practice: Describe one framework or system your company uses at work.
performance
Meaning: how well someone does their job or completes a task.Synonyms: results, effectiveness, achievement.
Chunk/Idiom: performance review.
Example: My manager said my performance has improved a lot recently.
Morphology: noun; related verb: perform.
Self-practice: Write one sentence about your performance this year at work.
communication
Meaning: the act of sharing information, ideas, or feelings with other people.Synonyms: interaction, messaging, expression.
Chunk/Idiom: communication skills.
Example: My communication skills need to be stronger in meetings with senior managers.
Morphology: noun; related adjective: communicative.
Self-practice: Describe one situation where clear communication is important at work.
training
Meaning: organised learning activities that help people develop skills or knowledge.Synonyms: coaching, development, instruction.
Chunk/Idiom: training objectives.
Example: We set new training objectives to support my future development.
Morphology: noun; related verb: train.
Self-practice: Write one sentence about the training you would like next year.
objective
Meaning: a specific result or goal that you plan to achieve.Synonyms: target, aim, goal.
Chunk/Idiom: clear objectives.
Example: One objective is to lead a small project to show my skills.
Morphology: noun; related adjective: objective in attitude.
Self-practice: Write two objectives for your own professional development this year.
☁️ Examples (+ audio)
I have worked in this company for eight years.
Last year, we had a big change in our competency framework.
My technical performance has improved a lot this year.
I am going to lead one small project to reach an expert level.
✏️ Exercises
Grammar
Choose the best option: My technical performance ___ a lot this year.
Tip: Present perfect uses has or have plus a past participle.
Choose the correct verb: Last year, we ___ a big change in our framework.
Tip: Use the past simple form with finished time expressions.
Fill with the best answer:
I ___ review my own skills honestly.Tip: Use had to for necessary actions in the past.
Fill with the best answer:
Next year, I ___ one small project.Tip: Use am, is, or are plus going to plus the base verb.
Vocabulary & Comprehension
Which word means the ability to do a job to a good standard?
Tip: Think about the word used with level in the mini text.
What do we call a formal meeting to discuss results and future goals?
Tip: Look for a phrase from the vocabulary section or mini text.
Fill with the best answer:
We use a competency ___ to describe different levels.Tip: It is the structured system that organises the levels.
Fill with the best answer:
We agreed clear training ___ for next year.Tip: Use the plural form of objective.
✅ Guided practice
Mini-dialogue:
A: How would you describe your current competency level in communication?B: I think I am at a developing level, especially when I present complex graphs.
A: What training objectives are you going to set for next year?
B: I am going to take an English course and lead one small project to practise these skills.
Why this matters:
Clear language about competency levels helps you ask for the right support. It shows you can reflect on your own performance. It also makes performance reviews more concrete and productive.Verb & Adjective Pack:
assess — We assess each skill against the four competency levels.improve — I want to improve my communication in meetings.
proficient — She is proficient at explaining technical graphs to clients.
developing — He is still developing his leadership skills.
Try & compare:
Fill with the best answer: I am already ___ in technical skills but still developing in communication.
Tip: Use the adjective that matches a strong level in the framework.
Self-correction: Fix the sentence: My manager say my technical performance improve a lot this year.
Tip: Use the past simple of say and the present perfect form has improved.
Practice aloud: Listen, repeat, then type the sentence.
I am going to lead one small project to show my competency level.
Tip: Focus on the rhythm of am going to and the phrase competency level.