(1) A student at the end of benchmark 3, at the proficient level of world languages demonstrates solid academic performance.   He/she:

(a) initiates, sustains, and concludes conversations, in a variety of contexts, comprehensible to a native speaker;

(b) comprehends and responds to oral and/or written communication intended for a native speaker;

(c) consistently uses a variety of language strategies to convey meaning in the target language;

(d) analyzes and evaluates significant cultural contributions to effectively interact in authentic situations;

(e) integrates information from authentic sources and applies that information and skills to familiar and unfamiliar contexts;

(f) acquires and integrates world cultures information and perspectives from authentic sources;  

(g) confidently applies, in a variety of contexts, sound and structural patterns and idiomatic expressions of the target language and his/her first language to communicate effectively;

(h) analyzes and explains significant similarities and differences among target cultures to interact effectively in a variety of contexts; and

(i) extends classroom learning by seeking out language and culture connections and by communicating his/her findings.