No competence.

Can copy script in the foreign language.

Can perform writing tasks involving minimal linguistic creativity, principally the adaptation (through substitution etc.) of routine written forms to particular circumstances. Can fill in forms.
Can take dictation given slowly and with repetitions, but will need correction afterwards.

Can construct individual sentences in English, though with frequent grammatical and orthographical error. Very limited in capacity to construct continuous text and unable to adapt text stylistically. Can adjust largely predetermined types of text to suit particular factual situations.
Generally dependent on use of dictionary for anything except well-rehearsed material.

Can construct continuous texts in second language reporting sequences of events and factual information. Can produce longer texts according to standard format provided on familiar topics with recurrent themes. Communication successful within these limits but grammatical errors, particularly errors of syntax will still occur. Limited capacity for stylistic variation. Not competent to prepare discursive texts or to cope with quite unforeseen needs associated with domain of activity.
Dictionary still an essential tool.

Can produce texts appropriate to all purposes associated with overall objectives. Descriptive, narrative and discursive writing all possible, although still influenced by features of L1 writing. Formal grammatical errors occur only occasionally. Cannot develop rhetorical features of writing as effectively as in mother-tongue and therefore most unlikely to be mistaken for native speaker. Quite successful in adapting to different stylistic needs, though errors of selection still occur. Most commonly met needs now handled efficiently and with variety. Still tendency to compose more intellectually ambitious material in L1 and translate into L2.
Limited use of dictionary necessary.

Entirely competent to write language relevant to objectives. Grammatically and orthographically free of error. Can adapt style to circumstances. Range of vocabulary wide and great flexibility in exploitation of grammatical systems.
No need to use reference books.
Distinguishable from native speaker only by very occasionally faulty lexical or stylistic choice and marginally slower rate.

Possessing the writing ability of the educated native speaker in relation to specific objectives. Limit set only by level of education and intelligence of individual.
Level achieved only by person accustomed to working etc., in the foreign language.