Here are 3 ways to marry proficiency and performance using task cards in Spanish class! When teaching World Language, it is important to acknowledge the difference between proficiency and performance. Proficiency is a person’s overall ability to understand and be understood in the target language. According to ACTFL, there are 4 main stages (Novice, Intermediate, Advanced and Superior), and it can take years and years to move through the Intermediate stage. Performance, on the other hand, indicates a person’s ability to perform very specific tasks in the TL. If you need more information on Performance vs Proficiency, read this blog post!