Threshold 1990 is a statement of language learning objectives which specifies what communication learners at a broadly intermediate level should be expected to achieve in a range of everyday situations. It sets out the topics, functions and notions, and their lexical and grammatical exponents. Further specifications include sociocultural competence, learning to learn, pronunciation and intonation.Threshold is of interest to all those concerned with syllabus and course design, materials writing, language planning, and evaluation and assessment.