Grades one to five are designed for 12-17 year old students of varying abilities. They are a means whereby young people are encouraged to be lucid and lively in communicating their personal skills and thoughts and in interpreting the printed word. Vigour and clarity are important parts of the speech of these students. Grades six to eight extend the students’ oral skills and introduce them to theory work. These grades are precursors to the Diploma Examinations.