When I start a new adult class I generally ask my students questions to get a true evaluation, eventhough the student tells me he or she is a beginner.
I start with questions with the verbs � �to be, and to have � � such as:
What is your name?
Where are you originally from?
When is your birthday?
Do you have brothers or sisters? etc. etc.
If I see they are not having to much difficulty I continue further.
I also have the students follow my lead and ask each other simple questions.
From there I see exactly what I have to teach them.