The Finnish application of the language pro+ ciency scales of the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR) is used as the base of evaluation in the integration training at all levels, even in the language and literacy training of nonliterate adults. For this purpose the most notable shortcoming of this application is the lack of descriptions below the level A1.1, implicating that the learners below this level have no language skills. Nor are there other tools precise enough for the evaluation of emergent writing skills. Thus the aim of this article is to describe the features of emergent writing skills below A1.1. For this I report a longitudinal case study of one non-literate Finnish learner.