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ACTFL Assessments Brochure

ACTFL® CERTIFIED PROFICIENCY TESTING PROGRAM:
ORAL AND WRITING PROFICIENCY TESTING
FOR STATE OF ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
– NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND

For the purposes of No Child Left Behind, the State of Alaska Department of Education has determined that the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview and Writing Proficiency Test may be used to meet teacher certification requirements for Russian, Japanese and Chinese.

THE ACTFL ORAL PROFICIENCY INTERVIEW (OPI)®

The ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview, or ACTFL OPI is:

A standardized procedure for the global assessment of functional speaking ability,
A telephonic interview between a Certified ACTFL Tester and a test taker,
A criterion-referenced test that compares an individual's performance of specific oral communication tasks with the criteria for each of ten proficiency levels, as described in the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines-Speaking (Revised 1999).

The ACTFL OPI takes the form of a carefully structured conversation between a trained and certified tester (the person conducting the interview) and the person whose speaking proficiency is being assessed. The interview is interactive and continuously adapts to the speaking ability of the test taker. There is no script or prescribed set of questions; the topics discussed during the interview are based on the interests and experiences of the speaker.

In order to establish a clear "floor" and "ceiling" of consistent functional ability, the interviewer, through a series of personalized questions, elicits from the test candidate examples of his or her ability to handle the communication tasks specified for each level of proficiency. Candidates are also asked to take part in a role-play to prove linguistic functions not easily elicited through a conversational format.

Since the ACTFL OPI is an assessment of functional speaking ability independent of any specific curriculum, it is irrelevant when, where, why and under what conditions the candidate acquired his/her speaking ability in the language.

The interview approximately will last thirty minutes. Each interview is digitally recorded and assigned an initial rating by the tester. The interview is then blindly rated by a second Certified ACTFL Tester. Under the supervision of Language Testing International, the ACTFL Testing Office, a final rating is assigned and an Official ACTFL OPI Certificate is issued.

THE ACTFL WRITING PROFICIENCY TEST (WPT)

The ACTFL Writing Proficiency Test, or ACTFL WPT is:

A standardized procedure for the global assessment of functional writing ability,
A test that requires the candidate to read prompts in English and compose written responses in the target language without the aid of dictionaries or grammar references,
A criterion-referenced test that compares an individual's performance of specific communication tasks with the criteria for each of ten proficiency levels, as described in the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines-Writing (Revised 2001).

The ACTFL WPT is a carefully constructed assessment with four requests for written responses that deal with practical, social and professional topics encountered in informal and formal contexts. The writer is presented with tasks and contexts that represent the range of proficiency levels from Novice to Superior on the ACTFL scale. The tasks and prompts are articulated in English with the expectation that the responses be written in the target language. Each prompt requires a written, constructed response of a paragraph length or longer that demonstrates narrative, informative and persuasive writing.

Since the ACTFL WPT is an assessment of functional writing ability independent of any specific curriculum, it is irrelevant when, where, why and under what conditions the candidate acquired his/her writing ability in the language.

The test taker is given 80 (internet) or 90 (booklet) minutes to read the directions and complete the test. A completed WPT is reviewed by a Certified ACTFL Rater, who assigns the ACTFL proficiency rating that best describes the proficiency demonstrated by the individual. The test is then forwarded to another Certified ACTFL Rater for a second independent ("blind") rating.

THE ACTFL CERTIFIED TESTERS AND RATERS

ACTFL OPIs and WPTs are conducted and rated by Certified ACTFL Proficiency Testers and Raters. Testers and raters are highly specialized language professionals who have completed a rigorous training process that concludes with each tester or rater demonstrating the ability to consistently elicit ratable samples and/or to rate them with a high degree of reliability. ACTFL strictly monitors all testing and rating.

PASSING PROFICIENCY RATINGS

The Alaska State Department of Education has set a requirement of Advanced Mid as the passing proficiency rating in speaking and Advanced Low as the passing proficiency rating in writing for prospective Russian, Japanese and Chinese teachers. (See http://languagetesting.com/scale.htm for ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines- Speaking and http://languagetesting.com/scale_writing.htm for ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines- Writing.)

ACTFL ASSESSMENTS IN 60+ LANGUAGES

ACTFL provides oral proficiency testing in 60+ languages and written proficiency testing in select languages, both commonly taught and less commonly taught. For a current list of languages, please visit www.languagetesting.com.

FEES FOR ACTFL ASSESSMENTS AND SERVICES

Individual Certified ACTFL OPI	$134.00*
Individual Certified ACTFL WPT	$65.00*
Missed OPI Appointment/No Show	$55.00
Express Processing Service	$50.00

Payment may be made by credit card (Master Card, Visa or Discover Card), money order, or personal check. Payment must accompany application forms.

*For tests that are proctored at the Anchorage School District (ASD), there is an additional $29 OPI test proctor fee and $39 WPT test proctor fee to be paid directly to ASD on the date of the test.

SCHEDULING AN ACTFL OPI

Step 1. Complete an OPI Application Form for Prospective Alaska Teachers Click here for OPI Application

Step 2. Establish a Telephonic OPI Test Site and an Approved Proctor

You may request an OPI to be taken telephonically onsite at Anchorage School District (ASD), 5530 E Northern Lights Blvd., Anchorage, Alaska or at your own school, if you have an appropriate, approved proctor as identified below.

Option 1. Anchorage School District (ASD):

This is an official test site to take ACTFL assessments. Tests are regularly scheduled at ASD on Monday-Thursday between 10am and 2 pm. If you select to take the test at ASD you do NOT need to submit a Proctor Responsibilities and Agreement form with your application.

Option 2. At a K-12 School or University

A telephonic OPI requires the presence of a designated Proctor* who:

Completes and signs a Proctor Responsibilities and Agreement form,Click here for OPI Proctor Agreement (required)
Places the call to the OPI Tester at the scheduled time of the test,
Introduces the test candidate to the OPI Tester,
Confirms the name and identity of the candidate, and
Is free to leave after the introduction, but may remain in the room as long as they do not distract, disturb, or speak to the candidate while they are taking the test.

*K-12 Schools and School District Proctors:

A proctor at a K-12 school or school district may only be a Principal, Assistant Principal, Dean, Administrative Assistant to the Principal or Dean, School District HR personnel, or Academic Chair. No other administrators or staff may act as proctors.

*University or College Proctors:

A proctor at a college may be a Professor, Department Chair, Department Administrative Assistant or Department Coordinator, or Registrar and University Assessment Personnel. No other administrators or staff may act as proctors.

* If a long distance call cannot be placed from the proctor's office telephone, the test candidate should bring a phone card to use in order to place and charge the phone call.

Step 3. Submit Application Package

For your test request to be processed, you must submit ALL of the below:

A completed OPI application including a check, money order, or credit card authorization ,
The OPI Proctor Responsibilities and Agreement form signed by your proctor, if you are requesting an OPI to take place at your school,
A completed Test-Taker Agreement form.

Incomplete application packages will NOT be processed.

Step 4. Wait for Notification by Email of OPI Appointment

Once your application has been processed you will be sent an e-mail with your confirmed test date, time and other test instructions. This e-mail will provide you with a unique ID and PASSWORD to access your test information and status on the LTI Test Candidate Website (www.languagetesting.com/individual). Please retain this important e-mail and website information for your records as you will use this website and secure password to verify the date and time of your OPI and check the status of your test result. You will also be able print your Official ACTFL OPI Certificate from the website. The proctor will be notified of the OPI date, time and other test instructions by e-mail.

Step 5. Confirm Appointment

Finalize the appointment arrangement with your proctor. All appointments are considered confirmed, unless we receive notification from the candidate or proctor.

Rescheduled or Missed OPI Appointments

In the event that an appointment needs to be rescheduled, contact the LTI Test Coordinator immediately (processing@languagetesting.com). There is no charge for appointments that are rescheduled prior to one day before the scheduled appointment.

For missed appointments or for appointments that a notice for rescheduling is not delivered to LTI with at least 24 hours advance notice, there is a $55 rescheduling fee. In the event you miss your scheduled test appointment, please contact processing@languagetesting.com to reschedule your appointment.

Cancelled Applications

For a test that is cancelled and not rescheduled, there is a $55 cancellation fee that will be deducted from your refund. To cancel an application and receive your refund or to check the status of your refund, please e-mail your request to processing@languagetesting.com.

NOTIFICATION OF OPI RESULTS

Once the rating of your test is completed, you will be able to view the test result and print an Official ACTFL Oral Proficiency Certificate on the LTI Test Candidate Website (www.languagetesting.com/individual) using your unique ID and password. The Alaska Department of Education will receive the candidate’s test results via an electronic report. Please include your ACTFL Proficiency Certificate(s) when submitting your credentials to the Alaska Department of Education. Each test becomes a record in the ACTFL Test Archive.

SCHEDULING AN ACTFL WPT

STEP 1. Complete a WPT Application Form for Prospective Alaska TeachersClick here for WPT Application

STEP 2. Establish a WPT Test Site and an Approved Proctor

You may request a WPT to be taken onsite at Anchorage School District (ASD), 5530 E Northern Lights Blvd., Anchorage, Alaska or at your own school if you have an appropriate, approved proctor as defined below.

Option 1. Anchorage School District (ASD):

This is an official test site to take ACTFL assessments. Tests are regularly scheduled at ASD on Monday-Thursday between 10 am and 2 pm. If you select to take the test at ASD you do NOT need to submit a Proctor Responsibilities and Agreement form with your application.

Option 2. At a K-12 School or University

A WPT, either online or in booklet form, must be administered/proctored by an approved Proctor* who:

Completes the WPT Proctor Responsibilities and Agreement form (for internet or booklet form),
Click here for WPT Internet Proctor Agreement / Click here for WPT Booklet Proctor Agreement
Follows the test proctor instructions for administration of the test,
Confirms the identity of the candidate by checking picture ID on the test date,
For internet WPTs, logs students in to the test and places the candidate at a quiet computer terminal with internet access. Internet testing is available in select languages. Other languages are available in booklet form,
Proctors the test for the entire 80 (internet) or 90 minute (booklet) duration of the test.

STEP 3. Submit Application Package

For your test request to be processed, you must submit ALL of the items below:

A completed WPT application including a check, money order, or credit card authorization,
The WPT Proctor Responsibilities and Agreement form signed by your proctor, if you are requesting a WPT to take place at your school,
A completed Test-Taker Agreement form.

Incomplete application packages will NOT be processed.

STEP 4. Wait for Notification by Email of a WPT Assignment

Once your application has been processed, you will be sent an e-mail that informs you that a WPT may be scheduled with your proctor. The same e-mail will provide a unique ID and PASSWORD for you to use on the LTI Test Candidate Website (www.languagetesting.com/individual) to be able to access your test status and results. Please retain this important e-mail and website information for your records as you will use this website and secure password to verify the date and time of your WPT and check the status of your test result. You will also be able print your Official ACTFL WPT Certificate from the website. Your WPT proctor will also receive an e-mail with instructions. You will then need to determine with your proctor the day and time (between 9 am and 2 pm EST for WPTs if you are testing at a K-12 school or college) for the proctor to administer the WPT. If you or your WPT proctor have any questions regarding the administration of the WPT, please write us at testing@languagetesting.com.

NOTIFICATION OF WPT TEST RESULTS

Once the rating of your test is completed, you will be able to view the test result and print an Official ACTFL Writing Proficiency Certificate on the LTI Test Candidate Website (www.languagetesting.com/individual) using your ID and password. The Alaska Department of Education will receive the candidate’s test results via an electronic report. Please include your ACTFL Proficiency Certificate(s) when submitting your credentials to the Alaska Department of Education. Each test becomes a record in the ACTFL Test Archive.

ACE COLLEGE CREDIT RECOMMENDATION FOR ACTFL ASSESSMENTS

The American Council on Education’s College Credit Recommendation Service (ACE CREDIT) has evaluated and recommended college credit for ACTFL OPI®, OPIc®, and WPT. The American Council on Education, the major coordinating body for all the nation's higher education institutions, seeks to provide leadership and a unifying voice on key higher education issues and to influence public policy through advocacy, research, and program initiatives. For more than 30 years, colleges and universities have trusted ACE CREDIT to provide reliable course equivalency information to facilitate their decisions to award academic credit. For more information, visit the ACE CREDIT website at: http://www.acenet.edu/acecredit.

PREPARING FOR AN OPI AND/OR WPT

To prepare for an OPI, practice speaking in the target language, making sure to tell stories (in as much detail as possible) about personal and professional experiences that have happened, are happening and will happen. To prepare for a WPT, write essays about personal and professional experiences that have happened, are happening and will happen, making sure to give background information as well as details of the experience.

TEST TAKING TIPS FOR AN OPI AND/OR WPT

When taking the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI), listen carefully to the questions asked by the interviewer before answering. When answering, give as detailed a response as possible. Saying little to avoid making mistakes will not improve your rating. If you do not know a specific term in the test language, describe it in the test language and do not resort to your native language or to making up words. If you do use an Anglicism or slang term do not be surprised if the interviewer asks you to describe what this word means. Demonstrating how well you can explain terms that you do not know in the test language is communication task looked for at the Intermediate High level and above.

When taking the Writing Proficiency Test (WPT), read the directions for each of the four prompts carefully. Make sure that your written response addresses the tasks and specifications outlined in the prompt. For example, if the prompt asks you to describe a specific work experience you have had, be sure to recount specific details and avoid vague, general descriptions. It is also very important that you adhere to the time allocated for each prompt. If a prompt asks you to give a brief description of a paragraph in length that should not take more than ten minutes to write, do not respond to this prompt by writing a five paragraph response and taking twenty-five minutes. If you do this, you will not have enough time to fully address later prompts.