ACTFL® CERTIFIED PROFICIENCY TESTING PROGRAM:
ORAL AND WRITING PROFICIENCY TESTING
FOR STATE OF MARYLAND PROSPECTIVE FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHERS

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 ORAL PROFICIENCY INTERVIEW – COMPUTER (OPIc)®

The Oral Proficiency Interview by computer (OPIc) is:

• The functions and global tasks the speaker is able to sustain,
• The accuracy or precision with which these tasks are accomplished and understood,
• The type of oral text or discourse the speaker is capable of producing.

In evaluating a speech sample, the following criteria are considered:

• An integrative test,
• A test that addresses a number of abilities simultaneously and looks at them from a global perspective rather than from the point of view of the presence or absence of any given linguistic feature,
• A test in which linguistic components are viewed from the wider perspective of their contribution to overall speaking performance.

The computer delivered assessment emulates the qualities of the OPI, but handles the delivery of the questions by a carefully designed computer program. The goal of the instrument is the same as the OPI: to obtain a ratable sample of speech which a rater can evaluate and compare to the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines in order to assign a rating. An ACTFL OPIc is assigned one of the following ratings: Superior, Advanced High, Advanced Mid, Advanced Low, Intermediate High, Intermediate Mid, Intermediate Low, Novice High, Novice Mid, or Novice Low.

Before beginning the OPIc, test takers complete a Background Survey and a Self Assessment. The Background Survey is a questionnaire which elicits information about the test taker’s work, school, home, personal activities and interests. The test taker completes the survey and their answers determine the pool of topics from which the computer will randomly select questions. The Self Assessment provides six different descriptions of how well a person can speak a language. Test takers select the description that they feel most accurately describes their language ability. They also receive a full overview and explanation of OPIc procedures including a sample test question. These instructions are delivered through Ava, an avatar figure that personifies the OPIc tester.

The OPIc approximately lasts from 20 to 40 minutes. The recording of the candidate’s responses is made available via the internet to Certified OPIc Raters and is evaluated by raters within a short period of time; the final rating is stated in the Official ACTFL OPIc Certificate that is issued to the candidate.

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 State of Maryland has set a requirement of Intermediate-High or higher as the passing proficiency rating in speaking and writing. (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 80+ LANGUAGES

ACTFL provides oral proficiency testing in 80+ 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

For tests that are proctored at Learning to Succeed/Proctor Station, there is an additional test proctor fee of $120 to be paid directly to Learning to Succeed/Proctor Station to reserve a date/time for the test(s).

Payment to LTI may be made by credit card (Master Card, Visa, or Discover) money order, or personal check.(Learning to Succeed/Proctor Station also accepts American Express).  Payment must accompany application forms.

SCHEDULING AN ACTFL OPI, OPIc, WPT

Step 1. Step 1. Complete Application Form(s) for Prospective Maryland Teachers Click here for OPI Application; Click here for OPIc Application; Click here for WPT Application

Step 2. Establish a Test Site and an Approved Proctor

You may request an OPI and/or WPT to be taken at your own school/university, if you have an appropriate, approved proctor as identified below, or at an Official Proctor Testing Site (Options 2-6). For testing at your own school, please have your proposed proctor complete the appropriate proctor agreement form(s). No application will be processed without the completed Proctor Form(s).

Please note, the OPIc is only available at Official Proctor Sites. The OPI and WPT can also be taken at an Official Proctor Site. Proctor Forms are not required from Official Proctor Sites.

PROCTORING OPTIONS

Click here for OPI Proctor Agreement; Click here for WPT Internet Proctor Agreement / Click here for WPT Booklet Proctor Agreement

Option 1. At a K-12 School or University (Proctor Agreement Form Required)
*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.

Option 2. Official Proctor Site: Frostburg State University (no Proctor Agreement Form Required)

Frostburg proctors ACTFL OPIs, OPIcs and WPTs on one day every three months (September, December, March and June), the first Friday of the month, in the FSU Language Lab located at the Fine Arts Building, room 202, Frostburg, MD 21532. To schedule a test, candidates should contact Patty Graham, (301) 687-4797, pgraham@frostburg.edu.  Frostburg requires an additional test proctor fee to be paid directly to Frostburg on the date of the test. When you arrive at the location to take the OPI, if you are also taking a WPT you will be notified of the testing time. The OPIc and WPT test proctor fee will be $10 per test for Frostburg students, $35 for non Frostburg students. The OPI test proctor fee will be $10 for Frostburg students, $25 for non Frostburg students. CANDIDATE MUST BRING OWN HEADSET.

Option 3. Official Proctor Site: University of Maryland ( No Proctor Agreement Form Required)

University of Maryland will offer OPIc and/or WPT testing once per semester during exam week. Candidates should contact Janel Brennan-Tillmann, (301) 405-6927, brennanj@umd.edu to schedule their test(s). The test (s) will be administered in the Language Technology Lab located in Jiménez Hall, room 1205, College Park, MD  20742. Jiménez Hall is located directly behind the University Health Center. Directions can be found here: http://www.languages.umd.edu/about/location.php Test dates:  Friday afternoons 12:30-4pm on 2/24, 4/20, during the Spring semester and 5/14-16 during final exam week.  The OPIc and WPT test proctor fee will be $10 per test for UMD students. For non UMD students, the OPIc test proctor fee will be $25, and the WPT test proctor fee will be $35. For students taking the hand written WPT, there will be an additional $10 fee to cover mailing costs.

Option 4. Official Proctor Site: Sylvan Learning Center – Towson, MD (No Proctor Agreement Form Required)

Sylvan proctors ACTFL OPIs, OPIcs and WPTs Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Saturday 9:30 am – 1:30 pm; Sunday 11:30 am – 3:30 pm. Contact Kate Splain, Program Manager, at 410-337-2545, Towson.md-12102@sylvanlearning.com, fax: 410-825-7757 to schedule your test(s). The test(s) will be administered at Sylvan Towson, 8600 LaSalle Road #418, Towson, MD  21286. Sylvan requires an additional test proctor fee to be paid directly to Sylvan on the date of the test. The OPI, OPIc, or WPT test proctor fee will be $75 per test.

Step 3. Submit Application Package

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

• Completed application(s) including a check, money order, or credit card authorization
• Proctor Responsibilities and Agreement form(s) signed by your proctor, if you are requesting an OPI or WPT to take place at your school
• Completed Test-Taker Agreement form

             Incomplete application packages will NOT be processed.

Step 4. Wait for Notification by Email of Confirmed Test Appointment(s)

Once your application(s) has/have been processed, you will be sent an e-mail with your confirmed test date(s), time(s) and other test instructions. This e-mail will provide you with unique ID(s) and PASSWORD(s) 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(s) and time(s) of your OPI, OPIc and/or WPT and check the status of your test result(s). You will also be able print your Official ACTFL Certificate(s) from the website. The proctor will be notified of the OPI, OPIc and/or WPT date(s), time(s) and other test instructions by e-mail.

Step 5. Confirm Appointment(s)

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

Rescheduled or Missed OPI , OPIc and or/WPT 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

Please allow UP TO 4 WEEKS from the date of your test to receive your final rating(s).

Standards Board will receive the candidate’s test results via an electronic report. 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 , OPIc AND/OR WPT

To prepare for an OPI or OPIc, 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, OPIc AND/OR WPT

When taking the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) or Oral Proficiency Interview – Computer (OPIc), listen carefully to the questions asked 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 a 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.

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