Please Note: All relevant applications, forms and information are available through the links within this document. Please read carefully.

THE ACTFL ORAL PROFICIENCY INTERVIEW

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 an examinee;
• a criterion referenced test that compares an individual’s performance of specific oral communication tasks with the criteria of each of ten proficiency levels 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 interviewer and the person whose speaking proficiency is being assessed.  The interview is interactive and continuously adapts to the speaking ability of the individual being tested.  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.

Through a series of personalized questions, the interviewer elicits from the test candidate examples of his or her ability to handle the communication tasks specified for each level of proficiency in order to establish a clear “floor” and “ceiling” of consistent functional ability.  Often candidates are asked to take part in a role-play to prove linguistic functions not easily elicited through the 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 lasts from ten to 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 tester.  Under the supervision of the ACTFL Testing Office, Language Testing International, a final rating is assigned and an ACTFL OPI Certificate is issued.

THE ACTFL WRITING PROFICIENCY TEST

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 examinee 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 described in the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines-Writing revised by ACTFL in 2001.

The ACTFL WPT takes the form of a carefully constructed assessment with four requests for written responses dealing with practical, social, and professional topics that are 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. The prompts ask for written constructed responses of paragraph length or longer, demonstrating narrative writing, informative writing 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 examinee is given 90 minutes to read the directions and complete the test.  A completed WPT is reviewed by an ACTFL certified testers to assign the ACTFL proficiency rating that best describes the proficiency demonstrated by the individual.  The test is then forwarded to another ACTFL certified tester for a second independent (“blind”) rating for final rating confirmation.

THE ACTFL CERTIFIED TESTERS

ACTFL OPIs are conducted and rated by ACTFL certified proficiency testers. ACTFL WPTs are also rated by ACTFL certified raters.  These testers and raters are highly specialized language professionals who have completed a rigorous training process that concludes with a tester’s demonstrated ability to consistently elicit ratable samples and to rate samples with a high degree of reliability. ACTFL strictly monitors all testing and rating.

PASSING PROFICIENCY RATINGS

The School District of Tulsa, Oklahoma has set a requirement of Advanced Low for Oral and Intermediate High for Writing as the passing proficiency ratings. (See http://languagetesting.com/scale.htm for ACTFL Speaking Proficiency Guidelines and http://languagetesting.com/scale_writing.htm for ACTFL Writing Proficiency Guidelines.)

FEES FOR LTI SERVICES                                               

Individual Certified ACTFL OPI	$134.00
Individual Certified ACTFL WPT	$65.00
Rescheduling Fee	$55.00
Missed OPI appointment/No Show	$55.00
Express Processing Service	$50.00 (final rating will be posted within two weeks)

Payment may be made by credit card authorization (MasterCard, Visa or Discover Card), money order, or personal check.  Payment must accompany application form(s).

SCHEDULING AN ACTFL OPI

Applications, Forms and Information

Step 1.  Complete an OPI Application Click here for OPI Application

Step 2. Telephonic OPI Test Site and Proctor
All Proctoring arrangements should be made through Sharon Izett, Human Resources Specialist at Tulsa School District, (918) 746-6350, izettsh@tulsaschools.org.

Step 3. Submit Application Package
For your test request to be processed, you must submit ALL the below:

1. A completed OPI application; including a check, money order, or credit card authorization
2. A completed Test-Taker Agreement

  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 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 keep this important e-mail and website information. Using this website and secure password, you will be able to verify the date and time of your OPI and, after the test, check the status of your test result.  On this website, you will be able to print your ACTFL OPI Proficiency Certificate.

The Proctor also will also be notified of the OPI date, time and other test instructions by e-mail.

Step 5. Confirm Appointment

Finalize appointment arrangement with 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 (800-486-8444 extension 115).  There is no charge for appointments that are rescheduled prior to one business day before the scheduled appointment.
• For appointments that are cancelled or rescheduled within 24 hours of the test, there is a $55.00 rescheduling/cancellation fee. 
• For missed appointments there is a $55.00 fee.

Cancelled Application

There is a fee of $55.00 for cancelled applications which will be deducted from your refund should you cancel an application.

NOTIFICATION OF OPI RESULTS

Once the rating of your test is completed, you will be able to view the test result and print your ACTFL Oral Proficiency Certificate on the LTI Individual Information Center site (www.languagetesting.com/individual) using  your unique ID and password. The Tulsa School District will receive the test results via an electronic report. Please include a copy of your ACTFL Proficiency Certificates when submitting your credentials to the Tulsa School District.  Each test becomes a permanent record in the ACTFL Test Archive. 

SCHEDULING AN ACTFL WPT

Applications, Forms and Information

Step 1.  Complete a WPT Application Click here for WPT Application Form

Step 2. WPT Test Site and Proctor
All Proctoring arrangements should be made through Sharon Izett, Human Resources Specialist, at Tulsa School District, (918) 746-6350, izettsh@tulsaschools.org.

Step 3.  Submit Application Package
For your test request to be processed, you must submit ALL the items below:

• A completed WPT application; including a check, money order, or credit card authorization
• A completed Test-Taker Agreement

Incomplete application packages will NOT be scheduled.

Step 4. Wait for notification of a WPT assignment
Once your application has been processed, you will be sent an e-mail with information to schedule your WPT. 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.

NOTIFICATION WPT TEST RESULTS

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

PREPARING FOR AN OPI AND WPT

To prepare, make opportunities to speak 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. Do the same thing in writing by writing 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 WPT

When taking the oral proficiency interview, 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 target language, describe it and try not resort to another language or making up words. (If you do use a foreign word or slang term, do not be surprised if the interviewer asks you to describe what that word means in the target language.) 

When taking the writing test, 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 describe a specific work experience you have had, be sure to recount the details of a specific work experience and not just give a general description of your work experience.  It is also very important that you follow the time allocation specified 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 that prompt by writing five paragraphs and taking twenty-five minutes.  If you do this, you will not have enough time to address later prompts fully.

LTI: The ACTFL Testing Office
Tel: 914-963-7110 ext. 310
Fax: 914-963-7113
info@languagetesting.com
www.languagetesting.com