Please Note: applications, forms, and information are available through the links below.

The Texas Education Agency has determined that the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) may be used to meet teacher certification requirements for Languages Other Than English (LOTE): Russian EC-12, Japanese EC-12, Arabic EC-12, Vietnamese EC-12, and Chinese EC-12. Educators who hold a valid certificate are required to take both the WPT and the OPI. Other candidates must be in an approved Educator Preparation Program. Candidates in Educator Preparation Programs must be approved to take the examinations prior to registering for the ACTFL examinations. Candidates are also required to take the TExES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities examination to qualify for a LOTE certification.

THE ACTFL ORAL PROFICIENCY INTERVIEW

The ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (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 oral communication performance with the ten proficiency levels described in the ACTFL Proficiency-Guidelines-Speaking (Revised 1999)

The ACTFL OPI is a carefully structured conversation between a trained and certified interviewer and the examinee. The interview is interactive and adapts to the speaking proficiency 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 examinee.

Through a series of questions, the interviewer elicits from the examinee examples of his or her ability to handle the communication tasks for each level of proficiency. This will establish a clear "floor" and "ceiling" of functional ability. Often examinees are asked to take part in a role-play to demonstrate linguistic functions. ACTFL OPI is an assessment of functional speaking proficiency and is independent of any specific curriculum, therefore it is irrelevant when, where, why and under what conditions the examinee acquired his/her speaking ability in the target language.

The OPI interview may last from ten to thirty minutes. Each interview is tape recorded and assigned an initial rating by the interviewer. A second independent ("blind") rating is conducted by another certified tester. Under the supervision of the ACTFL Testing Office, Language Testing International, a final rating is assigned and an ACTFL OPI score is issued.

THE ACTFL WRITING PROFICIENCY TEST

The ACTFL Writing Proficiency Test (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 is a carefully constructed assessment with four requests for written responses dealing with practical, social and professional topics within informal and formal contexts. The examinee is presented with tasks and contexts that represent the range of proficiency levels from Novice to Superior on the ACTFL WPT scale. The tasks and prompts are presented in English with the requirement that responses be written in the target language. The prompts ask for written constructed responses of paragraph length or longer. Examinees will demonstrate narrative writing, informative writing and persuasive writing.

The ACTFL WPT is an assessment of functional writing proficiency and is independent of any specific curriculum, therefore it is irrelevant when, where, why and under what circumstances the examinee acquired his/her writing ability in the target language.

The examinee is given 90 minutes to read the directions and complete the test. Scoring of the examination is done by ACTFL certified testers. A tester will assign the ACTFL exam a 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 and WPTs are conducted and rated by ACTFL certified proficiency testers. The testers and raters are highly specialized language professionals who have completed a rigorous training process that validates a tester's ability to consistently elicit ratable samples with a high degree of reliability. ACTFL strictly monitors all testing and rating.

PASSING PROFICIENCY RATINGS

The Texas Education Agency has set a passing proficiency rating for the OPI and the WPT for Vietnamese, Russian, Japanese, Chinese and Arabic. (See http://languagetesting.com/scale.htm for ACTFL Speaking Proficiency Guidelines and http://languagetesting.com/scale_writing.htm for ACTFL Writing Proficiency Guidelines.)

*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 Application Form: Click here for OPI Application

Step 2. Telephonic OPI Test Site and Proctor

Option 1. Region 10 Education Service Center

You may request an OPI to be taken telephonically onsite at Region 10 only if you are currently enrolled in the Region 10 Teacher Preparation and Certification Program.

Region 10 will be available for testing from 9am - 1pm, Monday through Thursday, and will not be available on non-working holidays or breaks.

There will be an additional proctoring fee of $15 per test that must be paid directly to Region 10 Education Service Center at the time of the test.

Option 2. Your School or University

An OPI must be administered and proctored by an approved Proctor who:

• Completes and signs a Proctor agreement form.
• Places the call to the OPI Tester.
• Introduces the test candidate to the OPI Tester.
• Confirms the name and identity of the examinee.
• Is free to leave after introduction.
• Completes and signs a Proctor agreement form:
  

  Click here for OPI Proctor Agreements (required)

K12 Schools and School District Proctors:
A proctor at a public school or district may only be district office personnel and campus personnel consisting of 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 or university may be a Professor, Department Chair, HR Administrative Assistant or Teacher Education Coordinator.

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 the following:

1. A completed OPI application; including a check, money order, or credit card authorization
2. The OPI Proctor Form signed by your proctor, if you are requesting an OPI to take place at your school
3. 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 a confirmed test date, time and other instructions. This e-mail will include a unique ID and PASSWORD. The unique ID and PASSWORD will allow you to access your test information and score on your LTI Test(s). The examinee Website is www.languagetesting.com/individual. Please keep this important e-mail and website information. Using this website and secure passwords, 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 print your final rating certificate.

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

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 at 1-800-486-8444 extension 115. There is no charge for appointments that are rescheduled prior to one day before the scheduled appointment. For appointments that are cancelled or rescheduled within 24 hours of the test, there is a $25.00 rescheduling/cancellation fee. For missed appointments there is a $55.00 fee.

NOTIFICATION OF OPI RESULTS

Once your test has been rated, you will be able to view the test result and print your ACTFL Oral Proficiency Certificate on the LTI Individual Information Center website (www.languagetesting.com/individual) using the ID and password that was provided in your confirmation e-mail, as described in Step 4. All scores will be sent to the Texas Education Agency and placed in your State Board of Educator Certification educator profile. Each test becomes a permanent record in the ACTFL Test Archive.

ACE College Credit Recommendation for ACTFL OPI Ratings

The American Council on Education (ACE) College Credit Recommendation Service has established college credit recommendations for Official ACTFL OPI ratings. For more information on ACE credit recommendations, visit the ACE website at www.acenet.edu/calec/corporate.

SCHEDULING AN ACTFL WPT

APPLICATIONS, FORMS and INFORMATION

STEP 1. Complete an WPT Application Form: Click here for WPT Application

STEP 2. WPT Test Site and Proctor

Option 1. Region 10 Education Service Center

You may request a WPT to be taken onsite at Region 10 only if you are currently enrolled in the Region 10 Teacher Preparation and Certification Program.

Region 10 will be available for testing from 9am - 1pm, Monday through Thursday, and will not be available on non-working holidays or breaks.

There will be an additional proctoring fee of $15 per test that must be paid directly to Region 10 Education Service Center at the time of the test.

Option 2. Your School or University

A WPT must be administered and proctored by an approved Proctor who:

• Completes a Proctor Form.
• Follows test proctor instructions for Booklet administration of the test.
• Confirms the identity of the candidate by checking picture ID on the test date.
• Places the candidate at a quiet desk or Proctor the test for the 90-minute duration of the test.
• Completes Proctor Form:
  

  Click here for WPT Proctor Agreements (required)

K12 Schools and School District Proctors:
A proctor at a K12 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 Teacher Education Coordinator. No other administrators or staff may act as proctors.

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.
• The Booklet WPT Proctor form signed by your proctor.
• A completed Test-Taker Agreement.

  Incomplete application packages will NOT be processed for scheduling.

STEP 4. Wait for notification a WPT assignment

NOTIFICATION WPT TEST RESULTS

Once the rating of your test is completed, you will be able to view the test results and print your ACTFL WPT Certificate by accessing the LTI Individual Information Center site at www.languagetesting.com/individual. You must login using the same unique ID and password that you used to access your WPT. All scores will be sent to the Texas Education Agency and placed in your State Board of Educator Certification educator profile. Each test becomes a permanent record in the ACTFL Test Archive.

PREPARING FOR AN OPI AND WPT

To prepare, create opportunities to practice speaking in the target language. Be sure to tell stories (in as much detail as possible) about personal and professional experiences that have happened in the past, are currently happening and could happen in the future. For the writing proficiency examination, practice writing essays about personal and professional experiences. Provide as much background as possible information as well as details about the experience.

TEST TAKING TIPS FOR AN OPI AND WPT

During 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. Not expanding on your responses because of the fear of making a mistake will not improve your rating. If you do not know a specific term in the test language, describe it in the test language and try not resort to your native language or making up words (if you do this, do not be surprised if the interviewer asks you to describe what that word means). Demonstrating how well you can explain terms in the test language is communication task that is looked for at and above the Intermediate High level.)

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 describe a specific work experience, be sure to recount the details of a specific work experience rather than 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 in a single paragraph, do not respond by writing five paragraphs and taking twenty-five minutes. If you do this, you will not have enough time to address the remainder of the examination.

LTI: The ACTFL Testing Office
Tel: 914-963-7110 ext. 10
Fax: 914-963-7113
testing@languagetesting.com
www.languagetesting.com