Understanding Proficiency

Understanding Language Proficiency

Proficiency refers to the ability to perform an action or function. Language proficiency specifically describes one's ability to use a language for real-world purposes to accomplish real-world linguistic tasks across a wide range of topics and settings. Language users can certify their proficiency with an ACTFL proficiency test, which measures their ability to carry out these real-world tasks.

Language proficiency is an invaluable skill for individuals worldwide. With ACTFL assessments, you can test and demonstrate your speaking, writing, reading, and listening proficiency in a language in the interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational modes of communication. 

Differing from an achievement test, which measures knowledge of specific information (what a person knows), a proficiency test targets what an individual can do with what they know.

What Is Language Proficiency?

Language proficiency relates to a person's ability to produce and understand a particular language. Proficiency test scores reflect the level at which a person can communicate in the language that they test in.

Your proficiency level reflects how well you can read, write, and respond in a given language. Language learners, native speakers, and true bilinguals can all benefit from measuring their ability to communicate in a language in everyday applications. 

What Does It Mean to Be Proficient in a Language?

Highly proficient second-language users are accurate and adaptable in a range of conversational and professional applications. An ACTFL language proficiency rating is a demonstration of your current language abilities that you can share with current and future colleagues or employers. You can share your proficiency rating with prospective employers to prove that you possess the language skills they desire. Plus, you may retake proficiency tests in the future to exhibit improvements as you learn more and grow in your language skills.

Proficient world language users employ their language skills in flexible, practiced, and unrehearsed ways. Some may have grown up in a bilingual home or used the language since childhood while others may have learned in a traditional classroom setting or from studying or living abroad. A rating on the proficiency scale does not consider how many semesters or years someone has been learning a language, what textbooks or other materials they have used, or even a learner's knowledge of grammar — it is solely based on their demonstrated ability to use language to accomplish real-life tasks. 

How Does a Language Proficiency Test Work?

A language proficiency test assesses the language user's language skills. An ACTFL-certified Rater or Tester evaluates the test-taker's demonstrated writing or speaking skills through the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI), Oral Proficiency Interview-computer (OPIc), or Writing Proficiency Test (WPT). Listening and reading skills are assessed through the machine-scored Listening Proficiency Test (LPT) or Reading Proficiency Test (RPT). Tests are scored according to a proficiency scale such as the ACTFL, ILR, or CEFR scales. 

Your proficiency rating reflects your functional ability to communicate in a language. Certifying your proficiency in a language can lead to new opportunities in your field of work or study. Individuals who take certified ACTFL proficiency assessments in world languages receive a certificate reflecting their language skills that can help them find new opportunities.

What to Expect from ACTFL Proficiency Tests

Depending on the language skill being assessed and each client's needs, ACTFL proficiency tests can be administered in person, over the phone, or online. Each assessment focuses on one language proficiency skill, such as speaking, writing, listening, or reading. The assessments allow each test-taker to demonstrate their language abilities through prompts that target various topics, including entertainment and everyday life.

Test-takers receive a rating based on the ACTFL scale, which includes the Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and Superior major proficiency levels, which are further broken down into Low, Mid, and High sublevels (with the exception of Superior).

Take an ACTFL Proficiency Test Today

Language Testing International® is the exclusive licensee of ACTFL assessments, which are offered in over 120 languages in 60 countries. All human-rated tests are evaluated by ACTFL-certified Raters and Testers, who are qualified and experienced language professionals.

Validating your language proficiency with an ACTFL certification shows future employers or instructors your ability to use your skills in the real world. Your proficiency in a language can unlock new levels of professional and educational opportunities. Various corporations, educational institutions, and government agencies use the ACTFL Proficiency Scale when considering candidates for open positions that require language skills. 

To learn more about our services, discover our tests for individuals or organizations. If you have questions, please contact us today!

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