An FAQ for Educators, Administrators, and Assessment Leaders about the Machine Scoring System for the AAPPL Spanish Presentational Writing and Interpersonal Listening and Speaking As AI becomes more visible in education, machine scoring is gaining attention in language assessment. But one fact is often overlooked: not all automated scoring systems are built with the same […]
Continue readingWhen Languages Open Doors: Celebrating Students Who Turn Multilingualism into Impact
Announcing the Recipients of the 2026 LTI Seal of Biliteracy Achievement Scholarship Each year, Language Testing International® (LTI) proudly recognizes outstanding Seal of Biliteracy recipients through the LTI Seal of Biliteracy Achievement Scholarship. The scholarship celebrates students who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to language learning and who use their multilingual skills to build connections, serve […]
Continue reading“Trust Us” Isn’t Enough: Why Third-Party COPPA Certification Matters
Schools Need More Than Privacy Claims from EdTech Providers As schools continue expanding their use of digital learning tools and online assessments, one question is becoming impossible to ignore: How do educators know which platforms truly protect student privacy? That question is especially important when younger learners are involved. Schools are increasingly expected to evaluate […]
Continue readingBridging Care and Communication: How a Language Micro-Credential Transforms Nursing Education
Note: This article was written based on a recorded interview with Dr. Lucia Osa-Melero, Associate Professor and Director of the Center for Hispanic Studies at Duquesne University. It was more than fifteen years ago when a simple question sparked what would become a transformative partnership at Duquesne University: Could nursing students take an elective in […]
Continue readingFrom Classroom to Career: Meeting Perkins V Outcomes with Language Proficiency and ACTFL Credentials
What is Perkins V? Perkins V (officially Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act) provides federal funding to states and local school districts to strengthen career and technical education (CTE). The legislation emphasizes raising both academic and technical outcomes for CTE students, improving alignment between secondary and postsecondary education, and increasing accountability. Through Perkins V, states and […]
Continue readingState-by-State Requirements for the Seal of Biliteracy
It is essential for school administrators and educators to provide learners with the best educational opportunities. Understanding your state’s unique guidelines and eligibility criteria ensures students take the right assessments to complete the requirements for the Seal of Biliteracy. For high school students who have achieved proficiency in English and at least one other language upon graduation, […]
Continue readingFrom Uncertainty to Confidence: Building Clearer Pathways in World Language Learning
Across secondary and postsecondary education, world language programs are grappling with a familiar challenge: helping students understand what they can actually do with the language they are learning, and why it matters. Student feedback across a range of standardized assessments has surfaced recurring themes. Learners have signaled uncertainty about expectations, uneven confidence in their skills, […]
Continue reading13 Language Proficiency and Assessments Myths Debunked
When it comes to language proficiency, misconceptions are everywhere. From how proficiency is defined and developed to how it’s assessed, common myths can lead to inaccurate assumptions, flawed decisions, and missed opportunities. In a crowded landscape of tests, tools, and claims, not all approaches to measuring and understanding proficiency are created equal. Let’s separate myth […]
Continue readingThe Human Side of the Gold Standard: An Interview with an AAPPL Rater
Among many things that make AAPPL the Gold Standard for measuring performance toward proficiency is how it’s scored: student spoken and written submissions are evaluated by ACTFL-certified raters using rigorous protocols, so educators can trust the results and use them with confidence. Below, an AAPPL rater shares what it’s like to earn certification, stay calibrated, and score with a “what students can do” mindset. Read more: Are You Truly Assessing […]
Continue readingLanguage Proficiency Assessments: Why Only the Gold Standard Counts
When it comes to measuring language proficiency, not all tests are created equally. Only ACTFL® assessments, delivered exclusively through Language Testing International® (LTI), produce ACTFL scores and certificates, credentials recognized globally by K-12 programs, universities, employers, and government agencies. Any ACTFL rating provided by a non-ACTFL assessment is not recognized by ACTFL. In other words, […]
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