{"id":3506,"date":"2024-04-22T09:00:19","date_gmt":"2024-04-22T09:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.languagetesting.com\/blog\/?p=3506"},"modified":"2026-01-28T21:40:30","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T21:40:30","slug":"fact-check-are-you-truly-assessing-proficiency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.languagetesting.com\/blog\/fact-check-are-you-truly-assessing-proficiency\/","title":{"rendered":"Are You Truly Assessing Proficiency? Revised ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines."},"content":{"rendered":"

ACTFL<\/a> has announced the release of the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines 2024<\/em><\/a>, representing a significant milestone in language assessment standards. Aligned with key language learning standards and resources, such as World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages<\/em><\/a>,\u00a0<\/em>the\u00a0ACTFL Performance Descriptors for Language Learners<\/em><\/a>,\u00a0<\/em>and the\u00a0NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do Statements<\/em><\/a>, <\/em>the Guidelines <\/em>enhance clarity and accessibility, empowering educators and learners alike.<\/p>\n

Read ACTFL\u2019s press release here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

FACT Check <\/strong><\/h3>\n

The ACTFL Guidelines \u201c<\/em>describe an individual\u2019s language skills in terms of proficiency<\/em>: <\/strong>the ability to use language to accomplish communication objectives . . . An individual\u2019s level of proficiency in each domain is defined by four criteria, represented by the acronym FACT<\/strong>\u201d (ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines 2024<\/em><\/a>, pg. 4<\/u><\/em>).<\/u><\/p>\n

F \u2013 Functions and Tasks:<\/strong> The different types of talking or writing someone can do, like sharing personal details, following instructions, or chatting with coworkers at a meeting.<\/p>\n

A \u2013 Accuracy:<\/strong> How well someone uses language, including things like grammar, vocabulary, and understanding cultural norms to communicate.<\/p>\n

C – Context and Content:<\/strong> The setting or circumstances in which someone can effectively communicate and the topics they can handle.<\/p>\n

T – Text Type:<\/strong> How much and how complex of language someone can understand or communicate, from short bits of text like words and phrases to paragraphs and extended dialogue.<\/p>\n

\u201cAn assessment of proficiency determines whether the individual provides evidence of all of the criteria<\/strong> for a particular level, even in unrehearsed communication on unfamiliar topics or within unfamiliar contexts. In order to receive a proficiency rating at a given level, an individual must demonstrate sustained ability to meet each of the FACT criteria<\/strong> for that level\u201d (ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines 2024<\/em><\/a>, pg. 5<\/u><\/em>).<\/u><\/p>\n

Read more: Understanding AAPPL Ratings<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Are You Testing for Proficiency?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"testingIf you are using a language assessment that does not score based on ALL<\/strong> of these criteria, you may not actually be measuring proficiency. Only ACTFL tests<\/a><\/strong> delivered by LTI result in a certified ACTFL rating and evaluate language ability on all of the FACT criteria. It\u2019s a simple FACT!<\/p>\n

Read more: Performance and Proficiency \u2013 Guiding Learners to Success with the AAPPL<\/a><\/p>\n

LTI, the exclusive licensee of ACTFL, is proud to share that all assessment materials and ACTFL proficiency certificates have been updated to reflect the revised guidelines. Contact<\/a> your account executive today to learn more about the Guidelines<\/em> and what role ACTFL assessments can play in your program.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

ACTFL has announced the release of the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines 2024, representing a significant milestone in language assessment standards. Aligned with key language learning standards and resources, such as World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages,\u00a0the\u00a0ACTFL Performance Descriptors for Language Learners,\u00a0and the\u00a0NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do Statements, the Guidelines enhance clarity and accessibility, empowering educators and learners alike. Read ACTFL\u2019s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":3507,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[183],"tags":[80,302,299,42],"class_list":["post-3506","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academic","tag-aappl","tag-actfl-language-proficiency-assessments","tag-actfl-proficiency-guidelines","tag-determining-proficiency"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.languagetesting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Johanna-Lopez-blogs.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.languagetesting.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3506","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.languagetesting.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.languagetesting.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.languagetesting.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.languagetesting.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3506"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.languagetesting.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3506\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5332,"href":"https:\/\/www.languagetesting.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3506\/revisions\/5332"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.languagetesting.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3507"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.languagetesting.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3506"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.languagetesting.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3506"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.languagetesting.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3506"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}