The Role of ACTFL Assessments in California Language Education

The Global California 2030 initiative presents a bold vision for the future of education, one that emphasizes the importance of multilingualism and cross-cultural understanding in a rapidly changing world.

Whether in a traditional world language classroom or a Dual Language Immersion program, assessments are critical tools for tracking learners’ proficiency growth, evaluating program effectiveness, and qualifying learners for the California Seal of Biliteracy. Therefore, it's essential to choose assessments that are reliable, externally validated, and aligned with standards to ensure accurate results. That's why the ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL) stands out as the obvious choice.

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Why AAPPL in California?

• Developed by ACTFL with world language experts.
• Provides AAPPL scores that align to ACTFL Proficiency Levels.
• The only test that assesses Interpersonal Listening and Speaking through its innovative video chat partner activity.
• The only assessment for Grades 3-12 that issues ACTFL ratings.
• Designed to elicit and assess language consistent with the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines.
• The only test that is COPPA-certified to ensure children's privacy online.

The AAPPL is available in the following languages: Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Unilingual AAPPL-Spanish.

California also recognizes the ALIRA, which is the ACTFL Latin Interpretive Reading Assessment, and the ACTFL OPI & WPT for the Seal of Biliteracy (often referred to as the SOBL bundle) which is available in these additional 24 languages: Albanian, Amharic, Bangla, Bosnian, Bulgarian, Cantonese, Croatian, Dari, Gujarati, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Hindi, Malayalam, Pashto, Polish, Swahili, Tagalog, Tamil, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, Vietnamese, and Yoruba.

Beyond these 36 languages, the official Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI), available in 120+ languages, and standard Writing Proficiency Test (WPT), available in 30+ languages, can be used to fulfill the NY test requirements for students over the age of 13 in the absence of other assessment options.

Start Testing with ACTFL Assessments

To get started ordering tests, simply set up an account (if you don’t already have one). Account activation typically takes 2-4 business days.

If you have questions or would like to discuss your testing options further, please use this link. Our California account executive will respond promptly to discuss your assessment needs.