Language Testing for Organizations

Language skills are more critical in today's globalized landscape than ever before. Whether you're a business, government agency, or academic institution, ACTFL® tests administered by Language Testing International® can determine your team's proficiency levels in many world languages and provide a valid and defensible language credential.

Since 1992, Language Testing International has provided language proficiency testing in over 120 languages in more than 60 countries. We've built a trusted reputation worldwide as the exclusive licensee of ACTFL — a leader in the development of proficiency-based language teaching and testing. ACTFL has a membership of over 12,500 language educators and administrators who collaborate to consistently improve the teaching and testing of world languages at all educational levels. LTI uses ACTFL-certified Testers and Raters to ensure the quality and validity of provided tests.

Test your team anywhere, anytime, to receive a certified assessment of their language skills that you can trust. When you can rely on your employees' proficiency, you can expand your organization across global borders, fostering strong communication with stakeholders worldwide. 

Language Proficiency Tests for Various Sectors and Goals

In line with growing globalization trends, LTI offers language proficiency tests for various organizations. The language testing process and goals differ depending on the industry and organization. We offer language testing for the following organizations:

Higher Education

LTI administers thousands of tests annually to meet diverse academic needs. Higher education institutions rely on us for entrance, placement, and graduation requirements, program evaluation, teacher credentialing, and other applications specific to academia. ACTFL language proficiency assessments are developed per ACTFL Proficiency guidelines and rated by language professionals who have passed the ACTFL tester certification.

K-12

The Assessment of Performance Toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL) addresses the World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages. It assesses three modes of communication:

• Interpersonal listening and speaking
• Interpretive reading and listening
• Presentational writing

AAPPL Forms A and B currently cover Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian, Japanese, Korean, and English. It provides an accurate measure of proficiency in K-12 students across all language skills using current communication media such as email, messages, and video chat.

Corporate

In today's global workplace, corporate organizations realize the benefits of a multilingual workforce. LTI provides corporate clients with reliable and valid testing. We deliver testing that covers business fundamentals — speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Our team collaborates with your human resources department to find the required level of proficiency for different positions and helps you qualify the ideal candidates.

Government Services

Since 1998, government agencies have relied on LTI for language proficiency testing. Alongside ACTFL, we advise members of the Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) — a group of federal agencies involved in language testing and training.

United States government agencies commonly accept ACTFL tests. They effectively measure proficiency in all four communication skills and are used in the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of State and the Defense Intelligence Agency.

Test Offerings

ACTFL language proficiency tests are available in various formats, each focusing on proficiency in different areas, including reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Depending on the certifications most suited to your organization, you can choose from a range of tests, including:

• Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and Oral Proficiency Interview — Computer (OPIc): These tests allow candidates to take a 15- to 30-minute telephone interview with an ACTFL Tester (OPI) or with a computer avatar (OPIc). Each test relates to the candidate's level, interest, and experience. These tests are standardized and follow a specific protocol.
• ACTFL Test of English Proficiency (TEP): The TEP tests four English skills — reading, writing, listening, and speaking. It's a valid and reliable measure of English proficiency suitable for university admissions, corporations, and government agencies. 
• ACTFL Proficiency Placement Test (APPT): This computer-adaptive, non-proctored test covers listening and reading in French and Spanish and is designed for college placement of incoming students. It measures candidates' language abilities in different modes, from Novice Low to Advanced Low, taking up to 60 minutes to complete. 
• Reading Proficiency Test (RPT): The RPT is an online test that requires candidates to read several passages and answer a series of multiple-choice questions related to the associated topics. Their answers are automatically graded, allowing test takers to receive results almost immediately. It takes between 50 and 125 minutes to complete.
• Writing Proficiency Test (WPT): This internet-delivered test consists of various prompts that reflect the candidate's unique background and interests. The prompts cover familiar and relevant practical, professional, and social topics, and candidates must write a response to each prompt. Certified ACTFL Raters assess these responses. The test takes between 20 and 80 minutes, depending on what proficiency range you choose to assess.
• Listening Proficiency Test (LPT): The LPT evaluates the candidate's ability to understand the spoken word. It's delivered online, and candidates listen to recordings on several topics and answer multiple-choice questions on each topic. The results are graded automatically, and candidates can expect to spend 50-125 minutes completing the assessment.
• Listening and Reading Computer Adaptive Test (L&Rcat): This online test in English requires candidates to assess several written and verbal passages and answer related multiple-choice questions. It's fully computer-adaptive, meaning it adjusts as it gauges the candidate's ability through their responses. Results are available almost immediately. It takes between 50 and 105 minutes to complete, depending on the candidate's ability.

The Benefits of Language Testing for Organizations

Formal language proficiency tests provide significant benefits for many types of organizations. Geography no longer dictates how businesses operate, and knowing your team has high proficiency levels in various world languages can change how your organization connects with people. It improves your stakeholder relationships, which boosts corporate customer retention. 

Language testing can also improve efficiency, as your team spends less time communicating and collaborating, freeing them up to focus on their core competencies. When everyone in your organization can communicate effectively, it leads to strong team relationships and better overall results. Teams can develop a more robust understanding of their strengths and growth areas, allowing them to request help where needed and grow their skills.

As demographics diversify, language testing can help government agencies and higher education institutions better serve their relevant communities. For example, it provides an impartial view of your team and allows you to admit students into programs that match their capabilities and interests. 

ACTFL tests administered by LTI eliminate bias and provide trustworthy assessments, giving you confidence that your team is proficient. Armed with defensible credentials, you can position your teams in areas that leverage their strengths while allowing them to work on their growth areas.

Let LTI Provide Language Testing Services You Can Trust

Language proficiency testing provides many organizations with a solid and reliable foundation in world languages, giving the confidence that you've assigned the right team for every task. They can help you make the most of each team member's unique language skills and connect with your clients, community, and students on their teams. 

As the exclusive licensee of ACTFL tests, LTI can assess your team and give you a clear idea of their language skills and strengths. Whether you need assessments to test potential candidates for your organization, state or federal government assessments, or academic services, our team of skilled professionals can help. Contact us to learn more about our language testing and certification processes today.