Remotely Proctored Speaking Test

A remotely proctored speaking test allows individuals to demonstrate their ability to speak a language and earn a language certification. Test takers can take a remotely proctored assessment over the phone or online in the comfort of their homes and on their own schedules. Government agencies, academic institutions, organizations, and individuals use language assessments to test language skills for various purposes. A language assessment can help an individual meet graduation requirements, obtain placement in advanced classes, find more job opportunities, and work for the federal government. Language Testing International® (LTI) administers remotely proctored speaking tests designed by ACTFL to deliver accurate results.

What Is a Remotely Proctored Speaking Test?

A remotely proctored speaking test is a phone or internet-delivered language proficiency assessment that evaluates an individual's ability to speak a target language effectively regardless of how it was acquired. ACTFL's Oral Proficiency Interview - Computer (OPIc) is a remotely proctored speaking test that individuals can take online or over the phone.

Why Take a Remotely Proctored Speaking Test?

A remotely proctored speaking test can increase various opportunities for individuals. Students can take a language assessment to earn placement in advanced language courses that match their skill levels. Language certifications can also help students meet graduation requirements, find opportunities to study abroad, and complete internships in other countries. Further, individuals can add language certifications to their resumes to help increase job opportunities. Organizations and government agencies use language speaking assessments to evaluate candidates and current employees. A remotely proctored speaking test can help employers determine if a person has the necessary language speaking skills to fulfill their job duties.

Benefits of Taking a Remotely Proctored Speaking Test

A remotely proctored speaking test is cost-effective and easy for test-takers to schedule whenever it suits their needs. The entire testing process is simple and convenient because individuals can order, schedule, and take the test independently and entirely online. Another benefit of this test is that it is available in numerous languages, and each language assessment offers quick and reliable results.

How ACTFL Remotely Proctored Speaking Tests Work

ACTFL's OPIc assessment tests a candidate's ability to speak a language effectively. When an individual takes this test online, an avatar — known as Ava — interviews the test taker by delivering customized prompts for them to answer. The test takes approximately 20-40 minutes, and the online testing platform records the interview. An ACTFL-trained and -certified rater uses the recorded interview to evaluate the test taker's responses and assign a score based on the ACTFL, the Inter-Agency Language Roundtable (ILR), or the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) scale.

Self-Assessment and Background Survey

In many cases, test takers complete a self-assessment and a background survey before beginning the OPIc. Individuals also receive a test overview, an explanation of testing procedures, and a sample question prior to the test to help them prepare. The OPIc assessment's background survey collects information about the individual's home, school, work, interests, and personal activities. This survey determines which topics the test taker is familiar with, and the test randomly selects questions based on these topics.

During the Test

During an OPIc assessment, Ava (the online avatar that delivers the OPIc) simulates a one-on-one conversation by asking questions in the target language. Then, the test taker responds to the questions in the target language. Ava begins each assessment with a warmup question and asks the test taker to mention something about themselves. The warmup question allows the speaker to begin using the language before beginning the test questions.

Results

After the test taker completes their interview, an ACTFL-certified rater assigns them a proficiency level score. When a certified rater assesses a test taker's OPIc responses against the ACTFL proficiency scale, they place the individual at one of five major proficiency levels and one of three corresponding sublevels. The major proficiency levels include Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, Superior, and Distinguished, and the sublevels subdivide each of the Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced major levels into Low, Mid, and High proficiency. Certified raters can also assess OPIc test takers' proficiency against the ILR scale. The U.S. federal government developed the IRL scale and uses it to measure language abilities on six levels ranging from zero to five, with plus levels that indicate when an individual's proficiency places them between the numeric levels. The ILR scale levels correlate to descriptors that include No Proficiency or Memorized Proficiency, Elementary Proficiency, Limited Working Proficiency, Professional Working Proficiency, Full Professional Proficiency, and Native or Bilingual Fluency. The U.S. Department of State also uses this scale to evaluate individuals. Another scale raters can use to provide test results and evaluate proficiency levels is the CERF scale. The CEFR scale is a framework that determines proficiency based on six reference levels, including A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2. An A rating indicates a language user uses the language at a Basic level. A B rating indicates an Independent level, and a C rating indicates a Proficient level. This scale is commonly used in Europe.

Who Has Used ACTFL Remotely Proctored Speaking Tests?

ACTFL's OPIc administered by LTI was originally designed so organizations could assess their prospective or current employees' oral proficiency in one or more languages. However, the test is also available to people who want to certify their language abilities independently and for their own purposes. Academic institutions also use this test to assess students, and various organizations use it to evaluate current and potential employees.

What Are Users Saying About ACTFL Tests?

Individuals who take ACTFL language proficiency tests administered by LTI report excellent ease of use, reasonable costs, and convenience — 98% of test takers say they would recommend the remotely proctored speaking assessment because they love the test experience. For many test takers, the tests administered by LTI are more affordable than taking a college course for language requirements; ACTFL assessments are accepted for college credit at certain institutions through the American Council on Education's credit recommendations. Additionally, individuals can take at home on their own schedules.

Get Tested With ACTFL's Remotely Proctored Speaking Test Today

ACTFL's remotely proctored speaking test assesses language skills and provides accurate results. Whether individuals need language certification for employment, personal, or academic purposes, the OPIc assessment allows people to demonstrate their skills for review by a certified rater and prove their proficiencies in a target language. Language Testing International administers ACTFL language proficiency assessments in over 120 languages. We are the exclusive licensee of ACTFL and have been a leader in language proficiency testing since 1992. Schedule a test today.