Language Proficiency Exam Info:
For many years the Department of Modern Languages has assisted departments
that require their graduate students to demonstrate reading knowledge of
a foreign language by giving a translation
exam. Foreign language proficiency examinations are currently required
for graduate students in the following departments: English, Geography, History, Mathematics,
and Physics. Students should consult with
their graduate studies advisor with any questions about their department's
policy regarding the foreign language proficiency requirements. For questions
about the administration of the examinations please read the following guidelines and checklist, and contact the Department
of Modern Languages for further information.
ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines (1986) [from Omaggio Hadley, Alice, Teaching Language in Context, 2nd ed. (Boston: Heinle
& Heinle, 1993, Appendix A, 501-511.]
Reading: Intermediate-Mid.
"Able to read consistently with increased understanding simple connected
texts dealing with a variety of basic and social needs. Such texts are
still linguistically noncomplex and have a clear underlying internal structure.
They impart basic information about which the reader has to make minimal
suppositions and to which the reader brings personal interest and /or knowledge.
Examples may include short, straightforward descriptions of persons, places,
and things written for a wide audience."
Writing: Intermediate-Mid.
"Able to meet a number of practical
writing needs. Can write short, simple letters. Content involves personal
preferences, daily routine, everyday events, and other topics grounded
in personal experience. Can express present time or at least one other
time frame or aspect consistently, e.g., non-past, habitual, imperfect.
Evidence of control of the syntax of noncomplex sentences and basic inflectional
morphology, such as declensions and conjugation. Writing tends to be a
loose collection of sentences or sentence fragments on a given topic and
provides little evidence of conscious organization. Can be understood by
natives used to the writing of nonnatives.
Speaking: Intermediate-Mid.
"Able to handle successfully a variety
of uncomplicated, basic and communicative tasks and social situations.
Can talk simply about self and family members. Can ask and answer questions
and participate in simple conversations on topics beyond the most immediate
needs; e.g., personal history and leisure time activities. Utterance length
increases slightly, but speech may continue to be characterized by frequent
long pauses, since the smooth incorporation of even basic conversational
strategies is often hindered as the speaker struggles to create appropriate
language forms. Pronunciation may continue to be strongly influenced by
the first language and fluency may still be strained. Although misunderstandings
still arise, the Intermediate-Mid speaker can generally be understood by
sympathetic interlocutors."
Reading: Advanced-Plus.
"Able to follow essential points of written discourse at the Superior level
in areas of special interest or knowledge. Able to understand parts of
texts which are conceptually abstract and linguistically complex, and/or
texts which treat unfamiliar topics and situations, as well as some texts
which involve aspects of target-language culture. Able to comprehend the
facts to make appropriate inferences. An emerging awareness of the aesthetic
properties of language and of its literary styles permits comprehension
of a wider variety of texts, including literary. Misunderstandings may
occur."
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Contact the office of Modern Languages, 104 Eisenhower Hall, to find out who
your examiner will be.
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Choose a test date and select a book or text with your examiner.
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Students should give their book/text at least one week in advance to their examiner, so the examiner can select a passage.
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Students should go to the office of Modern Languages, 104 Eisenhower Hall, to pay the $40.00 fee, and to receive a receipt and a proficiency exam report.
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On the exam date, present your receipt and the proficiency exam report to the examiner.
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