ACTFL
ORAL PROFICIENCY CERTIFICATION EXAM REGISTRATION & INSTRUCTIONS
All
SHP majors must take this exam to graduate and
to receive an OPI certified score. Your score does NOT determine if you
graduate, but the exam must be completed in order to earn the degree.
The ACTFL
OPI must be completed in your second-to-last semester to insure
processing for
graduation. For example, if you wish to graduate in May of 2014, you
need to
have your score in hand to the Spanish for Health Professions advisor
by
December 31st, the last day of the preceding
fall semester. Please
allow 6-8 weeks to complete the process, so the earlier in the semester
you
schedule, the better.
ACTFL
OPI INFORMATION: www.actfl.org/professional-development/certified-proficiency-testing-program/testing-proficiency
What
is the ACTFL OPI?
The
ACTFL Oral Proficiency
Interview, or ACTFL OPI as it is often called, is a
standardized procedure
for the global assessment of functional speaking ability. The
ACTFL OPI takes the form of a carefully structured conversation between
a
trained and certified interviewer and the person whose speaking
proficiency is
being assessed. It
is a telephonic interview between a certified ACTFL tester and an
examinee that
determines how well a person speaks a language by comparing his or her
performance
of specific communication tasks with the criteria for each of ten
proficiency
levels described in the ACTFL
Proficiency Guidelines 2012 – Speaking.
- See more at: http://www.actfl.org/professional-development/certified-proficiency-testing-program/testing-proficiency#sthash.Y1AJ1s5h.dpuf.
The
interview is
interactive and continuously adapts to the speaking abilities
of the
individual being tested. The topics that are discussed during the
interview are
based on the interests and experiences of the test candidate. Through
a series of personalized
questions, the interviewer elicits from the test candidate examples of
his or
her ability to handle the communication tasks specified for each level
of
proficiency in order to establish a clear 'floor' and 'ceiling' of
consistent
functional ability. Often candidates are asked to take part in a
role-play.
This task provides the opportunity for linguistic functions not easily
elicited
through the conversational format. ACTFL OPIs are conducted and rated
by ACTFL
certified proficiency testers. Each interview is tape recorded and
rated by one
or more certified testers. Official ACTFL OPI ratings are assigned to
those
OPIs conducted under the supervision of the ACTFL Testing Office. Each
Official
OPI is blindly rated by a second certified tester. When a final rating
is
assigned, and ACTFL OPI Certificate is issued.
What
does the OPI do for me?
The
ACTFL OPI is currently used
worldwide by academic institutions, government agencies, and private
corporations for purposes such as: academic placement, student
assessment,
program evaluation, professional certification, hiring and promotional
qualification. The ACTFL OPI is recognized by the American Council on
Education
(ACE) for the awarding of college credit. The OPI insures that future
employers
or admission boards understand how well you speak. All students who
wish to
graduate from the Spanish for Health Professions program must take the
OPI and
provide a copy of the score to his/her SHP advisor.
For
majors in SHP, a minimum score of Intermediate High means that you do
not have
to take SPAN 3300 Advanced Conversation. Your advisor will
note in your
file that the department accepts the OPI score in lieu of this course. It does not give you a
grade, nor credits,
but does save you time by allowing you to go more quickly through the
required
program elements program.
HOW
AND WHEN DO I REGISTER?
Start
the process at least 6-8 weeks before you
need the score.
Ideally, if you wish to graduate in May, you should set up your OPI in
the
first weeks of the preceding semester (August or September). The exam
currently
costs $135.00 payable to LTI upon
registration by credit card.. ISU does not receive any part of the fee
and has
no control over LTI pricing. ISU Testing and Counseling requires a $20.00 fee to cover the cost of the
long-distance phone call, facilities, and staffing. Please bring cash,
check,
or money order when you check in on test day. If
you do not have an ISU parking pass, plan on parking at quite a
distance and walking to Graveley, or Purchase a one-day parking pass
from ISU
public Safety http://www.isu.edu/pubsafe/parking_menu.shtml (282-2625). Tickets are
$25.00.
ISU
Counseling and Testing in Pocatello http://www.isu.edu/ctc/
proctors
the exam. The
ACTFL OPI
Testing Program is administered by Language Testing International
(LTI). Follow
these steps:
1
Contact
Matt Harris (proctoredtest@isu.edu)
or call (208)
282-2130 at ISU Counseling and Testing Ask
what times are available to test. Get the
ISU proctor code.
Center.
You will need Matt Harris’ e-mail, proctor number, and your
credit card to
complete registration. The interview does not take two hours, but makes
scheduling easier. Your tester could be from any part of the United
States and
the 2 hour block of time accommodates different time zones.
7
Within
2-3 days of completing the
interview, you should receive an e-mail link to access your score.
Download your
certificate to your desk top. Send a copy to your advisor. Do NOT send
the
link. Only you have access to the link to your score.
Contact Information
| Dr. Cathleen Tarp Office: BA 340 Phone: 208-282-3329 Email: tarphele@isu.edu |
Dr. Anna Hiller Office: BA 339C Phone: 208-282-4070 Email: hillanna@isu.edu |
Department of Languages and Literatures Office: BA 338 Phone: 208-282-3630 Fax: 208-282-3098 Email: wardashl@isu.edu |