Designed by national testing experts, the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Tests are carefully constructed assessments which determine functional language ability as described in the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines. Listening, reading, writing, and speaking abilities are evaluated on a scale from Novice to Superior (see picture on the right).
The Reading Proficiency Test and the Listening Proficiency Test are standardized, computer-delivered tests for the global assessment of reading and listening ability in a particular language. ACTFL writing tests are carefully constructed assessments with four to five requests for written responses dealing with practical, social, and/or professional topics that are encountered in informal and formal contexts. Finally, the oral proficiency is assessed through the OPIc, an internet delivered test that simulates a conversation.
ACTFL Tests through the Language Testing Program
The CLA Language Testing Program administers the ACTFL tests for the CLA Certificate of Advanced-Level Proficiency and the Proficiency Assessment for Curriculum Enhancement (PACE) Project.
Inverted pyramid showing proficiency levels from Distinguished (TOP) to Novice Low (Bottom).
Photo Courtesy of ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines 2012