Skip to Main Content

ACTFL Proficiency Testing

Information about ACTFL Proficiency Testing

About the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI and OPIc)

The OPI is administered through Language Testing International, the exclusive licensee of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). The OPI is a testing method that measures how well you speak a language by comparing your performance with the criteria described in the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines - Speaking (Revised 2012). The OPI is a one-on-one telephone or face-to-face conversation with a real person conducted entirely in the target language. The OPIc is administered via a computer and secure internet connection.

What is the OPI and OPIc?

The OPI is a proficiency test administered through Language Testing International, the exclusive licensee of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). The OPI is a testing method that measures how well you speak a language by comparing your performance with the criteria described in the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines - Speaking (Revised 1999). The OPI is a one-on-one telephone or face-to-face conversation with a real person conducted entirely in the target language. The OPIc is administered via a computer and secure internet connection.  Both the OPI and OPIc must be taken at the ILRC at Miami University.

Achievement Assessments: measure content that has been practiced, rehearsed and/or memorized. Examples of achievement tests include: vocabulary matching questions, fill in the blank grammar questions, a memorized poem. Students can study for these types of tests.

Performance Assessments: involve applying learned information in a semi-spontaneous situation. Examples include: giving a practiced presentation to the class, interviewing your partner using grammar and vocabulary you have learned (e.g. greet someone, ask what someone likes), etc. Students can generally prepare for these types of tests because they know the basic context. Students can also rehearse for performance tests since their teacher typically gives the topics ahead of time.

Proficiency Assessments: measure students’ general ability to communicate using all that they know in the language, strategies to get their point across, culturally appropriate discourse, on a wide range of topics. This simulates speaking to a Native Speaker and being in a county where the language is spoken. Examples include talking about: the weather today, what you like to do, what you did last night for fun, a typical day at school, etc. Student cannot study for these tests because they involve spontaneous conversations about what the speakers want to talk about (e.g. current events).

When should I take the OPI or OPIc?

An optimum time to take an OPI is following an extended immersion experience in the target language.   For you, this will entail after you have studied abroad.  We recommend you complete the OPIc Demo before taking your test (see instructions below). Allow 6 weeks prior to the start of the class to process test and obtain scores. The testing company requires you wait 90 days between attempts.

How can I best prepare to take the OPI and OPIc?

You are encouraged to take responsibility for developing language proficiency by actively participating in your language classes and by engaging in personalized out-of-class opportunities such as speaking with conversation partners, interviewing native speakers, watching videos in the target language, subscribing and listening to target language podcasts, reading books for pleasure. During your study abroad experience, you need to practice the target language with the members of your host family and/or other native speakers. Ask your host family and/or program to introduce you to locals, sign up for extra-curricular activities in the community, volunteer, take classes designed for target language speakers, etc.. Practice speaking using paragraph length discourse and perform a variety of language functions to include: greetings, discussing interests and hobbies, narrating stories, comparing, giving and defending an opinion, responding to a hypothetical situation, responding to a phone message.

To prepare for the test, complete the OPIc Demo.  No username and password are needed, just click Start Demo.  Follow directions and be patient while software loads.  Complete the background information survey.  You should be asked one test question (e.g. what is the weather) and about seven interview questions based on your responses to the survey: http://opicdemo.actfltesting.org/.

ACTFL Proficiency Levels. Remember to familiarize yourself with the ACTFL Proficiency Levels at http://actflproficiencyguidelines2012.org/

How is the interview structured?

The OPI is structured so that you have a chance to provide the very best sample of real communicative language you can produce. The interview will also stretch your abilities, and push you to your limits in the language. The test consists of a 20-30 minute interview that assesses your functional speaking ability in the form of a structured conversation between a trained and certified interviewer and the person being assessed. The entire process, scheduling, test taking, and obtaining the results, takes several weeks to complete thus we ask you to plan accordingly and begin scheduling the assessment early. Remember that you are required to take, and submit your score before student teaching; you are a responsible professional and are expected to plan accordingly. Through a conversational format, you will be asked to talk about yourself, your interests, your daily routine, etc. The tester may use a variety of direct information questions, or ask for a description, ask you to narrate, or ask for your opinion on a familiar subject. During most of the interview, the tester will ask you questions about a variety of topics that are of interest to you. The tester may also ask you to take part in a role-play situation intended to find out how well you may be able to handle a real-life situation. If you do not know a specific term, try to describe or paraphrase what you want to say in the target language. Avoid using English, slang or making up words. If you do use English, slang or a made-up term, do not be surprised if the interviewer asks you to describe what that word means in the target language of the test.

For the OPIc, the test-taker will be given 17-25 prompts at various levels of difficulty. The OPIc contains varying time limits to answer each prompt: the more advanced prompts will provide more time to response.

What are the best strategies for success on the OPI and OPIc?

When taking the oral proficiency interview, listen carefully to the questions asked by the interviewer before answering. When answering, give as detailed a response as possible. Saying little to avoid making mistakes will not improve your rating. Your participation in the interview is very important in order to demonstrate your language proficiency at its best. Remember to relax and, fully engage in the conversation.

What are the key differences between the OPI and the OPIc?

The main differences between the OPI and OPIc are: method of administration, cost, and available rating. The OPI is administered via a telephonic interview with a rater while a computer administers the OPIc. The OPIc is available in two forms: to Advanced level and to Superior level. At this time, Miami only has the OPIc to Advanced Low level. If you want to demonstrate a higher level of proficiency than the Advanced-Low level, you must take the OPI. Visit Language Testing's FAQ site for the OPI and for the OPIc for more information.

 

Which languages are offered for the OPI and OPIc?

OPIc Languages

A Arabic
C Chinese (Mandarin)
E English
F French
G German
I Italian (Limitations apply)
J Japanese
K Korean
P Pastho • Persian-Farsi • Portuguese-European (Limitations Apply) • Portuguese-Brazilan
R Russian
S Spanish

OPI Languages

A Afrikaans • Akan-Twi • Albanian • Algerian • Amharic • Arabic • Armenian • Azerbaijani
B Baluchi • Bamana • Bengali • Bosnian • Bulgarian • Burmese
C Cambodian • Cantonese • Cebuano • Chavacano • Czech
D Danish • Dari • Dutch
E Egyptian • English • Ewe
F Finnish • French
G Ga • Georgian • German • Greek • Gujarati
H Haitian Creole • Hausa • Hebrew • Hindi • Hmong • Hungarian
I Igbo • Ilocano • Indonesian • Iraqi • Italian
J Japanese • Javanese • Jordanian
K Kashmiri • Kazakh • Kikongo • Kirundi • Korean • Krio • Kurdish
L Lao • Levantine • Libyan • Lingala
M Malay • Malayalam • Mandarin • Mandingo-Bambara • Marshallese
N Nepali • Norwegian
P Palestinian • Pashto • Persian Farsi • Polish • Portuguese • Punjabi
R Romanian • Russian
S Serbian-Croatian • Sindhi • Sinhalese • Slovak • Somali • Spanish • Sudanese • Swahili • Swedish • Syrian
T Tagalog • Taiwanese • Tajik • Tamil • Tausug • Telugu • Thai • Tigrinya • Tunisian • Turkish • Turkmen
U Uighur • Ukrainian • Urdu • Uzbek
V Vietnamese
W Wolof • Wu
Y Yemeni • Yoruba
Z Zulu

 

About the Written Proficiency Test (WPT or iWPT)

Note: Portions of the following information come from LTI’s Frequently Asked Questions web page.

The ACTFL Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) is a testing method that measures how well you write in a language by comparing your performance with the criteria described in the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines – Writing (Revised 2001). It’s delivered either in test booklet form or via the internet. The candidate responds to all prompts in the target language while prompts are always in English to avoid providing the candidate with relevant vocabulary to answer the prompt. 

Students currently enrolled in the Foreign Language Education program at Miami University are required to take OPI or OPIc and the WPT the semester prior to student teaching.  The State of Ohio requires you obtain a level of “Intermediate-High.” Miami University’s standards require that a minimum of 80% of test takers must achieve a minimum level of “Advanced-Low.”

 

How can I best prepare to take the WPT?

You are encouraged to take responsibility for developing language proficiency by actively participating in your language classes and by engaging in personalized out-of-class opportunities such as speaking with conversation partners, interviewing native speakers, watching videos in the target language, subscribing and listening to target language podcasts, reading books for pleasure. During your study abroad experience, you need to practice the target language with the members of your host family and/or other native speakers.  Ask your host family and/or program to introduce you to locals, sign up for extra-curricular activities in the community, volunteer, take classes designed for target language speakers, etc..   Practice speaking using paragraph length discourse and perform a variety of language functions to include: greetings, discussing interests and hobbies, narrating stories, comparing, giving and defending an opinion, responding to a hypothetical situation, responding to a phone message.

Which languages are offered for the WPT?

Computer-Based Tests (iWPT)

A Arabic
C Chinese (Cantonese) • Chinese (Mandarin)
D Danish
E English
F French
G German • Greek
H Hindi
I Italian
J Japanese
K Korean
N Norwegian
P Polish • Portuguese
R Russian
S Spanish
T Turkish
V Vietnamese

Pen & Paper Tests (WPT)

A Albanian • Arabic
C Chinese (Cantonese) • Chinese (Mandarin)
E English
F French
G German • Greek
H Haitian-Creole • Hebrew • Hindi
I Italian
J Japanese
K Korean
P Persian • Polish • Portuguese
R Russian
S Serbian-Croatian • Spanish
T Turkish
U Urdu
V Vietnamese

 

Is there a cost to take these tests?

Yes. There are various costs for the following tests and services including:

  • Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) Test Fee
  • Oral Proficiency Interview Computer to Superior (OPIc) Test Fee
  • Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) Test Fee
  • Internet Writing Proficiency Test (iWPT) Test Fee
  • Express Service (final rating will be posted within two weeks)
  • First request of ACE Credit Recommendation
  • Additional request for ACE Credit Recommendation
Note: All fees must be paid with your application by credit card. Miami University does not receive any fees for this testing service.

Information for Language Education Students

Foreign Language Education Language Proficiency Requirements (B.S. and M.A.T.)

Pre-requisite for EDT 445/545

Pre-requisite for EDT 419

Take OPI or OPIc

Retake the OPI or OPIc if needed

Take the WPT

If you obtain an AL or higher, congratulations! You have met the program requirements

If you obtain an IH on the OPI, petition to remain in EDT 445/545, include a detailed plan of how you will improve your proficiency.  You will need to re-take the OPI prior to Student Teaching (EDT 419)

If you obtain lower than an IH, it is highly recommend you seek assistance. You will be unable to obtain a license from the State of Ohio and consequently, unable to Student Teach.

 If you obtain an AL or higher, congratulations! You have met the program requirements

If you still obtained an IH on the OPI, petition to remain in EDT 419/519, include a detailed plan of how you will improve your proficiency.  You will need to re-take the OPI prior to graduation.

If you obtain lower than an IH, you will be unable to student teach. The State of Ohio requires a minimum score of IH on both the OPI and WPT in order to obtain a license.

If you obtain an IH or higher, congratulations! You have met the program requirements

If you obtained an IM on the WPT, petition to remain in EDT 419/519, include a detailed plan of how you will improve your proficiency.  You will need to re-take the WPT prior to graduation.

Note: Chinese Teacher Candidates, you will need an IH proficiency level.

Important:  If you do not obtain a minimum score of IH on both the OPI and WPT, you will not be eligible for a license; this is an Ohio Department of Education regulation.  Since you are not eligible for licensure, you will be unable to student teach.

What if I do not obtain the required score for the Foreign Language Education program?

Proficiency takes ample exposure to and practice and will require multiple, consistent, and long term actions. In addition to your semester long study abroad, you can engage in activities that help increase your proficiency. Sample supplementary steps you can take include, but are not limited to: summer study abroad, conversation courses, extra curricular conversation activities such as the French and Spanish table, Skype sessions with Native Speakers, etc.

If you do not achieve the required score on the OPI, you are strongly advised to request the OPI diagnostic comments of your test from LTI. These comments will outline your strengths and weakness and can be used as a plan to improve your proficiency. There is an addition fee for this service.

 

How will my scores be reported?

When you take the test at the ILRC at Miami, your scores will be automatically reported to the State of Ohio when you apply for license. 

Is there specific information available about preparing for the tests?

Yes, see the following pages for specific information about taking the OPI, OPIc, or WPT.

Steps for Registering for An ACTFL Proficiency Exam

Allow up to three weeks for the registration process and up to six weeks for the entire exam process! Once you are ready to sign up for the exam, follow these steps:

Before you do anything, you will need to remember that the time blocks you sign up for must fall within normal business hours of Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm. The ILRC Director, Mr. Daniel Meyers, serves as a university proctor in addition to his regular duties, and is not able to administer exams on Saturday or Sunday. 

Click on the link at the top of this page to begin your application process. Use the following instructions to guide you through registration.

If this is your first time taking an LTI test, please select the SIGN UP button in the New User block. Otherwise, log in with your email address and designated password from your previous LTI registration.

LTI Testing - Register for Test Graphic

If you are taking the test for a teaching license in the state of Ohio, make sure you select "YES."
If you are taking the test for waiver of the CAS-A Language requirement at Miami, make sure you select "NO."

LTI Testing - Teaching License Graphic

Make sure you select "OHIO" for your state and then "MIAMI UNIVERSITY OF OHIO" For your institution! If you select another institution, you college will not be able to find you in the database that the State of Ohio pulls for licensure.

LTI Testing - State and Institution Graphic

You will select your language next:

LTI Testing - Language Selection Graphic

Now you will select the types of exams that you will need. Your department strongly suggest that you register for the OPIc and iWPT tests.

  • OPI - An oral proficiency interview where you will personally talk to a native speaker of the language in which you will be tested.
  • OPIc - An oral proficiency interview which is done electronically via computer.
  • WPT - A written proficiency test where you physically write in a test booklet.
  • iWPT - A written proficiency test which is done electronically via computer
LTI Testing - Testing Type Selection

You will need to select a testing level. For most cases, you will want to select either Option 4 or Option 5. If you are testing up to the "Advance Low" level, we recommend selection Option 4. If you are testing to the "Superior" level, you must choose Option 5.

Select Advacement Level

You now need to designate a proctor for administering the exam. You may choose to have a remote web-proctored exam at an additional cost. You will need an internet connection and a web camera enabled on your computer if you wish to go this option. If you wish to be tested with a human, check the button for "MIAMI UNIVERSITY..." and the checkbox for "USE THE SAME PROCTOR FOR ALL TESTS."

LTI Testing- Proctor Selection

You will need to enter two time blocks into the form fields. Remember that these time blocks must fall within normal business hours of Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm. Make sure you also have the correct Time Zone incidated at the top of the screen!

Registration Time Info Graphic

Complete the rest of the form and submit your payment information to complete registration.

LTI Testing - Review and Pay Graphic

What Happens Next?

If you selected an OPI, LTI will find a tester and will e-mail both you and Mr. Meyers when the exact test date and time is scheduled. If you selected and OPIc or iWPT, the login information will be sent directly to your proctor. Your proctor will contact you to schedule an exact day and time to complete your tests.

On the day of the test, you will arrive at Mr. Meyers’ office (Irvin Hall 47) at least five minutes prior to your test.

If you are taking an OPI, you will be connected to your interviewer via telephone by the test proctor, a brief introduction will be given, and then your test will commence.If you are taking an OPIc or iWPT, your proctor will assist you in logging and and taking the exams. If you are taking a WPT, your proctor will seat you in a quiet area in which you will be writing your exam.

You may not have any items in your possession during the test. Any items must be put into a closed bag and placed away from you in the testing room. All personal electronics must be turned off.

Once the rating of your test is completed (usually within 1-2 weeks), your score will be sent to the Foreign Language Education program and the Ohio Department of Education. Each test becomes a permanent record in the ACTFL Test Archive.

If an appointment needs to be rescheduled:

Log into the LTI test site and bring up your scheduled test(s). Click the CANCEL button to cancel any of the tests that you cannot meet and contact Mr. Daniel Meyers to reschedule your testing times for a future date.

-OR-

Contact the LTI Test Coordinator immediately at (800) 486-8444.  There is no charge for appointments that are rescheduled prior to one business day before the scheduled appointment.

For appointments that are missed, canceled or rescheduled within 24 hours of the test, there is a rescheduling/cancellation fee. This fee will be deducted from your refund should you cancel an application.

Contact the ILRC

Irvin Hall South Entrance

Interactive Language Resource Center

Irvin Hall 60
400 East Spring Street
Oxford, OH 45056-3645
United States
(513) 529-4505
ilrc@MiamiOH.edu

 

Daniel E. Meyers, M.A., Director

Irvin Hall 47
(513) 529-2510
m
eyersde@MiamiOH.edu