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ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI or OPIc) Admission Requirement
to the Master of Arts in World Languages – Spanish, French, and German
Applicants to the master program must complete an ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview and score a rating of Advanced Low or higher (See ACTFL guidelines). Applicants who receive a rating of Intermediate High may be considered for conditional admission and will be required to complete undergraduate courses and earn a grade of B or higher in those courses. Ratings lower than Intermediate High will not be considered for admission to the program.
The Oral Proficiency Interview is a standardized, global assessment of functional speaking ability, and it is administered by Language Testing. Candidates have the option of doing the interview over the phone (OPI) or the computer (OPIc).
The ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) is a 20-30 minute one-on-one interview between a certified ACTFL tester and an examinee. The interview is unscripted, interactive, and continuously adapts to the interests and abilities of the speaker. The evaluation is done by ACTFL raters. The OPI costs $139.
The ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview by Computer (OPIc) is an internet-delivered test that emulates the ‘live’ OPI, but the delivery of questions is through a carefully designed computer program and via a virtual avatar. Questions are pre-recorded and designed to identify the examinee’s specific proficiency level. It is a 30 - 45-minute virtual conversation conducted online. The OPIc costs $70.
SCHEDULING A TEST:
Step 1: Complete the online application.
When completing the application, when asked to Find your institution, check the box next to “I can’t find my institution, or I’m an independent candidate.”
Step 2: Choose a proctor.
You can choose to take the assessment from your home, using a web-based proctoring (all you need is a PC with a webcam and microphone), or take the test at an Approved Proctoring Site (a list will be provided during the application process.)
Web-Based Proctoring: The OPIc can be taken the same day you submit your application. The OPI, which is taken over the phone with a live tester, requires 10 days’ notice.
Proctoring Site: You will need to contact the desired proctoring facility and identify 2 different dates at least 10 days out from the day you submit the test application. These dates will need to be listed on the test application as you are filling it out.
Step 3: Test Scheduled Notification.
Once your application has been processed, you will receive a confirmation and other test instructions. For OPIs, the test candidate and proctor will receive an email confirmation advising the date/time for which the test has been scheduled. For OPIcs, the test will be available as soon as the proctor has received test codes to administer the computer-based testing. You will also be able to check on the status of your application, view scheduled tests, and print your official certificates from this site.
EMU is an approved test site. If you would like to take the test at EMU, before completing the application, contact the graduate adviser for the language of your concentration for further instructions.
Step 4: Have an official copy of your certificate sent to:
Office of Admissions, Eastern Michigan University, 401 Pierce Hall, PO Box 970, Ypsilanti, MI 48197-7621
NOTIFICATION OF TEST RESULTS: Test Ratings are provided within 2-4 weeks of the test administration date. Once the rating of your test is completed, you will receive an e-mail notification that your results are available through your account on the Individual Site. Through this site, you will be able to view the test result and print your certificate.
PREPARING FOR A TEST: To prepare for an OPI/OPIc, practice speaking in the target language, making sure to tell stories (in as much detail as possible) about personal and professional experiences that have happened are happening and will happen.
TEST-TAKING TIPS: When taking the OPI/OPIc, listen carefully to the questions asked by the interviewer before answering. When answering, give as detailed of a response as possible. Saying little to avoid making mistakes will not improve your rating. If you do not know a specific term in the test language, describe it in the test language and do not resort to your native language or to making up words. If you do use an Anglicism or slang term, do not be surprised if the interviewer asks you to describe what this word means. Demonstrating how well you can explain terms that you do not know in the test language is a communication task looked for at the Intermediate High level and above.
For more information about ACTFL and the OPI test, visit: OPI (Website) OPIc (Website) OPIc Demo (Website) ACFTL Guidelines (Website)
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