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ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI or OPIc) Admission Requirements
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 can 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 questions are delivered 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 (www.languagetesting.com)
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 take the assessment from 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, taken over the phone with a live tester, requires ten days’ notice.
Proctoring Site: You must contact the desired proctoring facility and identify two different dates at least ten days out from the day you submit the test application. These dates must be listed on the test application as you fill it out.
Step 3 - Test Scheduled Notification
Once your application has been processed, you will receive 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: Provide an official copy of your certificate via the Documents tab.
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. You can view the test result and print your certificate through this site.
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 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 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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