Advanced Low Language Proficiency–An Achievable Goal?

Abstract

The author discusses the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) standard of language proficiency expected of foreign language teachers in the U.S., particularly addressing the fairness of using an Advanced Low rating as the benchmark for proficiency. It addresses prospective teacher scores on the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and the Writing Proficiency Test (WPT), the two main examinations for assessing proficiency. Topics explored include preservice teacher education, setting high standards for both language students and language teachers in the U.S., and teachers' use of the target language in the classroom.