The Role of Testing Language Proficiency as Part of Teacher Certification

Abstract

The author presents a response to the article Looking Into a Crystal Ball: Is Requiring High-Stakes Language Proficiency Tests Really Going to Improve World Language Education? by Brigid M. Burke, particularly commenting on the degree to which language proficiency testing should affect foreign language teacher certification in the U.S. She addresses the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language (ACTFL) tests as a proficiency measure rather than a high stakes test. Other topics explored include the commonality of educational assessments in the U.S., competency-based education, and state departments of educations' attempts to keep the quality of second language education high.