Assessment
From caslsflagship.uoregon.edu
ACTFL Foreign Language Proficiency Guidelines
http://actflproficiencyguidelines2012.org/[1]
Standardized Assessments
The Chinese Language Flagship consortium works together to provide students with periodic language assessments designed to help track learning progress. The summative tests help serve as benchmarks for language learning progress and placement into Flagship study abroad programs. Tests results do not affect students course grades, but serve as extra credit for students in CHNF 420-421 and CHNF 445. Assessments are a condition for scholarship consideration by the Language Flagship.
Students will be prompted to register for each assessment and receive log-ins and password through the UO CHN Flagship office.
2012-2013 Academic Year Schedule
| Term/Dates | Test | Timing | Required | Proctor | Notes |
| Fall Term
In Class | Linguafolio[2] | 全部 UOCHNF | X | No | |
| Fall Term
Oct.3-Oct.12.2012 | OPI: ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview-via phone[3]
OPIc Practice site [4] | 前/后 capstone yr | X | Yes | Students applying for capstone starting spring term A 3-hour time slot is needed when scheduling OPI.
|
| Fall Term
Oct.6-Oct.9 | American Councils (AC) Online Reading and Listening Tests [5](Computerized Assessments of Proficiency) | capstone yr 前/后 | X | Yes | Students applying for capstone starting spring term. |
| Fall Term | CATRC (Computer-Adaptive Test for Reading Chinese), BYU[6]
CCALT (Chinese Computerized Adaptive Listening Test), BYU[7] | Harbin Program后 | X | Yes | To be determined per year |
| Winter Term
(Jan.12 2013) | HSK: 汉语水平考试 Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (Chinese Standardized Test) [8]
Register online for the “UO January 12” at www. Chinesetesting.cn by Dec16 2012. The test will be at UO Knight Library 267B. Registered participants should arrive by 8:45,. The test begins at 9:00 am, Jan 12 (Sat). 2013 HSK Exam(pdf) | 每年 | Optional | Yes | HSK scores can be supporting evidence of language ability for in the capstone application. |
| Winter Term
(AC: Feb22, Feb 23) (OPI: Feb19-Mar 1) | American Councils (AC) Online Reading and Listening Test[9]
OPI Test[10] OPIc Practice site [11] | capstone yr 前/后 | X | Yes
Yes | Students applying for capstone starting fall term |
| Spring Term
April 20 (Sat.) | HSK: 汉语水平考试 Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (Chinese Standardized Test) [12]
Register online for the “UO April 20” at www. Chinesetesting.cn by April 10, 2013. The test will be at UO Knight Library 267B. Registered participants should arrive at 9:15am on Saturday, April 20. 2013 April 20 HSK Exam(pdf) | 每年 | Optional | Yes
(CI) Yes | HSK scores can be supporting evidence of language ability for in the capstone application. |
| Spring Term
May Weeks 5 & 6 | CAP(Computerized Assessments of Proficiency) Novice through Advanced-High in Chinese. Reading and Listening computer graded reporting, hosted by UO-CASLS.[13] | Everyone 每年 | X | Yes | Capstone returnees are not required to take the CAP test in Spring Term. |
| Any term | WPT: ACTFL Writing Proficiency Test [14]
This is a standardized test for global assessment of functional writing ability. | capstone yr 后 | Optional | Yes | WPT is for National certificate seeking students. |
| Any term | GLOSS(Global Language Online Support System)
Online reading and listening language lessons [15] and ODA (Online Diagnostic Assessment) [16] | Anytime | Optional | No | Gloss & Diagnostic Assessment are free. |
| Any term | FSI(The Foreign Service Institute) Chinese Speaking and Reading Language Proficiency Test [17] | capstone yr 后 | Optional | Yes
(NSEP) | FSI exams are hosted through NSEP and taken in Washington DC. |
| TBA | OPIC(ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview –via computer): [18]
OPIc Practice site [19] | TBA | Optional | TBA |
Note: If you have any questions about any of the tests above, please contact the Assessment Assistant at flagship@uoregon.edu
LinguaFolio [20]
Students create a LinguaFolio to document and track their language proficiency progress. Students can record real-world language samples as proficiency evidence in this e-portfolio format. The system is based on Can-Do task statements developed through the European Language Portfolio and modified by the National Council of State Supervisors of Foreign Languages (NCSSFL). A passport summarizes students proficiency level and standardized test scores for student to present to potential internships or employers. LinguaFolio is hosted by CASLS. It is required that all Flagship students use LinguaFolio.
学生使用Linguafolio进行汉语自我测试，通过上传语言学习成果，自我跟踪语言能力的发展。Linguafolio会将学生许学习成果记录成册，成为学生的自我语言测试档案。Linguafolio同时也辅助教师加了解学生语言学习情况，从而给予学生更有效的语言教学和辅导。该系统由国家外国语文学会（NCSSFL）根据“达标”成效，研发而成，用于展示学生语言学习成果及习得水平，同时也会作为提供实习工作机构参考的信息。
OPI (ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview)[21]
The ACTFL OPI is a high stakes placement test used for study abroad, scholarship, and employment purposes. Students receive an official OPI certificate certified by an ACTFL proficiency assessment rater. OPI are typically conducted over the phone, students will need to reserve a time to call in and are responsible for calling in exactly at the pre-scheduled time. All tests last precisely 30 minutes. Like any formal interview, students should practice with a partner. To learn more go to OPI: (http://www.actfl.org/professional-development/certified-proficiency-testing-program/testing-proficiency?pageid=3348)
American Councils (AC) Online Reading and Listening Test [22]
As part of the Flagship Capstone application requirements, American Councils administers an online listening and reading test for students to take before and after the capstone. To accommodate all institutions and students, a weekday and a weekend test day are made available. You will have to work with the Assessment Assistant GTF to choose which test day(s) and times you are available will take the test. The listening and reading tests will take 180 minutes (90 minutes each). Both tests must be proctored. The reading test is available in either simplified or traditional. By simplified form, we mean that the lower level reading prompts are in simplified characters. By traditional form, we mean that the lower level reading prompts are in traditional characters (the prompts are identical to the prompts on the simplified form, only they are in traditional Chinese). The higher level reading prompts will be the same for both forms. The listening section will be the same for both forms. You will need to identify which version you want to begin the test. Capstone students take the AC online reading and listening test once before and once after the capstone.
POST-CAPSTONE
Fall 2012 cohort – June-August (varies by internship end date)
Spring 2013 cohort – November-January (varies by internship end date)
PRE-CAPSTONE
Spring 2014 cohort – Saturday, October 5 OR Tuesday, October 8 (back up test date Wednesday October 9)
CATRC (Computer-Adaptive Test for Reading Chinese) [23]
CATRC is an online reading test used to place students in Chinese Language Flagship summer programs. WebCAPE/CCART Reading takes approximately 30 minutes. The exam uses both traditional and simplified characters and presents questions of varying difficulty, adapting each question’s level according to the previous answers. The CATRC is hosted by the Chinese Flagship Program at Brigham Young University (BYU).
CCALT (Chinese Computerized Adaptive Listening Test) [24]
CCALT is an online listening test used to place students in Chinese Language Flagship summer programs. The test takes approximately 30 minutes and prompts students to print out a certificate of completion. The CCALT is also hosted by Brigham Young University (BYU).
HSK (汉语水平考试)Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi: Chinese Standardized Test) [25]
The Chinese Proficiency test (HSK) is China's national standardized test designed and developed by the HSK Center of Beijing Language and Culture University to assess the Chinese language proficiency of non-native speakers (including foreigners, overseas Chinese and students from Chinese national minorities). This test is offered every year at the UO and quarterly at PSU our respective Confucius Institutes and can be used as supporting evidence of students’ language ability in the capstone application. Pre-capstone students who take HSK 5 or 6 may request a reimbursement for the testing fees from UO Chinese Flagship. To learn more, go to 2013 HSK Exam(pdf)
Chinese CAP (Computerized Assessment of Proficiency) [26]
CAP is designed to provide an overall estimate of a student’s proficiency in four skills. It is a snapshot of language ability based on a relatively short number of tasks. As such, the CAP is not a substitute for the judgment of an experienced classroom teacher. CAP can be used efficiently, however, to gauge general proficiency at the start of a course for placement purposes or to provide an indication of general proficiency at the end of a course for summative assessment. As a standardized assessment, it can provide a common touchstone for comparison at the school, district, or state level. A foreign language instructor knows his or her students the best, but does not necessarily know how those students compare to students in similar programs in other places. A standardized assessment like CAP can help facilitate such comparisons. To know more CAP specifications, please go to: (http://casls.uoregon.edu/cap/) This online assessment can take between 90 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the number of sections taken. On campus Flagship students only need to take the Reading and Listening portions of the CAP. This is an adaptive test and will adjust depending on student's ability. Students are able to take the test in multiple settings but will have to restart the test if they log out while in the middle of a test section. The CAP test is hosted by UO Center for Applied Second Languages Studies (CASLS). To know more about CAP, please go to:(http://casls.uoregon.edu/pages/tools/cap.php)
WPT (ACTFL Writing Proficiency Test)[27]
This post-capstone test measures how well students write in Mandarin by comparing their performance with the criteria described in ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines. The test taker is given 90 minutes (booklet) to complete the four major test prompts. To know more about WPT, you can go to:[28] Check out frequently asked questions at: WPT FAQs(pdf)
GLOSS (Global Language Online Support System) [29]
Online reading and listening language lessons are developed for independent learners to provide them with the learning/teaching tools for improving their foreign language skills. Reading and listening lessons are based on authentic materials (articles, TV reports, radio broadcasts, etc.) and consist of 4 to 6 activities. In-depth Feedback accompanies all motivating tasks, providing learners with thorough explanations and tutoring just like an attentive and experienced teacher would do. NOW AVAILABLE - GLOSS Certificates providing documentation of work accomplished. With more than 6,000 lessons, GLOSS is a valuable resource in maintaining and improving language ability and proficiency. See link above for details.
ODA (Online Diagnostic Assessment) [30]
Online Diagnostic Assessment is a tool developed by the Defense Language Institute, Foreign Language Center to help you, the foreign language learner, evaluate and manage your learning. ODA identifies your strengths and needs in a foreign language, and provides you with individualized, relevant feedback. This feedback is based on a sampling of your abilities across a variety of levels, topics, tasks, and specific linguistic features. All Assessment texts are selected or adapted from authentic sources in accordance with Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) level descriptions. See link above for details.
FSI (The Foreign Service Institute) Chinese Speaking and Reading Language Proficiency Test [31]
The FSI Language Proficiency Test is administered orally and lasts approximately two hours from the beginning to the end. The test is intended to elicit a ratable sample of the ability to use the language in real-life communicative tasks. At the same time, the test is designed to produce a language sample that will elicit in a short time the best possible information about the examinee's abilities to speak and read the target language. The testing team uses the sample to assess the examinee's performance based on the Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) Skill Level Descriptions. This is the rating scale used by all U.S. Government agencies.
This test is designed to measure examinee’s speaking and reading proficiency. The purpose of the speaking test is to obtain a ratable sample of the examinee's ability to communicate in face-to-face interaction in the language. It is subdivided into three parts: conversation, speaking at length, and interview. The reading test evaluates the Examinee's ability to read in a foreign language by carrying out a series of tasks requiring the ability to locate, relate and interpret ideas expressed in a variety of written materials. It is subdivided into two major parts: reading for gist and reading in depth. The two components of the FSI language proficiency test are graded separately, resulting in two scores on the 0 to 5 ILR scale.
The speaking and reading tests are graded by two independent raters; raters undergo a rigorous training program to ensure reliability and validity of ratings. Proctoring and test security procedures are of high quality. Tests are cross-referenced. Flagship students can count their FSI scores towards the National Flagship Certification. FSI exams are hosted through NSEP and taken in Washington DC. To know more information, please go to: (http://www2.acenet.edu/credit/?fuseaction=browse.getOrganizationDetail&FICE=1005379)
OPIc (ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview –via computer) [32]
The OPIc is an internet delivered test which provides valid and reliable oral proficiency testing on a large scale. It was developed in response to the increased worldwide demand for the testing of oral language proficiency. The computer delivered assessment emulates the ‘live’ OPI, but delivery of questions is through a carefully designed computer program, and via a virtual avatar. Thus the test can be taken on demand, and at at a time convenient to the candidate and proctor. The goal of the instrument is the same as the OPI: to obtain a ratable sample of speech which a rater can evaluate and compare to the ACTFL or ILR Proficiency Guidelines in order to assign a rating. The current version of the OPIc rates the full range of the ACTFL scale, from Novice through Superior. To know more about OPIc, please go to:(http://www.languagetesting.com/oral-proficiency-interview-by-computer-opic) See OPIc practice site: (http://www.clsweb.org/2011/04/demo-opic-now-available/)
