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Proof of Proficiency Policy

The proof-of-proficiency examination option can be pursued to satisfy college, school, department or program requirements for language study at Saint Louis University.

Credit hours will not be awarded for the successful completion of a proficiency examination and therefore will not apply toward the total credit hour requirements for graduation. Foreign language proof of proficiency by examination must occur not later than the achievement of 60 credit hours (90 credit hours for transfer students).

Proof-of-proficiency examinations are scheduled through Language Testing International (LTI)* in conjunction with the Language Resource Center. Students schedule an oral proficiency interview (OPI) through LTI and are evaluated against standards established by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).

For a successful examination, the ACTFL OPI results must minimally be rated at:

  • Intermediate-low level for languages in Foreign Service Institute categories 1-3, which include French, German, Italian and Spanish.
  • Novice-high level for languages in Foreign Service Institute categories 4-5,
    which include Chinese and Russian.

For languages not categorized by the FSI, an intermediate-low level is required for all Romance and Germanic languages. Non-Romance, non-Germanic languages require a proficiency level at the novice-high level.

For questions on the proof-of-proficiency policy, please contact the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures at languages@slu.edu

ACTFL OPI Examination Steps for Students

Contact the Language Resource Center at llc@slu.edu to set up dates and times for the ACTFL (OPI) before applying online to take the OPI language proficiency exam. The Language Resource Center proctors the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview.

Register for the ACTFL OPI Exam

  1. Contact Language Resource Center Director Dan Nickolai, Ph.D., in the LRC to arrange the following:
    • Two separate testing dates with a three-hour block of time (example: May 4, 2024 from 8 a.m.-11 a.m. and May 12, 2024 from 12 p.m.-3 p.m.)
    • All exams/arrangements must be made at least two weeks prior to testing dates. Recommended time frame is early in each semester. Testing is not offered during summer or winter breaks, or when fall and spring classes are not in session. 
  2.  After testing dates are scheduled, you will receive further instructions on how to register and pay for your exam from the testing center.  

In lieu of an LTI-delivered ACTFL OPI, students may submit certified exam results from member institutions of the Association of Language Testers in Europe. These results are rated according to The Common European Framework of Reference. Students must achieve a B1 rating for FSI categories 1-3 or an A2 rating for categories 4-5.

 

 

OPI examinations are not available for all languages. For demonstrating language proficiency in Latin or ancient Greek, please contact Joan Hart-Hasler, Ph.D., in the Department of Theological Studies.

 

 

Please contact the Language Resource Center for availability and scheduling questions at llc@slu.edu.