Language proficiency
Encyclopedia
Language proficiency or linguistic proficiency is the ability of an individual to speak or perform in an acquired language. As theories vary among pedagogues as to what constitutes proficiency, there is little consistency as to how different organizations classify it. Additionally, fluency
and language
competence
are generally recognized as being related, but separate controversial subjects. In predominant frameworks in the United States
, proficient speakers demonstrate both accuracy and fluency, and use a variety of discourse strategies. Thus, native speakers of a language can be fluent without being considered proficient.
(ACTFL) distinguishes between proficiency and performance. In part, ACTFL's definition of proficiency is derived from mandates issued by the US government, declaring that a limited English proficient student is one who comes from a non-English background and "who has sufficient difficulty speaking, reading, writing, or understanding the English language and whose difficulties may deny such an individual the opportunity to learn successfully in classrooms where the language of instruction is English or to participate fully in our society."
ACTFL views "performance" as being the combined effect of all three modes of communication: interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational.
See also: Language tests category
Fluency
Fluency is the property of a person or of a system that delivers information quickly and with expertise.-Speech:...
and language
Language
Language may refer either to the specifically human capacity for acquiring and using complex systems of communication, or to a specific instance of such a system of complex communication...
competence
Linguistic competence
Linguistic competence is the system of linguistic knowledge possessed by native speakers of a language, it is in contrast to the concept of Linguistic performance, the way the language system is used in communication...
are generally recognized as being related, but separate controversial subjects. In predominant frameworks in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, proficient speakers demonstrate both accuracy and fluency, and use a variety of discourse strategies. Thus, native speakers of a language can be fluent without being considered proficient.
ACTFL
The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign LanguagesAmerican Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages
The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages is an American organization aiming to improve and expand the teaching and learning of all languages at all levels of instruction...
(ACTFL) distinguishes between proficiency and performance. In part, ACTFL's definition of proficiency is derived from mandates issued by the US government, declaring that a limited English proficient student is one who comes from a non-English background and "who has sufficient difficulty speaking, reading, writing, or understanding the English language and whose difficulties may deny such an individual the opportunity to learn successfully in classrooms where the language of instruction is English or to participate fully in our society."
ACTFL views "performance" as being the combined effect of all three modes of communication: interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational.
Proficiency frameworks
Note that test scores may not correlate reliably, as different understandings of proficiency lead to different types of assessment:- FSI Test (Foreign Service InstituteForeign Service InstituteThe Foreign Service Institute is the United States Federal Government's primary training institution for employees of the U.S. foreign affairs community, preparing American diplomats and other professionals to advance U.S. foreign affairs interests overseas and in Washington...
) Scores range from 0 to 5+. (deprecated) - Interagency Language RoundtableILR scaleThe Interagency Language Roundtable scale is a set of descriptions of abilities to communicate in a language. It was originally developed by the Interagency Language Roundtable, which included representation by United States Foreign Service Institute, the predecessor of the National Foreign...
Scores range from 0 to 5. (evolved from FSI) - Language Proficiency IndexLanguage Proficiency IndexThe Language Proficiency Index or LPI is a Canadian standardized test for English proficiency and is administered by Paragon Testing Enterprises, a subsidiary of the University of British Columbia...
- ACTFL Proficiency GuidelinesACTFL Proficiency GuidelinesThe ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines were created by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages in order to provide a means of assessing the proficiency of a foreign language speaker....
ACTFL recognises ten different levels of proficiency: "novice", "intermediate", "advanced", and "superior", of which the first three are each subdivided into "low", "mid", and "high". - Common European Framework of Reference for LanguagesCommon European Framework of Reference for LanguagesThe Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment, abbreviated as CEFR, is a guideline used to describe achievements of learners of foreign languages across Europe and, increasingly, in other countries...
CEF recognises six levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2.
Proficiency tests
- Defense Language Proficiency TestsDefense Language Proficiency TestsThe Defense Language Proficiency Test is a battery of foreign language tests produced by the Defense Language Institute and used by the United States Department of Defense. They are intended to assess the general language proficiency of native English speakers in a specific foreign language, in...
- General English Proficiency TestGeneral English Proficiency TestThe General English Proficiency Test is a test of English language proficiency that was commissioned by Taiwan's Ministry of Education in 1999...
- Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng KǎoshìHànyu Shuipíng KaoshìThe Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi, , abbreviated as HSK, is the People's Republic of China's only standardized test of Standard Chinese language proficiency for non-native speakers, namely foreign students, overseas Chinese, and members of ethnic minority groups in China...
(汉语水平考试) - Language Proficiency Assessment for TeachersLanguage Proficiency Assessment for TeachersThe Language Proficiency Assessment for Teachers is an assessment examination for the language proficiency of teachers in Hong Kong. According to regulations, any teachers teaching English language or Putonghua in Hong Kong, where Cantonese Chinese is mostly spoken, must have passed the LPAT, i.e...
- University of Cambridge ESOL examinationUniversity of Cambridge ESOL examinationUniversity of Cambridge ESOL Examinations is a non-profit assessment organization that provides examinations in English language ability for non-native speakers of English and English teaching qualifications.- Overview :...
- Japanese Language Proficiency TestJapanese Language Proficiency TestThe , or JLPT, is a standardized criterion-referenced test to evaluate and certify Japanese language proficiency for non-native speakers.The JLPT was expanded to five levels in 2010, with passing Level N5 denoting simple language abilities, and Level N1 denoting advanced language abilities...
( (日本語能力試験 Nihongo Nōryoku Shiken) - Examination for Japanese University AdmissionExamination for Japanese University AdmissionThe ; literally, "Japan Foreign Study Test"), more commonly referred to as simply the Examination for Japanese University Admission , is a standardized test that began in 2002 as a replacement for both the Japanese Language Proficiency Test and the General Examination for Foreign Students, the...
- TOEFLTOEFLThe Test of English as a Foreign Language, or TOEFL , evaluates the ability of an individual to use and understand English in an academic setting....
(Test Of English as a Foreign Language) - TOEICTOEICThe Test of English for International Communication measures the ability of non-native English-speaking examinees to use English in everyday workplace activities.-Overview:...
(Test of English for International Communication) - TEPSTEPSThe Test of English Proficiency developed by Seoul National University or TEPS is an English proficiency test created by the Language Education Institute to evaluate Korean test takers' English language skills. TEPS has been administered nationwide since January 1999...
(Test of English Proficiency developed by Seoul National University) - Test de français internationalTest de français internationalThe Test de français international is a language proficiency test for non-native speakers of French. It is administered by the Educational Testing Service ....
- Test de connaissance du françaisTest de connaissance du françaisThe Test de connaissance du français is a language placement test for non-native speakers of French. It is administered by the Centre international d'études pédagogiques for the French Ministry of Education...
- DELE (Diplomas of Spanish as Foreign Language)Diplomas de Español como Lengua ExtranjeraThe Diplomas de Español como Lengua Extranjera are official diplomas issued by the Spanish Instituto Cervantes and the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science to participants who pass a standardized test indicating Spanish language proficiencyThe DELE exists in six levels, each corresponds to a...
- UBELT (University of BathUniversity of BathThe University of Bath is a campus university located in Bath, United Kingdom. It received its Royal Charter in 1966....
English Language Test)
See also: Language tests category
Professional organizations
- Alliance françaiseAlliance françaiseThe Alliance française , or AF, is an international organisation that aims to promote French language and culture around the world. created in Paris on 21 July 1883, its primary concern is teaching French as a second language and is headquartered in Paris -History:The Alliance was created in Paris...
- American Council on the Teaching of Foreign LanguagesAmerican Council on the Teaching of Foreign LanguagesThe American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages is an American organization aiming to improve and expand the teaching and learning of all languages at all levels of instruction...
- Association of Language Testers in EuropeAssociation of Language Testers in EuropeThe Association of Language Testers in Europe is an association of language exam providers.The ALTE "Can Do" project developed a simplified set of 400+ descriptors for language examinations which relate to the Common Reference Levels...
- Foreign service instituteForeign Service InstituteThe Foreign Service Institute is the United States Federal Government's primary training institution for employees of the U.S. foreign affairs community, preparing American diplomats and other professionals to advance U.S. foreign affairs interests overseas and in Washington...
- Goethe-InstitutGoethe-InstitutThe Goethe-Institut is a non-profit German cultural institution operational worldwide, promoting the study of the German language abroad and encouraging international cultural exchange and relations. The Goethe-Institut also fosters knowledge about Germany by providing information on German...
- UCLESUCLESUniversity of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate is a non-teaching department of the University of Cambridge and is a not-for-profit organisation...
- UNIcertUNIcertThe UNIcert is an international system of certification and accreditation for various languages learnt in a university context. The main goal of UNIcert is to support language education for universities and to provide an accepted certificate that proves language knowledge outside universities.The...
- Instituto CervantesInstituto CervantesThe Cervantes Institute is a worldwide non-profit organization created by the Spanish government in 1991. It is named after Miguel de Cervantes , the author of Don Quixote and perhaps the most important figure in the history of Spanish literature...
- UBELT
See also
- FluencyFluencyFluency is the property of a person or of a system that delivers information quickly and with expertise.-Speech:...
- VocabularyVocabularyA person's vocabulary is the set of words within a language that are familiar to that person. A vocabulary usually develops with age, and serves as a useful and fundamental tool for communication and acquiring knowledge...
- The set of words in a given language that a speaker is familiar with, which can be subdivided into: a) words which are recognized upon hearing or reading; and b) words which a person feels comfortable using in speech.