MSI Press Blog

  Excerpt from  Think Yourself into Becoming a Language Learning Super Star How to Prepare for an Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) All of the organizations that administer written proficiency tests also administer oral proficiency tests. You can find information at the same sites as given for the written tests. Please note that Language Testing International (LTI) administers the OPI of the American Council on Teaching Foreign Languages (ACTFL) so LTI’s site is the best place to go for information. Some private institutes, organizations, and companies have developed various forms of an OPI, but they are not as commonly known or used as those of ACTFL and the US government. Preparing for the test Here are some thoughts to keep in mind as soon as you know you will be taking an OPI: ·        Given that we become good at what we practice (and not good at what we do not), then it goes without saying that we should practice speaking as much as possible,...

  Excerpt from  Think Yourself into Becoming a Language Learning Super Star How to Prepare for a Written General Proficiency Test Sometimes language learners have to take a general proficiency test not connected with any course they are take. Sometimes, a teacher may incorporate a proficiency test into the end of course requirements. Other times, you may need to take a general proficiency test for language course placement or for a job. These tests differ from classroom proficiency tests. They are broader in scope and more demanding in the skill set they expect. There are very few such tests in existence. The American Council on Teaching Foreign Languages developed one for academic programs (K-12 and university); you can find information at the organization’s website. The Foreign Service Institute has its own proficiency test for diplomats, and the US Department of Defense administers the Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) to its departmental employees, service members, ...

Excerpt from  Think Yourself into Becoming a Language Learning Super Star Doing Well on Classroom Tests Classroom Tests The better you know the language, the better you will do on the test. Period. It does not really matter what type of test it is. Classroom tests can take many different shapes. Most, though, they will usually fit into one of three types of tests: achievement, prochievement (pro-achievement), or proficiency. Each has a format; each has a content. These differ somewhat among the test types.   Achievement tests Achievement tests are a check of your knowledge. They may try also to test your language skills, but generally that can only be accomplished by a proficiency test. Format of achievement tests The format of an achievement test takes a limited number of forms. Sometimes the forms are combined. The test might have multiple choice answer, fill=ins, or matching items. Sometimes, they will have questions requiring short answers, but all the short answers must b...