“Knowing another language enriches your personal life, expands the range of professional opportunities open to you and increases your power to act as a citizen of the world.” Modern Language Association
The Department of Modern Languages is pleased to contribute to student enrichment by offering courses in American Sign Language, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Greek (Ancient), Latin, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Spanish. All Bachelor of Arts (BA) students are required to show language proficiency in a language other than English, in accordance with the university’s Learning Outcomes and Goal #4: Intercultural & Global Understanding. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to increase their modern language proficiency by continuing their language studies or to begin their studies in a new language. However, should students not have the space in their academic plan to allow for language courses, students may demonstrate language proficiency by taking a test, if necessary, in lieu of language courses.
Demonstrating Language Proficiency
To demonstrate language proficiency, which is a requirement of many degree programs, you may either complete a DePaul Placement Test or a non-DePaul Proficiency Test.
DePaul University offer Placement Tests in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, and Spanish for Heritage Speakers. Students may request access to the online language placement test through Campus Connect. After logging in:
1. Go to the "Admitted Student Home Page" in the drop-down menu of the upper left corner.
2. Click the "Next Steps" tile; the landing page should say “Placement Process (undergrad)."
3. Scroll down and click “Modern Language Test.” A new window to D2L should pop up, prompting students to log into D2L. If “Modern Language Test” is not available to select, access is already available in D2L under "My Courses."
4. In D2L, click on “View All Courses," and select “Modern Language Placement Test.”
5. Finally, click “Quizzes” at the top left corner and select a language test.
You MUST complete the test in one sitting. After the alotted time expires (2 hours for most Placement Tests), the exam will be locked and graded, and you will not have the ability to return to any section.
In the event that a student experiences technical difficulties and is unable to complete the language test, they may contact LAS Advising at LASAdvising@depaul.edu to request a possible test reset. These requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Completed tests will not be eligible for a reset.
To demonstrate language proficiency with an exam not offered by DePaul, students may take exams offered by Brigham Young University (BYU) and/or Language Testing International (LTI). Students interested in taking the BYU or LTI tests should first contact the designated testing Proctor, Associate Chair for Modern Languages, Dr. Polly Mangerson.
BYU Exam
To register, please visit the BYU registration page. The cost of the online BYU exam is paid with application directly to BYU.
For questions related to BYU exams, please contact testing@byu.edu or (801) 422-3512.
LTI Exam
To register, please visit the LTI homepage. Request a Written Proficiency Test (WPT) booklet for the Language for Liberal Studies Option (LLS) and for language certificates, or the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) for MOL graduate students. When prompted to list your test date preferences, WPT-takers enter only the predetermined proctor dates. The cost of the WPT or OPI is paid directly to LTI. After an application is processed by LTI, students will receive an email confirmation with the date, time and important ID/password information from LTI for the exam. Students must save this email; access to test prep information will be included in this email, and student will need it in order to access their score. Writing Proficiency Test sample texts (by level of proficiency) can be found on the ACTFL website.
For questions related to LTI exams, please contact info@languagetesting.com or (800) 486-8444.
DePaul Placement Test Tips:
Students will not be able to revisit previous sections of any exam, and each exam must be completed in one sitting. Students can optimize their testing experience with adequate preparation.
No special preparation is necessary for the language placement tests. However, students may help referesh their knowledge of a language by:
1. Reviewing the final chapters from the language textbooks that were last used;
2. Reading printed material (newspapers, websites) in the language;
3. Watching television programs and movies in the language.
4. Listening to radio broadcasts in the language.
To complete any test, students may use any device that is internet enabled as long as they are using the browsers Chrome, Firefox, or Edge; Safari is not fully compatible with D2L. In addition, some tests require streaming audio, as well as speakers or headphones for listening comprehension.
The standard Spanish test is used to assess those who learned Spanish in a classroom setting. The Heritage Spanish test is used to assess students who learned Spanish outside a classroom setting, such as through family, friends and/or the neighborhood. Students unsure of which test to take may take the Spanish pretest or consult a faculty member in the Department of Modern Languages.
Students who want to study Spanish and who place into Heritage Spanish courses are required to take Spanish Heritage courses.
- Intermediate Heritage Track: SPN 114 fall, 115 winter, 200 spring (200 applicable toward SPN minor/major)
- Advanced Heritage Track (applicable toward SPN minor/major): 205 fall, 206 winter, 207 spring
Students will see their DePaul Placement Test results immediately but must contact their college advising office if they need their records updated per test results.
ACTFL Proficiency Examples
LTI is the exclusive licensee of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) and will provide test takers with a certificate that provides them with an official level of proficiency, in accordance with the ACTFL standards. Students are encouraged to list their official ACTFL level of proficiency on their resume.
Resume Suggestions
- Under "Skills" or related
- Under "Certificates & Awards" or related
{Language}: American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) {Rating} Certificate
- Arabic: American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Advanced-mid Certificate
{Language Rating}, American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Certificate
- Arabic Advanced-mid, American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Certificate
For employment that requires a specific level of language proficiency, students may wish to consider hyperlinking the ACTFL rating on their resume.