Modern Language Proficiency

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

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.  

{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.

• Arabic
• English
  
• French
• German
• Spanish

• English
• French
  
• German
• Spanish
  

• English
• English - Distinguished 
• French
• French - Distinguished
• Russian - Distinguished
  
• Spanish
• Spanish - Distinguished
  

Graduate students in the Department of Modern Languages are required to complete the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) in order to complete their master's degree in a language.

Most bachelor of arts majors require placement into 104 or higher. For programs that require intermediate-level proficiency, students must place into the 200 level.

Language Testing International's (LTI) Written Proficiency Test (WPT)

BYU will test the equivalent of DePaul 101-103 (beginner) courses and are pass/fail. Students who need to demonstrate intermediate level or higher proficiency, are interested in earning a certificate or are formally assessing their level of language proficiency should complete an LTI test.

Language Testing International has FAQs and other information posted about the WPT posted on their website.