French and International Languages Proficieny Testing

Who Writes the Test  | Registration | How to Prepare  |  Testing Options When Distant from OISE  |  Exemptions  | Accommodation for Documented Disability

If you are applying to or registered in a French or International Languages (German, Italian, Spanish or other) course, you are required to pass a proficiency test before being admitted in the AQ course.

Who Writes the Test

Courses which require a proficiency test:

• All French as a Second Language courses
• All International Languages Honour Specialist Courses (German, Spanish, Italian or other)

There are no exemptions.

Successful completion of this test is valid for 3 years from the date you took the test.

Registration

After registering and logging in, you will see a link named "Click here for AQ Language Proficiency Testing"

Test Details

*If you are unable to pay online with VISA or MasterCard credit card, alternate arrangement can be made by emailing oiseproficiencytesting@utoronto.ca .

On the day of the test, it is important to arrive at the specified registration time to ensure the test starts on time.

ONLY IF SPACE IS AVAILABLE WILL SAME DAY TEST REGISTRATIONS BE ACCEPTED
We are unable to process any credit card or debit cards on test day. Cash only

About the Test

The proficiency test has been designed to evaluate your ability to understand, speak, read and write in the language of your course: French, German, Spanish or Italian. It is structured in three parts:

1. Comprehension: Listening to a tape, reading text and answering questions.
2. Written: Cloze test (filling in the blanks with the right word, composing short memos, faxes, notes, reports, letter to a parent).
3. Oral: Interview with a teacher, may include two other students or one-on-one dialogue, (approx. 15 minutes duration).

For example, you might be asked:

• to write a letter to a Consulate requesting information for an upcoming class
• to listen to a tape recording of a curriculum specialist describing innovative practices for the teaching of foreign languages
• to give instructions orally for carrying out a particular classroom task
• to read a newspaper article about a pedagogical issue and answer comprehensive questions

No sample tests can be provided. The test is two hours in length.

• Dictionaries are not permitted.
• You need to bring one piece of photo-identification, e.g., driver's license or TCard
• You should bring a pen.

Length of time, format of oral testing, subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.

How the Test is Evaluated

You will pass the proficiency test if you can demonstrate that you have mastered the specific language at a level high enough to enable you to teach students at any level of proficiency, including beginning and advanced level students. In addition, you must demonstrate proficiency in all skill areas in order to pass the test. It is not sufficient to do well only on one part of the test. The passing grade for each part of the proficiency test is 75%.

The criterion for evaluation is as follows:

• linguistic competence: mastery of grammar, vocabulary, agreements, spelling, syntax, pronunciation
• fluency
• sociolinguistic competence: appropriate usage of language in different social contexts
• style: coherence and cohesion of language and ideas as well as the ability to convey one's message
• appropriateness of ideas

Communication of Results

Test results will be sent by email as soon as posible once the tests are graded.

What are my options if I do not pass the proficiency test?
Successful completion of the French or International Languages (German, Italian, Spanish or other) test(s) is an admission pre-requisite. If you do not pass the proficiency test you could retake the test a second time if you wish.

How to Prepare

If you have not taken courses recently in the target language or do not have the opportunity to use the target language on a regular basis, you might want to consider preparing for the proficiency test by:

1. Immersing yourself as much as possible in the target language by:

- watching television
- listening to the radio
- reading books, magazines and newspapers
- engaging in conversation with native speakers
- completing practical writing tasks

2. Reviewing important aspects of the language including:

- the tense system
- idiomatic expressions
- appropriate social and cultural conventions
- devises for cohesion and coherence

3. Preparing for a cloze passage by taking a newspaper article and deleting every 6th, 7th or 8th word, (such as articles/determinants, prepositions, verbs, adjectives, pronoms relatifs) and then testing yourself by filling in the blanks.

Testing Options When Distant from OISE

• If you live more than 3 hours drive  outside of Toronto and qualify for the service, you may have your test proctored by the administration of the school in your hometown at a local school.
• You must apply for this option by the deadline outlined above to oiseproficiencytesting@utoronto.ca

Exemptions

There are no exemptions for the French and International Lanuguages Proficiency Test.

• If you have successfully completed a proficiency test at OISE, in the specific French or International Language (German, Italian, Spanish or other) course in which you are seeking admission, within the last 3 years (3 years from test date), you are not required to retake the test.
• Proficiency testing results from other Institutions are not considered for exemptions. 

Accommodation for Documented Disability

If you have any special needs that require special accommodations please email ceaccommodation@utoronto.ca