4 weeks ago I took the ACTFL OPI (American Council of the Teaching of Foreign Languages Oral Proficiency Interview).
It lasted about 30 minutes. A native Spanish speaker asked me lots of questions designed to assess my proficiency. I was able to discuss at length my experiences in Venezuela and the DR. We talked for almost 10 minutes about the role of missionaries in today's society. We also discussed the elections in the DR and Venezuela. These were the more complicated questions; beyond that I waxed poetic on Maine seasons, my garden, and why I am a teacher.
After waiting anxiously for my results, I found out today that I passed at an advanced mid level, two steps below a Superior (native) level! (I have never taken a formal Spanish class, BTW.)
If anyone on the board needs more information on the test, PM me and I can tell you more. It is a common assessment used in education and government and in many US states it can help with your teaching credential. In fact it is required in Maine to become a "Highly Qualified Teacher", a new-fangled thing related to the No Child Left Behind Act.
Also, if you ever get the chance to host, send, or be an exchange student....it is so worth it....you learn much more than ever could be learned in a classroom.
My tester did warn against using too much slang, so I tried really hard not to lapse into my "street" Spanish although I did say "un chin" a few times and "chevere" many times but thankfully avoided anything that could be followed by "tu madre".
To celebrate? I wish I had a big plate of rice and red beans and some roast pork....fresh avocados.....and a drink (cuba libre preferred).
It lasted about 30 minutes. A native Spanish speaker asked me lots of questions designed to assess my proficiency. I was able to discuss at length my experiences in Venezuela and the DR. We talked for almost 10 minutes about the role of missionaries in today's society. We also discussed the elections in the DR and Venezuela. These were the more complicated questions; beyond that I waxed poetic on Maine seasons, my garden, and why I am a teacher.
After waiting anxiously for my results, I found out today that I passed at an advanced mid level, two steps below a Superior (native) level! (I have never taken a formal Spanish class, BTW.)
If anyone on the board needs more information on the test, PM me and I can tell you more. It is a common assessment used in education and government and in many US states it can help with your teaching credential. In fact it is required in Maine to become a "Highly Qualified Teacher", a new-fangled thing related to the No Child Left Behind Act.
Also, if you ever get the chance to host, send, or be an exchange student....it is so worth it....you learn much more than ever could be learned in a classroom.
My tester did warn against using too much slang, so I tried really hard not to lapse into my "street" Spanish although I did say "un chin" a few times and "chevere" many times but thankfully avoided anything that could be followed by "tu madre".
To celebrate? I wish I had a big plate of rice and red beans and some roast pork....fresh avocados.....and a drink (cuba libre preferred).