--- Forwarded Message from Paula Debnar <[log in to unmask]> ---

>Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2009 10:27:44 -0400
>From: Paula Debnar <[log in to unmask]>
>User-Agent: Thunderbird 2.0.0.22 (Macintosh/20090605)
>To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum   
<[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: #9209 language proficiency testing
>References: <[log in to unmask]>
>In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]>

In a recent revision of our language requirement (see URL below) Mount 
Holyoke College  tried to address the issues you described in your post.


http://www.mtholyoke.edu/global/16298.shtml


Paula Debnar
Professor of Classics
Department of Classics and Italian
Mount Holyoke College

LLTI-Editor wrote:
> --- Forwarded Message from "Cobb-Zygadlo, Deanne" <[log in to unmask]> ---
> 
>> From: "Cobb-Zygadlo, Deanne" <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Subject: language proficiency testing
>> Date: Wed, 12 Aug 2009 10:07:45 -0400
> 
> Hi,
> The last posting in the archives on this issue appears to have been  
> from 2006 and so I am hoping that maybe we could revive the discussion.
> 
> One of the issues I have been asked to lend a hand in since joining KU  
> is in determining how best to handle language proficiency testing on  
> campus.  The faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences has a language  
> requirement but there is a growing need to recognize the first, second  
> or third languages of our students who are entering our programs.   
> Traditionally, with languages that are taught on campus, this would  
> involve either a computerized language placement/proficiency test or  
> an interview with a faculty member.  For students who speak a language  
> not taught on campus, the language department has found qualified  
> individuals with expertise in the language to test the students on a  
> one-time basis.  This is time-consuming and can be costly.  And with  
> an increasing number of students coming in with less commonly taught  
> languages, it is becoming more and more cumbersome.
> 
> Does anyone's university make use of educational transcripts?  What  
> are the policies in place for this?  What about languages from areas  
> of the world which may not produce transcripts?
> 
> Does anyone recognize TOEFL scores as evidence of L2?  Under what  
> circumstances?
> 
> We are trying to think of inventive means by which to acknowledge our  
> students prior knowledge through equitable means.
> 
> Thanks,
> Deanne
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -------------------------------------------------------------
> Deanne Cobb-Zygadlo
> Director, Language Resource Center
> Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
> 
> phone:  484-646-5865
> email:   [log in to unmask]
> 
> 
> ***********************************************
> LLTI is a service of IALLT, the International Association for
> Language Learning (http://iallt.org/), and The Consortium for Language
> Teaching
> and Learning (http://www.languageconsortium.org/).
> Join IALLT at http://iallt.org.
> Subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives at
> http://listserv.dartmouth.edu/scripts/wa.exe?A0=LLTI
> Otmar Foelsche, LLTI-Editor ([log in to unmask])
> ***********************************************