(2) from [log in to unmask] Don't placement tests have to be normed, i.e. the students at the institution take the test at the end of the semester and their scores and grades are compared, so that it can be determined what the right level is for a student entering second semester, second year, etc. That is, if students passing a particular course level achieve a current score, that becomes the cut-off for taking the next course level. This was done here a long time ago when the switch to SAT II was made (in Latin as well as a few other languages). Though SAT II is not a great test at all, it has the advantage that some students will arrive as Freshmen with scores already so they can be placed with no trouble. Judy (3) from [log in to unmask] The standard software for screen reading in English is JAWS ( http://www.freedomscientific.com/products/fs/jaws-product-page.asp). We have it installed on an instructor machine used heavily by a vision-impaired GTA, but it is my understanding that it can be licensed to run only with a USB key ... allowing you install it on every machine in your lab, so that you don't have to set aside a special computer for the student to use. I have never used it with a FL, but the website claims that it includes voice synthesizers for American English, British English, Castilian Spanish, Latin American Spanish, French, French Canadian, German, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, and Finnish. My guess is that there must be some way to toggle between languages. The student may already be familiar with the software, making the transition to a German voice not that big of a deal. Jon (4) from [log in to unmask] Hi Sharon, We have one blind student who uses the lab. We installed JAWS screen reading software (Windows) for her. http://www.freedomscientific.com/products/fs/jaws-product-page.asp It was a single license purchased for her by our Office of Disability Services. We installed it on a single lab computer and labeled that computer "Priority for Visually Impaired". On her initial visit to the lab we met with her so that she would know which computer to use and the rest she did herself. We didn't know anything about the software but it automatically starts up with the OS. Once she got onto the keyboard she was familiar with the key commands to get to the settings and windows she needed, and didn't really need assistance after that. Best, Jose *********************************************** 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]) ***********************************************