--- 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]) ***********************************************