Everyone who has ever taken a language class in school has most likely been tested in some way for their language knowledge and skills. I can even remember taking proficiency exams while in University. If those exams weren’t nerve-racking enough some students or language learners want to take their language further and take an internationally recognized exam for language proficiency. However, it can be very intimidating to get started. So here are the basics for the exams of some of the most commonly taught languages in the United States:
It is important to note that all of these exams have either virtual options or locations in the US where students can take them. All exams focus on one or more of the aspects of language: reading, listening, speaking, writing, translation, vocabulary/grammar. Some exams may have a minimum age requirement or only test at higher levels, follow the link at the bottom of each paragraph to find out if that is a requirement for you or your students.
Spanish | French | German | Mandarin | Korean | Arabic | Russian | Portuguese
DELE: Diplomas de Espanol como Lengua Extranjera (Spanish)
The DELE Spanish Diplomas are official titles certifying degree of competence and mastery of the Spanish language, granted by Spain’s Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sport. These examination sessions are put on by the Instituto Cervantes, while the Universidad de Salamanca designs the exams and is in charge of the grading and final evaluation of the exams. The DELE has tests for levels ranging from A1 through C2.
For more information, or to sign up click here: https://www.dele.org/
DALF: Diplôme approfondi de langue française (French)
The DALF issues two diplomas or certifications from the Ministry of Education in France. These exams allow the highlighting of French Language skills for personal, scholastic, university, or work purposes. The DALF only offers the testing of two different levels: C1 and C2. Levels C1 and C2 are the most advanced DELF-DALF diplomas. Thus the DALF is divided into 2 independent diplomas each linked to 2 levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). People who have passed the DALF (C1 or C2) are exempt from taking language tests for entrance into French universities. It is important to note, that the DALF is oriented toward an adult audience. However, there is the DELF Prim for children and the DELF junior for teenagers and those taking French in school. There is also a DELF especially targeting the working system, the DELF Pro which is more oriented for a professional purpose.
For more information, or to sign up click here: http://www.delfdalf.fr/dalf-en.html
Goethe (German)
The German language exam is put on by the Goethe Institute around the world, including locations in the United States such as Boston, Chicago, New York, LA, San Fransisco, and Washington. These exams cover the A1 through C2 levels as well as a Student’s Exam (TestDaF, B2-C1 level) and a Professionals Exam (Goethe Test Pro). The Goethe Test Pro does not fulfill any working language requirements for German-speaking countries, but is a valuable way to test one’s German level in preparation for a career with the German language.
For more information, or to sign up click here: https://www.goethe.de/ins/us/en/spr/prf.html
HSK: Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi; 汉语水平考试; pinyin: Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng Kǎoshì (Mandarin)
The Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) is an international standardized test for Chinese language proficiency organized by CTI Co., Ltd. (CTI), a specialized international Chinese language education and testing service company. HSK assesses Chinese learners’ abilities to use Chinese as a second language in their daily, academic, and professional lives through a standardized examination and evaluation with a uniform grading and scoring system. It covers a range of levels starting with level 1 through level 9. This exam not only covers the four common ways of language usage: speaking, reading, writing, and listening, but it also contains a section on translation. HSK is the world’s third-largest language test brand after IELTS and TOEFL. HSK scores have become a requirement to prove Chinese language proficiency for international students to apply for admission, graduation, and scholarship in China. For foreigners looking to work in China, a high HSK score can help demonstrate that proficiency to employers and government officials, and better the chances of obtaining a working visa.
For more information, or to sign up click here: https://www.chinesetest.cn/HSK
TOPIK: 한국어능력시험 (Korean)
The Test of Proficiency in Korean – TOPIK – is a test to measure the Korean language proficiency of non-native speakers in South Korea. Their objectives include: to propagate and set a standard framework for learning Korean for non-native speakers of Korean and overseas Koreans alike and to measure and evaluate their Korean language skills and utilize the results for entrance to Korean Educational institutes and for job-seeking purposes. The TOPIK has many different level exams starting with beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Each test has a different number of questions and sections (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) so be sure to look at all the exam options before signing up!
For more information, or to sign up click here: http://niied.go.kr/user/nd95750.do
ALPT: Arabic Language Proficiency Test (Arabic)
The ALPT is run by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Lanugages (ACTFL) as the Arab Academy’s Arabic Language Proficiency Test (ALPT). It is the global standard for measuring student proficiency levels in Arabic in terms of reliability and validity. There are five fundamental skills that are measured on the exam: Listening Comprehension, Reading, Structure, Writing, and Speaking. The ALPT was developed in 2002 by leading experts in the field of Arabic Language Training, but it is adaptive in nature, allowing participants of all proficiency levels to be accurately assessed. The ALPT is the highest form of Arabic proficiency test online.
For more information, or to sign up click here: https://www.arabacademy.com/alpt/
TORFL: the Test of Russian as a Forgeign Language/Тест по русскому языку как иностранному (Russian)
The TORFL is an in-person and online, contemporary test of the Russian language for foreign citizens compliant with the best European quality standards that is carried out by St Petersburg University. The Test of Russian as a Foreign Language comprises 5 parts examining language competences: writing, vocabulary/grammar, reading, listening, and speaking. The TORFL test assesses foreign citizens’ skills to express various communicative intentions in the writing form using correct words and phrases, to understand different types of written information in Russian, to comprehend information in Russian given aurally, to participate in dialogues and to produce the monologue according to the proposed subject.
This exam has tests for the A1 through C2 levels.
For more information, or to sign up click here: https://www.torflrussian.com/torfl-test
CAPLE: Centro de Avaliação de Português Língua Estrangeira (Portuguese)
The Centre for Evaluation of Portuguese as a Foreign Language exams can be taken by anyone who does not have Portuguese as their mother tongue and wants to prove, for educational, professional, or other purposes, their competence in Portuguese, under the terms recognised by each certificate or diploma. The CAPLE has many different exams for various levels, and each has its own name. These include: ACCESS- Certificate of Access to Portuguese, CIPLE- Initial Certificate in Portuguese as a Foreign Language, DEPLE- Elementary Diploma in Portuguese as a Foreign Language, DIPLE- Intermediate Diploma in Portuguese as a Foreign Language, DAPLE- Advanced Diploma in Portuguese as a Foreign Language, DOUBLE- University Diploma in Portuguese as a Foreign Language, TEJO- Certificate of Competence in Portuguese as a Foreign Language. On the other hand, there are exams offered for school settings such as: CIPLE-e- Initial Certificate of Portuguese as a Foreign Language – school version, DEPLE-e- Elementary Diploma of Portuguese as a Foreign Language – school version, DIPLE-e- Intermediate Diploma in Portuguese as a Foreign Language – school version, ACCESS-e- Certificate of Access to Portuguese – school version. CAPLE’s Portuguese as a foreign language exams are recognized by several national and foreign institutions for professional, social, and educational purposes.
For more information, or to sign up click here: https://caple.letras.ulisboa.pt/pagina/16/reconhecimento-dos-exames