Group 3 Foreign Language Proficiencies (Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, & Korean)*

*based on the  “ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines” published by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages in 1986.

Recommended Entry Levels

• Speaking
  (ACTFL: NOVICE LOW)
  You should be able to use isolated words and a few commonly used phrases.
• Listening
  (ACTFL: NOVICE LOW)
  You should be able to understand occasional isolated words including those used in common social conventions.
• Reading
  (ACTFL: NOVICE LOW)
  You should be able to identify isolated words and/or major phrases when strongly supported by the context.
• Writing
  (ACTFL: NOVICE LOW)
  You should be able to form some letters in Arabic, or both copy and produce the basic strokes of Chinese or Japanese characters.

Required Exit Levels

• Speaking
  (ACTFL: NOVICE MID)
  You should be able to use a few isolated words and learned phrases in order to meet simple, elementary needs and express basic courtesies.
• Listening
  (ACTFL: NOVICE MID)
  You should be able to understand some words and phrases from simple questions, statements, common commands and courtesy formulae about topics that refer to basic personal information or the immediate physical setting.
• Reading
  (ACTFL: NOVICE MID)
  You should be able to recognize the symbols of Arabic or a limited number of Japanese or Chinese characters.  You should be able to identify some words or phrases in well-known contexts.
• Writing
  (ACTFL: NOVICE MID)
  You should be able to copy or transcribe familiar words or phrases and reproduce some from memory.

Professional Goals

• Speaking
  (ACTFL: INTERMEDIATE-LOW)
  You should be able to handle successfully a limited number of interactive, task-oriented and social situations.  You should be able to ask and answer questions, initiate and respond to simple statements and maintain restricted face-to-face conversation.  Within these limitations, you should be able to perform such tasks as introducing yourself, ordering a meal, asking directions, and making purchases as well as manage other elementary needs.
• Listening
  (ACTFL: INTERMEDIATE-MID)
  You should be able to understand full sentences using common phrases and vocabulary in face-to-face conversations, short routine telephone calls and simple announcements and reports over the media.  The topics would be primarily basic personal background and needs, social conventions and somewhat more complex tasks such as lodging, transportation and shopping.  Additional content areas include some personal interests and activities and a variety of instructions and directions.
• Reading
  (ACTFL: INTERMEDIATE-MID)
  You should be able to read consistently with understanding simple texts dealing with a variety of basic and social needs as well as topics of personal interest and/or knowledge.  Such texts include short straightforward descriptions of persons, places and things written for a wide audience.
• Writing
  (ACTFL: INTERMEDIATE-LOW)
  You should be able to meet limited practical needs such as writing short messages and postcards or taking down simple notes such as telephone messages.  Your sentences will probably consist of recombinations of learned vocabulary and phrases on familiar topics.