Group 2 Foreign Language Proficiencies (Russian and all other languages not included in Groups 1 and 3)*

*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 Cyrillic.

Required Exit Levels

• Speaking
  (ACTFL: NOVICE HIGH)
  You should be able to satisfy partially the requirements of basic communicative exchanges by relying heavily on learned phrases dealing mostly with basic objects, places and most common kinship terms.  Occasionally you will be able to expand these learned phrases through simply recombining their elements.  You should be able to ask questions or make statements involving learned material.
• Listening
  (ACTFL: NOVICE HIGH)
  You should be able to understand short, learned phrases and some sentences, particularly where the context strongly supports understanding and speech is clearly audible.  You should be able to comprehend words and phrases from simple questions, statements, common commands and courtesy formulae.
• Reading
  (ACTFL: NOVICE HIGH)
  You should have sufficient control of the writing system to interpret written language in areas of practical need.  Where you have learned the vocabulary, you should be able to read for instructional and directional purposes standardized messages, phrases and expressions, such as some items on menus, schedules, timetables, maps and signs.
• Writing
  (ACTFL: NOVICE HIGH)
  You should be able to write simple fixed expressions and limited memorized material and some recombinations of this material.  You should be able to supply information on simple forms and documents.  You should be able to write names, numbers, dates, your nationality, and other simple autobiographical information as well as some short phrases and simple lists.  You should be able to write all the Cyrillic symbols.

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 and 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.