N.C. State is setting a new standard for Spanish majors, requiring that all Spanish students take the new proficiency test in order to graduate. Mark Darhower, professor of Spanish Applied Linguistics, introduced the test to an overhauled Spanish language and literature curriculum.  

“The new proficiency test makes both professors and students pay closer attention to oral proficiency development,” Darhower said. 

What makes the new proficiency requirement and test so innovative is that it gives a common measurement of proficiency. The standard for the requirement comes from the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, an organization designed to give a common measurement of proficiency.  Not only is it designed to set a common standard, but also one that yields higher expectations.

“We try to gear our instructions by the third year in the program to focus on advanced and superior levels,” Darhower said. “That’s where students need to get setting.”

For those Spanish majors struggling to meet the requirement or feel they could use the extra help, the University does offer FLS 399, a Spanish Oral Proficiency Workshop.

“It is a one-credit, five-week class designed to help students reach the intermediate high oral proficiency level,” Darhower said. “So they take it if they don’t reach the level to prepare for the testers.”

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The measurement of proficiency can be defined by the following groups:

Novice- Memorize words and expressions

Intermediate- Puts together sentences, is able to describe things, can narrate in the present tense

Advanced- Oral paragraphs by stringing together coherent sentences, can narrate in all tenses, can tailor language to formal vs. informal

Superior- Can construct a coherent argument about abstract topics, academic topics, unfamiliar topics; can put forth theories and opinions and defend them.