Modern Languages PROFICIENCY EXAMS
It is time to start thinking about scheduling your required Proficiency Assessments. In case you are unaware, you will need to take five assessments. They are as follows:
1. Reading
2. Listening
3. Speaking
4. Writing
5. Cultural Competency
PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOU ARE A MAY GRADUATE, YOU MUST TAKE THESE ASSESSMENTS BY MAY 1, 2020 TO PROCESS YOUR RESULTS AND RECEIVE YOUR DIPLOMA ON TIME.
APPOINTMENTS FOR SENIOR ASSESSMENT TESTING WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE DURING FINALS WEEK, SO PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY.
You MUST take all five assessments to graduate, but you only need to pass three of them.
How to schedule your Reading, Listening, and Cultural Competency Assessments:
You have been added to the Modern Languages Organization Blackboard site. You may take the Reading, Listening, and Cultural Competency Assessments at your convenience. Each exam consists of multiple-choice questions and each one has a time limit of 50 minutes. These assessments will be proctored using HonorLock to maintain exam integrity.
When you have finished all three assessments, email Leslie Smith to alert her that these assessments have been completed.
How to schedule your Speaking Assessment (OPIc):
Contact Alyssa Farney via email (farney-a@mssu.edu) AT LEAST 48 hours in advance of your selected date. Drop-ins are not permitted. The OPIc will be proctored in the Language Lab (WH 343) from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
You should allow one hour for this assessment.
Note: The only Senior Assessment that has a fee is the OPIc (the Speaking Assessment) since it is a third-party assessment and is rated by a nationally recognized organization. The department pays for half and you pay for half. You need to pay your portion of the fee ($35) in the Bursar’s Office, and you must bring your receipt with you to your scheduled appointment.
How to submit your Writing Sample for evaluation:
For the Writing Assessment you need to submit your best original writing sample that uses multiple time frames (past, present, future) and is at least two pages in length and/or around 500 words.
Email your document to Professor Holt or to Dr. Liso respectively for evaluation. When you email your writing sample, cc Leslie Smith on the email so she has a record of your submission.
You do not have to write a new paper. Instead, you may submit a paper written in a previous upper-division class that you submitted for a grade and/or for feedback. You may also revise the paper prior to submitting it for as your Senior Assessment sample if you choose.
For more information on these assessments visit our homepage at http://www.mssu.edu/academics/arts-sciences/modern-languages/department-exams.php#culteralcompentency. Note that there is a study guide for the Culture Competency Assessment that students have reported as being useful. The other four assessments do not require any preparation or studying as they are indicative of your overall skill set and not of any particular content or curriculum.
Leslie Smith
Assistant Professor, Spanish
Modern Languages Senior Assessment Coordinator
Missouri Southern State University
1. Reading
2. Listening
3. Speaking
4. Writing
5. Cultural Competency
PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOU ARE A MAY GRADUATE, YOU MUST TAKE THESE ASSESSMENTS BY MAY 1, 2020 TO PROCESS YOUR RESULTS AND RECEIVE YOUR DIPLOMA ON TIME.
APPOINTMENTS FOR SENIOR ASSESSMENT TESTING WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE DURING FINALS WEEK, SO PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY.
You MUST take all five assessments to graduate, but you only need to pass three of them.
- If you are within two semesters of graduation OR you are finished taking your language classes, it is highly recommended that you begin this process now.
- If you have more than two semesters left before graduation, you can wait to take them until later.
How to schedule your Reading, Listening, and Cultural Competency Assessments:
You have been added to the Modern Languages Organization Blackboard site. You may take the Reading, Listening, and Cultural Competency Assessments at your convenience. Each exam consists of multiple-choice questions and each one has a time limit of 50 minutes. These assessments will be proctored using HonorLock to maintain exam integrity.
When you have finished all three assessments, email Leslie Smith to alert her that these assessments have been completed.
How to schedule your Speaking Assessment (OPIc):
Contact Alyssa Farney via email (farney-a@mssu.edu) AT LEAST 48 hours in advance of your selected date. Drop-ins are not permitted. The OPIc will be proctored in the Language Lab (WH 343) from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
You should allow one hour for this assessment.
Note: The only Senior Assessment that has a fee is the OPIc (the Speaking Assessment) since it is a third-party assessment and is rated by a nationally recognized organization. The department pays for half and you pay for half. You need to pay your portion of the fee ($35) in the Bursar’s Office, and you must bring your receipt with you to your scheduled appointment.
How to submit your Writing Sample for evaluation:
For the Writing Assessment you need to submit your best original writing sample that uses multiple time frames (past, present, future) and is at least two pages in length and/or around 500 words.
Email your document to Professor Holt or to Dr. Liso respectively for evaluation. When you email your writing sample, cc Leslie Smith on the email so she has a record of your submission.
You do not have to write a new paper. Instead, you may submit a paper written in a previous upper-division class that you submitted for a grade and/or for feedback. You may also revise the paper prior to submitting it for as your Senior Assessment sample if you choose.
For more information on these assessments visit our homepage at http://www.mssu.edu/academics/arts-sciences/modern-languages/department-exams.php#culteralcompentency. Note that there is a study guide for the Culture Competency Assessment that students have reported as being useful. The other four assessments do not require any preparation or studying as they are indicative of your overall skill set and not of any particular content or curriculum.
Leslie Smith
Assistant Professor, Spanish
Modern Languages Senior Assessment Coordinator
Missouri Southern State University
GRADUATION INSTRUCTIONS