Information Sheet 7:

Proficiency Tests in French, German, Italian or Spanish

 

 

(These tests are separate from the OISE/UT's English Language Proficiency Requirement which must be satisfied by all successful applicants as a condition of admission.)

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Who Must Take a Proficiency Test?


Admitted applicants to the one-year teacher education program who have selected French and/or an International Language (German, Italian and Spanish) as teaching subjects, must pass an OISE/UT test in written and oral proficiency in the specific language(s). This testing is done after Offers of Admission have been sent out. As such, the test is not a requirement for admission into OISE/UT, but rather is a requirement for registration in a specific course.

Information regarding test dates will be available after Offers of Admission have been sent.


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What Kind of Tests are They?

The proficiency tests take approximately two hours to complete and tests candidates' ability to speak, understand, read and write in the target language.

The goal of the proficiency test is to ensure that your language skills are good enough to teach either French, German, Italian or Spanish to students of varying abilities in the school system.

These proficiency tests are communicative in nature in that they involve test takers in language tasks similar to those that they might be involved with as French, German, Italian or Spanish teachers in the school system.

The proficiency test will cover all four language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) and, as explained above, will not focus solely on your knowledge of grammar.

For example, test takers might be asked:

In addition to this type of test, you may also be required to complete tasks that test your overall proficiency, e.g. a cloze passage (a text in which every 7th word has been deleted and you have to supply a word/expression that is grammatically correct and meaningful), and manipulation of language structures in context.

 

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How are the Tests Evaluated?

The criteria for evaluation is as follows:

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How Can I Prepare for the Proficiency Test?

If you have not taken courses recently in the target language or do not have the opportunity to use the target language on a regular basis, you might want to consider preparing for the proficiency test by:

1. immersing yourself as much as possible in the target language by:

 


2. reviewing important aspects of the language, including



3. preparing for a cloze passage

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What Does it Take to Pass the Proficiency Test?

You will pass this test if you can demonstrate that you have mastered the specific language at a level high enough to enable you to teach students at any level of proficiency, including beginning and advanced level students. In addition, you must demonstrate proficiency in all skill areas in order to pass the test. It is not sufficient to do well only on one part of the test. The passing grade for each part of the proficiency test is 75%.

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What Happens if I Do Not Pass the Proficiency Test?
If you do not obtain a passing grade on any one of the components of the test, then you will not be able to register in the specific teaching subject course. Your Offer of Admission remains valid, however you will have to select another teaching subject.

You will receive counselling on the various options available to you. This includes the possibility to retake the whole proficiency test once before September.

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