Language Requirements

In addition to proficiency in their native language (L1), students must demonstrate proficiency in two other world languages (L2, L3). Proficiency in speaking the L2 must be at the "Advanced" level or higher, as measured on the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). Speaking proficiency in L3 must be at the "Novice" level or higher, again as measured by ACTFL. For specific information, consult www.actfl.org.

The program advisors will determine whether the students have met this requirement based on these as well as other criteria identified by the SLA/IT faculty. Criteria and documentation for L2 and L3 should be submitted before the student is accepted into the SLA/IT program.

Students whose L1 is other than English may use English as the L2; however, proficiency must be demonstrated on TOEFL examinations prior to admission to candidacy.

Possible Forms of Documentation: L2 Proficiency

• degree in the language or teaching thereof
• teaching certificate in the language
• certificate of intensive language instruction from a recognized institution (US or foreign)
• teaching position at a community college or university
• schooling in which the L2 is the language of instruction over a significant period of time
• evidence of in-country employment requiring functional proficiency in the L2
• standardized language proficiency test results at the "Advanced" level (e.g. via ACTFL's OPI) or higher
• college-level coursework in the L2 at the advanced level or equivalent (i.e. departmental language placement exam)
• TOEFL score of no less than 250 and TSE score of no less than 55 for non-native speakers of English

Possible Forms of Documentation: L3 Proficiency

• any of the above
• reading proficiency
• standardized language proficiency test results at the "Novice" level (e.g. via ACTFL's OPI) or higher
• two semesters of university-level coursework in the L3 at the beginning level or equivalent (i.e. departmental language placement exam)
• Less Commonly Taught (LCT) languages: considered on a case-by-case basis with a minimum expectation of basic conversational ability (or translating ability in the case of extinct languages) as determined by a measure approved by the doctoral program advisors