How do non-OPI final evaluations work?

While many of the languages offered by the Center for World Languages use an Oral Proficiency Interview as a final assessment, there are some languages in which we contract educators in our wider network to conduct evaluations. Typically these evaluators are current or retired professors at other colleges and universities in the United States. The evaluations are similar to OPIs in many ways (and students preparing for an evaluation are encouraged to read through our info about OPIs as well), but there are also some specificities worth being aware of. 

What’s the format of the evaluation?

The evaluation will be in the format of an open-ended 30-minute conversation over video conference. Your evaluator may greet you in the target language and will offer a quick introduction and explanation in English. Your evaluator will be familiar with your syllabus and textbook (and in a few languages, the evaluator will be the author of your textbook), and they'll ask questions that give you the opportunity to show what you learned from the units your course covered this semester. 

Our Irish evaluator said it best: "I'm here to see what you can do, and I'm not interested in what you can't do." Our evaluators listen for your skills, not your deficits. They have significant experience with students across a range of levels and will meet you where you’re at. As educators who have made careers of teaching less-commonly taught languages, our evaluators are excited to talk to students learning those languages and tend to be enthusiastic and supportive. Say as much as you can, even if it’s imperfect, and stay in the target language for the full evaluation.

What will I be asked about?

First and foremost, you’ll be asked to carry on a basic conversation typical of meeting someone for the first time, with culturally appropriate greetings and introductions. You’ll be asked for basic information about yourself (like your name, age, school and studies, hometown, or family members), and the evaluator will ask further questions based on your answers. They won’t be reading from a script or set of pre-determined questions; it will be a (more or less) natural conversation shaped by both of you. Your evaluator will be familiar with the material you covered during the semester and won’t expect you to know things that weren’t on the syllabus. 

In a level I course, you may be asked to list things, like the days of the week, colors, or fruits and vegetables, and you may be asked to count. For example, a Haitian Creole I student was asked, What are the months of the year? What month is it now? Which month comes after November? The specifics of the conversation will vary for each student. 

You may also be asked about cultural context included in your syllabus; for example, a Norwegian II student was asked both what he likes to eat for dinner and what a typical Norwegian household has for dinner. There may also be a role-play activity, similar to what you practice in your conversation session each week.

If you’re enrolled in an Advanced Topics course, your evaluator will be given access to your course syllabus and collaborative outline and will evaluate you both on your mastery of your chosen course material and on your speaking proficiency relative to your course level. 

How will my grade be determined?

Your evaluator will be assessing your performance in five domains: grammar, vocabulary, listening comprehension, conversational fluency, and pronunciation. You'll be given a letter grade in each domain and an overall grade averaging the five domain grades. Your evaluator also has the option of including an (unofficial) ACTFL rating equivalent and written feedback on your grade form; some evaluators provide more robust feedback than others. Evaluators also often give feedback face to face at the end of the evaluation. Feedback included on your grade form will be communicated to you by your course organizer after the end of the semester. 

How should I prepare for the evaluation?

If you participate actively in every conversation session, you’ll be preparing for your evaluation from week one. Take all the opportunities for speaking practice available to you. If you know other students who study or speak your language, connect with them to practice together. Refer to the student list circulated by the Language Center around the start of each semester to find other students to practice with.

If possible, talk to students who have done an evaluation in your language before. Each evaluator has their own approach, so you’ll get valuable insight on what to expect from someone who has experience with your particular evaluator. 

Your final conversation session will be dedicated to cumulative review of the entire semester in preparation for the evaluation. Revisit your notes and flashcards from earlier units and refamiliarize yourself with all the content you covered.