Suggestions for Achieving Success in Language Proficiency

Overview

Although the International Plan provides for many alternative ways to complete the program and achieve success, the guidelines below are recommended as one of the best ways to accomplish the goal of language proficiency for students on the foreign language tract. You may estimate how you will score on the required proficiency test based on the sequence of activities you complete for the International Plan by viewing this chart.
All students completing the International Plan with the foreign language option must demonstrate a designated minimum proficiency level in one foreign language. Oral Proficiency Interviews will be conducted via phone with qualified professional testers from the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). The tests are objective and standardized. Costs ($140 per test) will be paid by the International Plan (School of Modern Languages). Students may fill out an application form to schedule the test when returning from abroad. For more information on the test, see FAQ.

Here are some tips to make sure your language skills become proficient enough to study and work abroad, and then to pass the ACTFL test: 

1. I am choosing a common European language (French, German, Spanish): I need to achieve a minimum of “Intermediate High” on the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview before graduation.
   
   1. Complete two years or equivalent of college level language study (AP 4-5 from high school will also suffice, but continue class work in your language).
   2. Participate in the LBAT summer immersion program (Language for Business and Technology). Note that all students who have completed an LBAT program have succeeded at foreign universities. The LBAT counts towards your time abroad. A second option would be to take intensive language study in the host country prior to the international experience – some universities outside the U.S. offer these intensive programs, and so do some private language schools.
      
   3. Complete one or more of the following:
      
      1. One full-time semester at a foreign university  ( note that courses you complete in your major field in the host country language will also help develop your ability with the technical language of your field)
         
      2. An internship abroad
      3. A supervised research project conducted abroad
      4. A second full-time semester at a foreign university
2. I am choosing an Asian, Arabic or East European language (Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian):
1. I need to achieve a minimum of “Intermediate Mid” on the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview.
   
2. Complete two years or equivalent of college level language study (AP 4-5 will also suffice, but continue class work in your language).
   
3. Participate in the LBAT summer immersion program (Language for Business and Technology).
   
3. I am a heritage speaker with good knowledge of my parents’ native language: I need to achieve a minimum of “Advanced” on the ACTFL test. Advisors will place you in the appropriate language class level to improve your skills.

1. If you have excellent skills you may ask your language instructor for an informal evaluation to see if you are ready to work and study in the country of your choice using your heritage language. If the instructor determines that your language skills are advanced enough, you may opt to complete two internships abroad and skip the academic parts listed above.
   
2. If you came to the US from another country, and completed high school in the US and/or have a green card or US citizenship, you may qualify for completing requirements for the IP in the country of your origin. In most cases you will be expected to achieve a minimum of Advanced on the ACTFL test.
   
3. If you are a heritage speaker beginning with minimal knowledge of the language, you will follow the same guidelines above for 1 and 2. 
   
1. I want to qualify for the IP with a language not taught at Georgia Tech:
   
   1. You may acquire proficiency through accredited programs from other universities, or by other study abroad programs, by following similar procedures as the ones described above.
      
   2. You should petition the IP Committee and decisions will be made on a case-by-case approach.
      
   3. Note that if you are a foreign national with native speaker abilities, the IP requires that you complete your foreign experience somewhere other than in your home country.
      
   4. All Students planning to study and/or work abroad should establish contact with instructors and advisors in the language to be used for the IP.
      
      1. Ask your instructor for an evaluation of your language skill level
         
      2. Ask your instructor to evaluate what you should still do before going abroad
         
      3. Your instructor should be able to estimate your future language level after completing more semesters or the LBAT, or a foreign university language program