Validation for World Language

The following policies became effective December 17, 2021.

Some students at OSU have a world language requirement of course work or proficiency through the third language course (1103) or equivalent. Speakers of languages other than English have the following options for fulfilling the world language requirement depending on whether they are a native speaker or a heritage speaker. Read the descriptions below to identify which group you belong to.  Note: You may only choose one option.

Native speakers

Native speakers of a language can qualify for world language validation. Validation of the world language means no credit is awarded, but the language requirement is waived. You are considered a NATIVE speaker if…

  1. You have permanent residency OUTSIDE of the U.S and NOT in an English-speaking country (Australia, Belize, British Caribbean, British West Indies, Canada [except Quebec], England, Guyana, Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Scotland, Wales) AND/OR you took the TOEFL or ESL test. You are eligible for language validation in your native language.  You will fulfill your world language requirement by following one of the options below:
  • Talk to your academic advisor to have your world language validated based on your records (for example: TOEFL or ESL score, etc.)
  • For languages not offered at OSU for which you do not have academic records (for example: TOEFL or ESL score, etc.), you can be validated by taking an ACTFL OPI (oral proficiency interview). Some languages also require a WPT (writing proficiency test). You may find that list of languages here (Follow the OPI and WPT links). You will NOT be awarded EM credit for these languages. There is a fee involved for this option. See below for directions on ACTFL testing validation.
  • If your native language is not offered through OSU placement testing or ACTFL, and you are not able to validate through records (for example: TOEFL or ESL score, etc.), please contact the CLLC. We cannot guarantee validation.

 

 

Heritage speakers

You are considered a HERITAGE speaker if...

  1. You have permanent residency IN the U.S. or another English-speaking country (Australia, Belize, British Caribbean, British West Indies, Canada {except Quebec}, England, Guyana, Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Scotland, Wales) and have completed at least 3 years of high school in the U.S. or other English-speaking country above*. You have the following two options below:

                    A.  Language Taught at OSU

You may take a world language placement test offered by the CLLC or by contacting one of the language departments. Courses through or beyond 1103, must be completed or placed out of for the language requirement to be complete.

*Effective August 22, 2023, Students do not receive EM credit based on their placement test scores. Their placement test indicates what level language course they can take, but it is not credit-bearing. Placement tests can still be used to fulfill the GE requirement, for example if a student places out of 1103 they have fulfilled their world language GE requirement.

 Please visit Placement Testing

                   B. Language NOT Taught at OSU

You can be validated by taking an ACTFL OPI (oral proficiency interview). Some languages also require a WPT (writing proficiency test).  If your language includes a WPT test, it is required that you take it as well.  You may find that list of languages here (Click on OPI AND WPT links). You will NOT be awarded EM credit for these languages. Though you will not receive credit, you will still fulfill your world language requirement if you receive the requisite score as noted in the ACTFL information below. There is a fee involved for this option. See below for directions on ACTFL testing validation.

*You may also fit a broader definition of a heritage speaker (example: a Hindi heritage speaker with permanent residency in France). You may reach out to the individual departments for details.

ACTFL Testing Validation 

You will need to purchase an ACTFL test, and you will need to sign up for a proctoring session through OSU. You may apply for reimbursement through our ACTFL LTI Exam Scholarship below (scholarship funds depending on availability, see below).

The testing directions are as follows:

To purchase the ACTFL test, you will need to:

  1. Go to https://www.languagetesting.com/
  2. Select the language you would like to test out of
  3. Select the Student Test option that is titled "Programs with ACTFL Requirements"
  4. Choose "The Ohio State University" as the institution
  5. Choose preferred test times that are in line with our Testing Center's availability. We are open Monday-Thursday 9am to 4pm, and Friday 11:00am to 3:00pm.

To sign up for an OSU proctored session you must:

  1. Go to https://www2.registerblast.com/theosu/Exam/List
  2. Select "ACTFL - Language Testing" for your Group
  3. Select the correct option for your Exam
  4. Select the Date for your ACTFL exam (We manually adjust the time, so pick whichever Time option)
  5. Follow remaining prompts

For your exam to count towards validation, you must take it in the Testing Center at The Ohio State University.  If this exam is proctored by someone other than the Testing Center, it will not count for validation.  

ACTFL LTI Scholarship Form: HERE

If you have taken the ACTFL-LTI test to show proficiency of a language not offered at OSU, you may be eligible for reimbursement through our scholarship. 

Please note the following:

  • The CLLC will have to check with the testing center to confirm your attendance at the proctored session when taking the exam.
  • The CLLC will also check with Student Financial Aid to check your eligibility.
  • There are limited funds, and they will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis.
  • NO MORE FUNDS THROUGH SUMMER 2023. 
  • THE SCHOLARSHIP FORM WILL BE AVAILABLE STARTING AUGUST 22, 2023:
    You may apply for a back-dated reimbursement after the start of the autumn 2023 semester. We recommend saving screenshots to include with the scholarship form for the following 3 things:
    • Payment confirmation (including the cost of the test)
    • Appointment with the OSU Testing Center (with date and time)
    • After test completion, your score.

These are the only factors that will influence the scholarship. The scholarship will be distributed at the end of each semester during which it is rewarded (i.e., you may test in the summer but receive funds in the fall).

You will be notified if you are a recipient via email to your OSU email at the end of the semester. If you need financial help immediately to cover the cost of the test, please contact cllc@osu.edu, and we will try to make accommodations. Otherwise, please expect a delay in reimbursement.

Language testing results are in SIS (Student Information System) under prior education and tests along with a degree audit. Students receive both a test score and a letter score. “LTI” is the oral exam, while “LTI WPT” is the written exam.

See the rubric below for validation tests. For validation tests that require both a written and oral component, testers must receive at least an intermediate mid (50)* for validation. For validation tests that require only an oral component, testers must score at least an advanced low (70)** for validation.

SIS Score

ACTFL result

100

S = Superior

90

AH = Advanced High

80

AM = Advanced Mid

70**

AL = Advanced Low 

60

IH = Intermediate High

50*

IM = Intermediate Mid

40

IL = Intermediate Low

30

NH = Novice High

20

NM = Novice Mid

10

NL = Novice Low