Hindi and Urdu Proficiency and Placement tests are available onsite on NYU-NYC campus and online for students studying abroad and during Covid-related restrictions. The Bangla Proficiency test is currently under development.
In order to fulfill the CAS Foreign Language Requirement the student needs to demonstrate Intermediate Mid or higher level of proficiency in their literacy-based skills, reading and writing, as well as their aural skills, speaking and listening. If student performance in all skills is below the required level, students are advised how to proceed and which class or section they need to register for in the three year continuum at MEIS.
Students with high proficiency can choose to join an advanced class as an elective, in which they improve further their literacy skills by reading articles and short stories, by writing concept maps, emails, blogs, etc.; they also enrich their aural language skills by exploring news videos and debating about global socio-economic issues and by analyzing films and literature (advanced module samples).
Examination:
The test is conducted twice each semester 12:30-2:00 pm. Due to the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) the exam is administered online when classes are online. During face-to-face classes the exam is conducted on campus at 53 Washington Square South, King Juan Carlos Center, Room 506 (W5 in elevator).
Next examination dates at 2:30-3:30pm:
- January 28, 2025
- April 29, 2025
- September 16, 2025
- December 2, 2025
For inquiries about the exam and for registration/confirmation one week prior to the exam, please contact Prof. Rajni Bhargava, rb154@nyu.edu.
Description:
Part 1. The testee participates in a short oral interview (ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview). It is a valid and reliable test that measures how well a person communicates in language. The procedure is standardized in order to assess global speaking ability, measuring language production holistically by determining patterns of strengths and weaknesses. Through a series of personalized questions a sample of speech is elicited and rated against the proficiency levels described in the ACTFL ProficiencyGuidelines 2012 – Speaking (http://www.languagetesting.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/ACTFLProficiencyGuidelines-2012-Speaking.pdf).
Part 2. (90 min.) To assess the student’s literacy-based skills a set of authentic texts and excerpts is used to prompt short answers demonstrating comprehension and short essays (75-100 words) expressing opinion, argument and/or hypothetical thinking. No use of references or other resources is allowed.
Assessment Guidelines: Short essay answers are assessed based on the following criteria:
A. Purpose/Task (Satisfies the task; Connects ideas to task/purpose; Exhibits a logical and coherent sequence of ideas)
B. Accuracy (Exhibits control of language structures, including subject/verb agreement; ergativity agreement; noun/adjective agreement; correct word order; spelling)
C. Vocabulary (Incorporates a range of vocabulary which expands the topic of the statement/question to task, including nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs as appropriate to task; Uses relevant and accurate words)
D. Word Count (Uses 75 or more comprehensible words in the target language that contribute to the development of the task)
Online Examination (available during Covid-19-related remote instruction)
For NYU students the online test is conducted on a video chat platform (Zoom) and through synchronous communication.
1. During a Zoom session, the testee participates in short oral interview (ACTFL OPI). It is a valid and reliable test that measures how well a person communicates in language. The procedure is standardized in order to assess global speaking ability and measure language production holistically by determining patterns of strengths and weaknesses. Through a series of personalized questions a sample of speech is elicited and rated against the proficiency levels described in ACTFLProficiencyGuidelines 2012 – Speaking at: (http://www.languagetesting.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/ACTFLProficiencyGuidelines-2012-Speaking.pdf).
2. After the interview the tester sends an email to the testee with the reading and writing assignment (see above exam details).
3. The student either prints it out or if no printer is available in that location, the testee reads from the computer screen and writes the answers on a piece of paper. The student scans or takes photo shots of the written work and attaches them to an email to the tester. If student can type in Hindi or Urdu, a google doc is used.
4. Instructor proctors the exam via the video chat platform at all times and disconnects when all procedures are completed.
Note: The testee is on video camera at all times. Students need to make sure that their computer is power-charged and with a working video camera, and that phone or other camera is also working if typing in Hindi and Urdu is not an option.