Proficiency Exams
Undergraduate SFS Proficiency Exam Guidelines
Note to SFS students: Foreign Language programs at Georgetown require formal language study (or equivalent) through at least the Advanced II - or the equivalent course as defined by the appropriate language department - as precondition for signing up for the SFS proficiency exam.
While the criteria listed below reflect a common set of standards for FLL departments, please consult early in your program of study with each department for specific reading assignments, exam format, and additional assessment criteria.
Criteria For Passing the SFS Proficiency Exam
(approved by all FLL chairs, May 2009)
- READING COMPREHENSION: Student can discuss the prominent ideas or elements of reading selection; might not grasp the emotional thrust of it.
- LISTENING COMPREHENSION: Understands well at slightly slower-than-normal speed.
- GRAMMAR & WORD ORDER: Meaning only occasionally obscured by grammatical and/or word errors.
- VOCABULARY: May sometimes use inappropriate terms and/or round-about language because of inadequate vocabulary.
- PRONOUNCIATION: Understandable; may speak with a definite “foreign accent” which might lead to minor misunderstanding & need for repetition.
- FLUENCY: Rarely hesitant; always able to sustain conversation at least through circumlocutions.
- SFS CONTENT: Can answer most questions fully; may have some gaps in content background.
To take the SFS Proficiency Exam
The SFS Proficiency Exam is offered once a semester. Once the date is established, it will be posted on the website calendar and on the bulletin board in 307 ICC. To sign up for a time slot, either come to the front desk in 307 ICC or contact the department administrator at ler37@georgetown.edu.
Other Proficiency Exam Guidelines
Various graduate programs require language proficiency exams. Please contact your Director of Graduate Studies in order to ascertain which type of exam your program requires. Graduate exams are generally given the same day as the undergraduate SFS exam and the scheduling process is the same. Each student will need to bring the appropriate forms from his/her department.
|
