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Program completion details

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Language proficiency requirements

M.Ed./initial licensure in second languages and cultures (SLC) education

All applicants to the master of education/initial licensure program (M.Ed./ILP) in second languages and cultures (SLC) must meet language proficiency requirements. Applicants must complete the tests before admission to the program. Native and nonnative speakers of the English language must meet two separate sets of criteria, as described below:

Nonnative English speakers
Nonnative speakers of English seeking ESL or world language licensure must take the OPI and TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). The following minimum TOEFL scores are required—600 (paper-based), 250 (computer-based), or 100 (Internet-based). Minimum OPI score requirements are described below. Those seeking world language licensure in their native language (e.g., Spanish, Japanese) are not required to demonstrate proficiency in that language through tests or other measures.

Native English speakers
Native speakers of English who are seeking English as a Second Language (ESL) licensure must have studied a foreign language for at least two years in college, four years in high school, or have acquired an equivalent language experience through work or study abroad. Native speakers of English who are seeking world languages and cultures licensure must demonstrate proficiency in the language for which they seek licensure. The following licensure options are available: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese,
Latin, Norwegian, Ojibwe, Polish, Russian, Spanish, and Swedish. Candidates must have advanced proficiency in the language and an understanding of the formal aspects of the language, such as grammar and writing. They also must have familiarity with the cultures of speakers of the language. Candidates demonstrate this knowledge through a combination of advanced coursework in the language and by taking tests. Requirements include:

Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI)

The Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) tests Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Norwegian, Ojibwe, Polish, Russian, Spanish, or Swedish on functional speaking ability in the respective languages. Nonnative English-speaking students are tested on English functional speaking ability. Applicants must achieve a score of "advanced low" to be considered for the licensure program. Nonnative speakers of English who wish to seek licensure in ESL (perhaps in addition to a world language) must demonstrate proficiency in English at the "superior" level.

Registration
The applicant must schedule the OPI by calling the appropriate trained rater. For more information about trained raters for other world languages, contact an adviser.

The OPI costs $50. The check or money order should be made payable to the interviewer. The applicant is required to provide a blank 30-minute cassette tape at his or her interview.

Praxis II: Subject Assessments/Language Content Knowledge Tests

Praxis II: Subject Assessments/Language Content Knowledge Tests are available for French, German, Spanish, and ESL. Session/test codes are listed below:

Each two-hour standardized test consists of 120 multiple-choice questions. Each test costs $75. For French, German, and Spanish, test sections cover interpretive listening and reading, language structure (grammatical accuracy), and cultural perspectives.

Registration
For more information on test content and registration, visit the ETS Web site.

Note: Candidates for French, German, and Spanish licensure must take this test in addition to the separate Praxis II: Subject Assessments/Productive Language Skills Tests, which are required for Minnesota licensure completion.

Revised June 2006