Second Languages and Cultures Education
Language proficiency requirements
Initial licensure and additional licensure candidates in Second Languages and Cultures (SLC) Education
Language proficiency tests are required for all second languages and cultures (SLC) applicants to the following programs:
- the master of education/initial licensure program (M.Ed./ILP)
- the “Alternative Pathway to Initial Licensure” program
- the additional licensure program for world languages
- the additional licensure program for ESL
Nonnative English speakers
Applicants seeking licensure in English as a Second Language (ESL):
Nonnative speakers of English seeking licensure in ESL must take the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) test in English and the 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. Test results must be submitted prior to admission to the program. In addition, candidates must pass the Praxis II: Content Knowledge Test for ESL prior to licensure application. See more details below.
Applicants seeking licensure in a world language:
Nonnative speakers of English seeking world language licensure in their native language (e.g., Spanish, Chinese) must also take the TOEFL with the following minimum scores: 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based) and 80 (Internet-based). Native speakers of French, German and Spanish are required to take the Praxis II: Subject Assessments: Productive Language Skills and Praxis II Subject Assessments: Content Knowledge (see more details below). All applicants must provide evidence that university-level academic coursework has been successfully completed in the language in which licensure is sought or show that they have completed at least two upper-division courses focusing on the development of advanced grammar and composition skills in that language. TOEFL scores and official transcripts must be submitted prior to admission to the program.
Native English speakers
Applicants seeking licensure in English as a Second Language (ESL):
Native speakers of English who are seeking ESL licensure must have studied a language other than English for at least two years in college, four years in high school, or have acquired an equivalent language experience through work or study abroad. In addition, they must pass the Praxis II: Content Knowledge Test for ESL prior to licensure application. See more details below.
Applicants seeking licensure in a world language:
Native speakers of English who are seeking licensure in a world language must demonstrate proficiency in that language. 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 transcript of postsecondary coursework with evidence of at least two advanced language courses in advanced grammar/composition or a related topic and submission of results on language proficiency measures (OPI, Praxis II tests) as described below.
Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI)
Nonnative speakers of English seeking licensure in ESL must demonstrate proficiency in English at the "superior" level on the OPI. Test results should ideally be submitted upon application to the program but must be submitted before student teaching in ESL.
Nonnative speakers of Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian, Polish, Russian, Spanish, or Swedish who are seeking a K-12 license in any of these languages must obtain a score of at least "advanced low" on the OPI. Test results ideally should be submitted upon application to the program but must be submitted before student teaching in the language in which licensure is sought.
Registration
Applicants seeking licensure in Spanish, French, or English may take the OPI test locally with the following official OPI raters:
- Joanne Peltonen (Spanish), 612-624-0862, pelto003@umn.edu
- Maria Luisa Eiffler (Spanish), eiffl002@umn.edu
- Francine Klein (English and French), efmvk@yahoo.com
A check or money order for $60 should be made payable to the interviewer, and the applicant is required to provide a blank 30-minute cassette tape at the time of the interview.
Applicants seeking licensure in languages other than Spanish, French, or English must register for the test through the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).
Because this test is taken via telephone, it must be proctored. The ACTFL Web site details the ways an applicant can arrange for an exam proctor. One option is to coordinate proctoring services with the University of Minnesota University Counseling and Consulting Services (UCCS) Testing Center for a $30 fee. Contact the testing center at 612-624-3510.
Praxis II: Subject Assessments
All candidates seeking Minnesota state licensure in French, German or Spanish and ESL (including native speakers of those languages!) are required to take the Praxis II subject assessments in their respective language. There are two Praxis II subject assessments required: Productive Language Skills (required by the state for French, German, and Spanish) and Language Content Knowledge (required by the SLC program for French, German and Spanish and by the state for ESL).
Registration
For more information on test content and registration, read about the “Praxis Series” at the ETS website.
Productive Language Skills Tests (French, German, Spanish)
Praxis II: Subject Assessments/Productive Language Skills Tests are available for French, German, Spanish. Test codes (last four digits) are listed below:
- 0171—French: Productive Language Skills (required minimum score: 158)
- 0182—German: Productive Language Skills (required minimum score: 179)
- 0192—Spanish: Productive Language Skills (required minimum score: 162)
Each one-hour standardized test consists of 9 questions (6 for spoken language and 3 for written language). Test sections cover presentational speaking and writing. Test results ideally should be submitted upon application to the program but must be submitted before student teaching in the language in which licensure is sought.
Language Content Knowledge Tests (French, German, Spanish, ESL)
Praxis II: Subject Assessments/Language Content Knowledge Tests are available for French, German, Spanish, and ESL. Test codes (last four digits) are listed below:
- 0173—French: Content Knowledge (required minimum score: 170)
- 0181—German: Content Knowledge (required minimum score: 170)
- 0191—Spanish: Content Knowledge (required minimum score: 170)
- 0360—ESL: Content Knowledge (required minimum score: 600)
For French, German, and Spanish:
Each two-hour standardized test consists of 120 multiple-choice questions. Test sections cover interpretive listening and reading, language structure (grammatical accuracy), and cultural perspectives. Test results ideally should be submitted upon application to the program but must be submitted before student teaching in the language in which licensure is sought.
For ESL:
The two-hour standardized test consists of 120 multiple-choice questions (including a 30-minute listening section). Test sections cover analysis of student language production, linguistic theory, teaching methods and techniques, assessment techniques and cultural issues, and professional issues. Test results must be submitted prior to application to the state for the license.
Revised August 2009