Language Proficiency Exam (one option)
Special Note: The turnaround time to receive exam results for ALL EXAMS, regardless of language, is 4-6 weeks. You will be notified by e-mail when your results are in.
Reminder: Students looking to retake the Language Proficiency Exam must have received the result from their previous exam before scheduling another testing session.
Who should take this examination?
What level of proficiency is expected and how does one prepare?
How does the testing work?
When are the examinations held?
How do I schedule myself for this examination?
Who should take this examination?
- Students seeking to meet the CSUSM Graduation Requirement.
- Students seeking to meet the Global Business Major language requirement AND who have spoken with Professor Gary Oddou about using this exam.
- Students who do NOT need units nor Area C in General Education. (If unit credit and meeting Area C is desired, consider taking a course instead. Go to our coursework page for more information.)
- Students who are proficient in a language other than English. Most languages are accepted. Some common examples are: Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Arabic, Vietnamese, Farsi, Tagalog, and American Sign Language (ASL). If you are unsure if your language will be accepted, please inquire with Lucy Higuera at lhiguera@csusm.edu.
- Students who are proficient in that language. Proficiency is assessed at the 201-level, both in speaking and writing (including pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, spelling, and any accents). If you believe you would place into a 202-level course (4th semester), because you know the material covered in a 201-level course, then you are a good candidate for this exam.
What level of proficiency is expected and how does one prepare?
- The exam is looking for proficiency - not fluency - at the standard CSUSM 201-level. A few examples are: pronunciation, vocabulary, spelling, accent use and placement, major verb tenses, idiomatic expressions, general grammar rules, and common exceptions.
- The exam will ask you to both speak and write. You should therefore know how to pronounce and spell words correctly. A foreigner who speaks no English should be able to understand most of your production.If you were put down in the middle of the country, surrounded by people who only speak that language, would you comfortablly be able to communicate?
- If you are testing in a language taught on campus, you are welcome to come to the LLC to review the 201-level textbook, to ensure that you comfortable with that level. You can also talk to friends who took 201 in that language.
- If you are testing in a language not taught on campus, we may have materials to assist you. For example, we have a Tagalog textbook, an Italian-English dictionary, a Chinese-English dictionary....
- If you are testing in a language that you took in high school or at another college, we suggest reviewing your past course materials closely.
- We highly encourage native speakers to review spelling and accents, since they may not have written as much as they have spoken.
- You must arrange, confirm, and keep appointments with the Language Assessment Coordinator in University Hall 240.
- A notice of 24 hours is required for cancellation and to reschedule. If you do not cancel within 24 hours, it will be at least two months before a reschedule is possible. This is necessary to be fair to all students waiting for examinations.
- You should arrive 10-15 minutes early and be ready to take the test at the scheduled time. If you are late, you will NOT be allowed to take the test.
- You should allow thirty minutes for the oral component and one hour for the written component, for a total of 1.5 hours.
- If you receive a score of "Pass", your student record will be updated and the LOTER entered as "met".
- If you receive a score of "No Pass", you may take the test once more for no fee. You may continue testing as many times as you like, paying every other time. However, you need to have received the results of your previous test before scheduling another testing session.
- Please be aware that, because we are a testing facility, we do not have accommodations for children.
- For students with special needs, please contact John Segoria of Disabled Student Services at (760) 750-4905.
When are the examinations held?
Testing appointments are scheduled on the below dates through the Language Assessment Coordinator, Lucy Higuera at lhiguera@csusm.edu, (760) 750-8191 or University Hall 240.
| Spring 2010 Exam Dates | Payment Deadline |
|---|---|
| Wednesday, Feb. 3rd Thursday, Feb. 4th ASL will be scheduled during the week of February 1st through 4th. |
Payment Deadline for February Test Dates Wednesday, January 27th |
|
Wednesday, March 3rd ASL will be scheduled during the |
Payment Deadline for March Test Dates Wednesday, February 24th |
|
Wednesday, April 7th week of April 5th through 8th. |
Payment Deadline for April Test Dates Wednesday, March 31st |
|
Wednesday, May 5th week of May 3rd through 6th. |
Payment Deadline for May Test Dates Wednesday, April 29st |
How do I schedule myself for this examination?
First, make sure this is indeed how you want to meet the LOTER. Then...
- Note: All students must present a valid Photo ID (e.g. CSUSM Student ID, CA Driver's License, passport, etc.).
- Schedule a test date with Lucy Higuera in the Language Learning Center in University Hall 240, or call (760) 750-8191, or email lhiguera@csusm.edu.
- Pay the examination fee of $49.50 via check or cash at the Language Learning Center. Paperwork and the fee must be completed and paid one week prior to the testing date for which you are scheduled. Failure to pay one week before testing will result in losing your reservation for that testing date.
- The fee is waived for Veterans on GI Bills other than Chapter 31 and for all Active Duty receiving tuition assistance. If this applies to you, state your military status when signing up for the exam and be prepared to show proof.
- You must inform the LLC at least 24 hours in advance if you will not be able to keep your testing appointment. Only by contacting us will you be allowed to reschedule the test for one of the next testing dates.
- NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN FOR MISSED APPOINTMENTS.
- The turnaround time to receive results for ALL EXAMS, regardless of language, is 4-6 weeks. You will be notified by e-mail when your results are in.
