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Bulletin Archive

This archived information is dated to the 2010-11 academic year only and may no longer be current.

For currently applicable policies and information, see the current Stanford Bulletin.

Proficiency in Foreign Language Notation

A student who demonstrates levels of achievement equivalent to those expected at the end of the third quarter of the third year of study in a language may be awarded the notation "proficiency in" that language on the official transcript. For further information and details on applying for a Proficiency Notation, see http://language.stanford.edu.

In order for a student to have the proficiency notation appear on the official transcript, the student must:

  1. Inform the Language Center at least two quarters prior to graduation that he/she is requesting such a notation.
  2. Schedule an Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) through the Language Center. Since this is a formal proficiency interview, at least two quarters of lead time are essential for scheduling this interview. The interview will be conducted by a certified OPI tester.
  3. Upon completion of the oral component, schedule a Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) through the Language Center. As an official writing assessment, it must take place no later than one quarter prior to graduation and as soon as possible after the Oral Proficiency Interview. The WPT is administered on campus and rated by a certified WPT rater.
  4. Receive an official rating of 'Advanced Low' on the Foreign Service Institute/American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (FSI/ACTFL) scale of oral and writing proficiency, except in the non-cognate languages which require an 'Intermediate High' rating.

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