OPI Assessment Workshop
This workshop introduces the ACTFL rating scale, the structure of the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and techniques of administering and rating the OPI. This workshop is appropriate for educators pursuing Full OPI Tester Certification (Novice Low – Superior).
Hybrid Delivery
The format of the workshop is a hybrid of asynchronous course work on six modules (approximately 14-20 hours) via our Learning Management System and synchronous discussion sessions with facilitators (approximately 13 hours).
With this online format, participants will work asynchronously on the modules at their own pace and will receive feedback from facilitators with a live 90-minute discussion session halfway through the coursework and at the end of the coursework. The last portion of the workshop includes the practice interviews with feedback and discussion from the facilitator and other participants. This workshop includes 10 interviews which the participants conduct with guidance from the facilitator; the hosting institution will recruit and schedule all sample and exemplar interviews. The workshop also includes an exemplar interview conducted by the facilitator. See our sample schedule below.
Audience: Primarily postsecondary educators pursuing Full OPI Tester Certification (Novice - Superior)*
Maximum Participants per workshop cohort: 10
Language of Focus: Target Language or English (to accommodate a mixed-language participant group) **
Estimated Total Time Commitment: 27 – 33 hours
Resources: Digital copies of the workshop materials are included.
*Can be adapted for K-12
**All on-demand online module materials are in English
Sample Schedule
Week 1: Complete Modules 1, 2 & 3 (7-10 hours of online coursework)
- Module 1: Intro to course
- Module 2: Proficiency, the OPI, the Rating Scale and Assessment Criteria
- Module 3: The Sublevels, OPI Structure and Elicitation
- 90-minute videoconferencing session with your facilitator at the end of the week or beginning of next week
Week 2: Complete Modules 4 & 5 (6-8 hours of online coursework)
- Module 4: Applications and Implications
- Module 5: Additional Preparation for OPI Testing
- 90-minute videoconferencing session with your facilitator at the end of the week or beginning of the next week
Week 3: Videoconferencing Interview Sessions and Module 6 (10 interviews, 1 exemplar interview from facilitator)
- Monday: 4.5 hours (Opening discussion, Exemplar Interview and Interviews 1-3)
- Tuesday: 4.5 hours (Opening discussion, Interviews 4-7)
- Wednesday: 4 hours (Opening discussion, Interviews 8-10, Closing discussion)
- Module 6: Certification
- Summative Comprehension Check
- Workshop Evaluation Survey
Please keep in mind that the schedule above is a sample. You can design your schedule with ACTFL and your facilitator geared to your availability and needs, though we do not recommend that the total workshop exceed 4-5 weeks. We do recommend that the interview sessions be completed within one week.
Synchronous Delivery
This fully synchronous workshop on Zoom corresponds with the 4-day in-person OPI Assessment Workshop and introduces the ACTFL rating scale, the structure of the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and techniques of administering and rating the OPI, including its applications in the language classroom. Participants observe and conduct live practice interviews across all proficiency levels (Novice through Superior). See our sample schedule below.
Audience: Primarily postsecondary educators pursuing Full OPI Tester Certification (Novice - Superior)*
Maximum Participants per workshop cohort: 10
Language of Focus: Target Language or English (to accommodate a mixed-language participant group)**
Estimated Total Time Commitment: 32.5 hours (including breaks)
Resources: Digital copies of the workshop materials are included
*Can be adapted for K-12
**All workshop materials and slides are in English
Sample Schedule
Five consecutive days, synchronous via web conferencing (such as Zoom), 5.5 instructional hours each day
Day 1: 9:00 a.m, – 3:30 p.m. (1 hour of breaks for lunch, screen/brain breaks)
• Content instruction, activities, discussion
Day 2: 9:00 a.m, – 3:30 p.m. (1 hour of breaks)
• Content instruction, activities, discussion
Day 3: 9:00 a.m, – 3:30 p.m. (1 hour of breaks)
• Content instruction, activities, discussion
Day 4: 9:00 a.m, – 3:30 p.m. (1 hour of breaks)
• Interview sessions, activities, discussion
Day 5: 9:00 a.m, – 3:30 p.m. (1 hour of breaks)
• Interview sessions, activities, discussion
Please keep in mind that the schedule above is a sample. You can design your schedule with ACTFL and your facilitator geared to your availability and needs, though we do not recommend that the schedule be spread over more than two consecutive weeks.
In-Person Delivery*
This 4-day in-person OPI Assessment Workshop introduces the ACTFL rating scale, the structure of the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and techniques of administering and rating the OPI, including its applications in the language classroom. Participants observe and conduct live practice interviews across all proficiency levels (Novice through Superior).
*This option is subject to facilitator willingness to travel as well as health conditions. ACTFL reserves the right to convert an in-person workshop to virtual delivery based on any health and safety concerns.
Audience: Primarily postsecondary educators pursuing Full OPI Tester Certification (Novice - Superior)*
Maximum Participants per workshop cohort: 10
Language of Focus: Target Language or English (to accommodate a mixed-language participant group)**
Estimated Total Time Commitment: 33.5 hours (including breaks)
Resources: Digital copies of the workshop materials are included
Please see our detailed agenda here.
*Can be adapted for K-12
**All workshop materials and slides are in English
