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. Successful candidates tend to have completed the third year or beyond of language study at Stanford and spent considerable time studying abroad in the foreign language.
In order to receive the proficiency notation, the student must complete the following oral and written requirements according to the timetable below. The notation is available only for languages where external assessment is offered through Language Testing International. Successful completion of the oral component is required before proceeding with the writing component.
Two quarters prior to graduation: Application and Oral Component
- Use the online form (link below) to request an official Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI).
- Since this is a formal interview conducted according to national academic and professional standards, at least two weeks of lead time are essential for scheduling.
- To confirm the testing appointment, students must bring a $75 deposit to the Stanford Language Center, which will be returned at the time of the OPI.
- Complete the 30-minute Oral Proficiency Interview as scheduled through the Language Center and conducted by a certified OPI tester. The interview must take place no later than one quarter prior to graduation and be administered on campus.
- Receive an official rating of Advanced Low or higher on the Foreign Service Institute/American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (FSI/ACTFL) scale of oral proficiency, except in the non-cognate languages which require a minimum rating of Intermediate High. Students who do not meet the minimum level for the notation will nonetheless receive an official OPI rating, which carries national recognition of their oral proficiency.
One quarter prior to graduation: Writing Component
- Once approved to continue with the writing component, schedule a Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) through the Language Center. As an official writing assessment, the 90-minute exam must take place no later than one quarter prior to graduation and as soon as possible after the interview. The WPT is administered at the Language Center and is rated by a certified WPT rater.
- Receive an official rating of Advanced Low or higher 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 a minimum rating of Intermediate High. Students who do not meet the minimum levels for the notation will nonetheless receive an official OPI (or OPI and WPT) rating, which carries national recognition of their oral and writing proficiencies.
- Both oral and written components must be completed no later than the quarter preceding the graduating quarter.
Proficiency Notation Timetable
Graduating Spring/Summer: Apply Autumn; interview Autumn/Winter; writing Winter
Graduating Autumn: Apply Winter; interview Winter/Spring; writing Spring
Graduating Winter: Apply Spring; interview Spring/Autumn; writing Autumn
Apply for the Proficiency in Foreign Language Notation here: http://web.stanford.edu/dept/lc/forms/profnotation.fb
Related Pages
Objectives and Curricula
Curricular documents are available for some of the most commonly taught languages at Stanford.
Proficiency Notation
The Proficiency in Foreign Language Notation appears on the official transcripts of students whose levels of achievement are equivalent to those that an excellent student is expected to demonstrate late in the third quarter of the third year of study in that language.
