Running head: LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY SELF-ASSESSMENT 1

Language Proficiency Self-Assessment

Rebekah Diser

University of Southern Mississippi

LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY SELF-ASSESSMENT 2

Language Proficiency Self-Assessment

I consider my language ability to be between Advanced Lo and Advanced Mid according

the ACTFL Proficiency Scale. I am able to speak formally and informally about school, work

and home. I can also speak about matters of public interest, yet I do not know some of the

educational jargon to be able to speak about work. I can also communicate in past, present and

future. I can speak at a paragraph length discourse, yet I sometimes make errors. My listening

ability is advanced mid according the ACTFL Proficiency Scale since I can understand authentic

resources, but sometimes I miss a few words here and there. I can listen to new programs and

travel shows. I consider my reading ability at Advanced Mid according the ACTFL Proficiency

Scale. I plan on improving my proficiency level by listening to the news and podcasts in French

and reading novels in French. I also plan on journaling in French.

Even as I plan to take these measures to improve my language abilities, I will never be

finished learning French because languages change over time. New words are coined as new

inventions are invented and new concepts are being discovered.

There will always be more to learn. I would like to go and study in France again. Native

speakers understand most of what I say. Sometimes there will a word that I do not say the way a

native speaker does.

I would like to attend more immersion events. The immersion dinner at NTPRS was a lot

of fun and it was good for my language abilities. One aspect of communication that ACTFL has

not created proficiency levels for in intercultural competence. I am not sure how it would be

measured, but it is extremely important to communicating effectively.

I can continue to read articles in the French Review since they are often in French. I can

watch the French movies. Both of these ideas may increase my intercultural competence. If I
LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY SELF-ASSESSMENT 3

am going to teach my students the importance of intercultural competence, I must first study it

myself.

I can sharpen my French skills by connecting with other French teachers. There may be

fewer opportunities for foreign language teachers to use their skills if they do not live in an area

with a large number of native speakers. It is important to make opportunities for language

growth.

The MATL helped me grow in my language skills. I enjoyed the chats as well as the

readings. One of my classes used childrens literature as the subject matter. The readings were

enjoyable and I learned about the culture of the places where the books took place. Continuing

to read novels will assist me as I continue to develop my intercultural competence. I have come

a long way from where I was when I started speaking French, yet there is still so much more to

learn. I look forward to the adventure. I would like to go and study in France on day.

This immersive experience will help my language skills grow. I want to take my family

with me. It will be so much to show my kids France. I may not even notice how much I am not

learning when we go.