New Testing Resource for Vietnamese Language

For decades, the Language Testing Program only offered centralized placement assistance for French, German, and Spanish. These original Entrance Proficiency Tests (EPTs) remain essential tools for incoming students to start their language journey on the right foot. Since 2022 however, the program has worked to diversify its suite of placement options, in terms of languages, design and flexibility. Placement tools are now available for languages that attract heritage students, including Somali, Hindi and Urdu. Spanish now offers both a traditional EPT and a Beginning Spanish Class Recommendation Tool, which provides students with a non-binding recommendation. All placement tools developed since 2022 are designed in Qualtrics and feature an adaptive structure to provide a custom and efficient experience for students.

The program has just launched its latest placement instrument: the Vietnamese Self-Assessment and Proficiency Tool. This tool offers several unique features, including:

• A non-binding recommendation of courses for students between the local Vietnamese language program and the CourseShare course sequence, which is received from another university
• A test section if the student’s responses indicate higher-level placement to help confirm the level
• A course recommendation based on their self-reported information, as well as their accuracy in responding to grammar and vocabulary questions

The new tool was developed by Carter Griffith, Anna Hubbard and Ky Win Nguyen, with assistance from Amanda Dalola, Khoi Phan, Ly Truong and Ethan Nguyen.