New Korean and Somali Proficiency Tests

Language Proficiency Exams (LPEs) are now available for most modern languages taught at the University of Minnesota, as the Korean and Somali tests are officially approved. The LPE is a four-part test that includes reading, listening, writing and speaking sections. Passing this test is one method of completing the CLA second language requirement.

The Korean LPE highlights Korean culture and daily life. Several items in the listening test use audio from modern Korean films showing natural and interesting interactions between native speakers. The Somali LPE is set locally in the Twin Cities and explores the lives of immigrants integrating with the larger community as they share their language and culture.

The two exams were developed over several years. The development teams include:

Korean: Hangtae Cho, Yunseong Cheong, Saena Ryu and Bryce Johnson

Somali: Said Ahmed, Abdulkarim Maalin and Ahmed Yosuf

Development was coordinated by Gabriela Sweet, Andie Wang and Anna Olivero-Agney. Many other instructors, students, staff and community members assisted in the development as it moved from conception through completion.

Approved LPEs are now available for the following languages: Arabic, Chinese, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Hebrew, Hmong, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish and Swedish.

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