ACTFL offers several options for certification workshops. Scheduled virtual OPI and MOPI workshops are typically offered twice a year, in January-February and June-July, and are open to individual registration. Additionally, institutions and groups may host an ACTFL workshop as the first step toward OPI Tester Certification.

These intensive, multi-day OPI and Modified OPI Assessment Workshops are available in several delivery formats to meet the needs of participants in a variety of contexts, with the OPI Assessment Workshop also available in Spanish. For the Spanish OPI Assessment Workshop, all materials, modules, and facilitation are provided in Spanish.

Detailed schedules and registration information are posted each November and April. ACTFL offers several English/Mixed Languages cohorts, with additional language-specific cohorts available based on enrollment. Please contact plc@actfl.org for more information.

Workshop Agenda In Person or Virtual Synchronous OPI Assessment

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Scheduled Workshops

These workshops are available for individual registration.

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Which OPI Workshop is Right for Me?

The OPI and MOPI workshops are very similar. Consider these factors when choosing the right workshop for you:

All asynchronous workshop modules, with the exception of the Spanish OPI, are in English. Please note that the content is very dense and technical. Translations in other languages are not available. To get the greatest benefit out of the live discussion and practice interview sessions, ACTFL recommends that participants have at least Advanced Mid proficiency in the workshop language of focus.
If your learners are targeting the Novice and Intermediate levels of proficiency, ACTFL recommends participating in a MOPI Workshop. The MOPI Workshop emphasizes these levels and the practice interviews target Novice Low through Intermediate High. If your learners are able to reach the Advanced and Superior levels of proficiency (typically within the postsecondary context or a very well-articulated K-12 immersion program), then ACTFL recommends participating in an OPI Workshop. The OPI Workshop covers all proficiency levels used to rate the OPI and practice interviews target Novice Low through Superior
Completing an OPI or MOPI workshop is the first step in eligibility for pursuing OPI Tester Certification.If you want to be authorized to conduct advisory (unofficial) OPIs within your academic institution or have the opportunity to be hired as a tester or rater for Language Testing International (LTI), you must become an ACTFL OPI Certified Tester within the appropriate language(s).

In order to be certified to conduct advisory OPIs from Novice Low through Superior, you must pursue Full Certification, which means you must both have a Superior personal OPI rating within the target language and complete an OPI Workshop.

If you do not need or wish to conduct advisory OPIs across the full range of proficiency levels, you can pursue Limited Certification. This certification allows you to conduct advisory OPIs from Novice Low through Intermediate High. In this case, you can complete a MOPI Workshop instead of an OPI Workshop but must have a personal OPI rating of at least Advanced Mid within the target language.

“I loved this workshop! I found it incredibly helpful! I felt that this workshop strengthened my knowledge of the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines and improved my ability to assess my students. I really liked being able to conduct interviews and how our group worked together to come to a conclusion on the proficiency rating.”
Kevin Quinn
German Teacher, Mexico Academy & Central School District

“I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop with our presenter! It helped me to set the bar more realistically about what is novice, intermediate, and advanced language proficiency – not necessarily looking for full perfection. I enjoyed and benefited from the fact that the workshop facilitator brought in their own personal experience from a non-European language.”
Marianne Ignace
Indigenous Studies Professor, Simon Fraser University

“The structure and content of the workshop was clear, organized, and interactive. I was able to learn a lot from the presenter and my peers. I appreciated the hands-on practice and mock OPIs. Simulating OPIs helped me refine techniques and gain confidence in conducting interviews. The presenter was engaging and kept my peers and me actively involved throughout the workshop. I appreciated her support and encouragement, as well as her expertise in the content.”
Margarita Mejia-Ramos
New York City Department of Education

“The workshop was amazing and so professional! The ACTFL OPI [workshop] improved my teaching strategies, helped me develop my curriculum, and better prepared my students for their assessments. The ACTFL OPI workshop encouraged me to prioritize speaking and listening skills in my language courses and to use more authentic assessments that reflect real-life communication.”
Lina Fuad Abdel-qader Rasheed
Sabeel Institute

OPI and MOPI Assessment workshops are available for scheduling with institutions and groups of individuals to host an ACTFL workshop intended as the first step toward OPI Tester Certification. These intensive, multi-day OPI and Modified OPI Assessment Workshops are offered in several delivery formats to meet the needs of everyone in a variety of contexts.

OPI Assessment Workshop Group Options

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 coursework 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
Before submitting your workshop request to ACTFL, it’s important to review all of our offerings to ensure that you identify the most appropriate workshop for your institution’s context. You’re ready to submit a request if you know:
- The title for the specific workshop you wish to arrange (see options below)
- The dates that you have available to schedule PD
- Your budget and/or administrative process for funding approval
- Who your participants are or have a plan to recruit them
- Whether your participants are interested in OPI Tester Certification and if they would meet the requirements to apply
Submit Request

Not ready to make a request and have questions?

Submit Your Inquiry!

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Modified OPI Assessment Workshop Group Options

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 primarily postsecondary educators (though can be adapted for K-12 educators) pursuing Limited OPI Tester Certification (Novice Low – Intermediate High).

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 videoconferencing meetings with facilitators (approximately 9 hours). With this online format, participants will work asynchronously on the modules at their own pace and will receive feedback from facilitators with a 90-minute videoconferencing session discussion 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 7 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. This workshop is intended to prepare participants to pursue Limited OPI Tester Certification (Novice Low – Intermediate High). See our sample schedule below.

Audience: Primarily postsecondary educators pursuing Limited OPI Tester Certification (Novice - Intermediate High) *
Maximum Participants per workshop cohort: 10
Language of Focus: Target Language or English (to accommodate a mixed-language participant group) **
Estimated Total Time Commitment: 23 – 29 hours
Resources: Digital copies of the workshop materials are included.

*Can be adapted for K-12 as necessary
**All workshop materials and slides are in English

Sample Schedule

Institutions using ACTFL’s Virtual Hybrid MOPI Assessment Workshop will have access to online module coursework that must be completed within the timelines of the discussion sessions with the facilitator. Please review a sample schedule below:

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 (7 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)
- 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.
This fully synchronous workshop on Zoom corresponds with the 2-day in-person MOPI 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 the Novice and Intermediate proficiency levels. Participation in an MOPI Assessment Workshop is the first step toward becoming an ACTFL Certified OPI Tester with Limited Certification. See our sample schedule below.

Audience: Primarily postsecondary educators pursuing Limited OPI Tester Certification (Novice - Intermediate High) *
Maximum Participants per workshop cohort: 10
Language of Focus: Target Language or English (to accommodate a mixed-language participant group) **
Estimated Total Time Commitment: 15 hours
Resources: Digital copies of the workshop materials are included.

*Can be adapted for K-12 as necessary
**All workshop materials and slides are in English

Sample Schedule

3 consecutive days, synchronous via web conferencing (such as Zoom), 4.3 instructional hours each day

Day 1: 9:00a.m. – 2:00p.m. (40 minutes of breaks for lunch, screen/brain breaks)
• Content instruction, activities, discussion

Day 2: 9:00a.m. – 2:00p.m. (40 minutes of breaks)
• Content instruction, activities, interview sessions, discussion

Day 3: 9:00a.m. – 2:00p.m. (40 minutes 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.
This 2-day in-person MOPI 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 the Novice and Intermediate proficiency levels. Participation in a MOPI Assessment Workshop is the first step toward becoming an ACTFL Certified OPI Tester with Limited Certification.

*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 Limited OPI Tester Certification (Novice - Intermediate High) *
Maximum Participants per workshop cohort: 10
Language of Focus: Target Language or English (to accommodate a mixed-language participant group) **
Estimated Total Time Commitment: 17 hours (including breaks)
Resources: Digital copies of the workshop materials are included.
Please see our detailed agenda here.

*Can be adapted for K-12 as necessary
**All workshop materials and slides are in English
Before submitting your workshop request to ACTFL, it’s important to review all of our offerings to ensure that you identify the most appropriate workshop for your institution’s context. You’re ready to submit a request if you know:
- The title for the specific workshop you wish to arrange (see options below)
- The dates that you have available to schedule PD
- Your budget and/or administrative process for funding approval
- Who your participants are or have a plan to recruit them
- Whether your participants are interested in OPI Tester Certification and if they would meet the requirements to apply
Submit Request

Not ready to make a request and have questions?

Submit Your Inquiry!

OPI Certification Advancement

This workshop is intended for currently certified OPI testers with Limited Certification who wish to advance their level of certification to include the Advanced and Superior levels, as well as those who have previously attended a MOPI or OPI workshop and would now like to pursue Full OPI Tester Certification or refresh their knowledge of OPI elicitation and rating protocols. Following the workshop, participants with Limited Certification will be eligible to apply for Full Certification.

Prerequisite: Previous attendance at a MOPI or OPI Assessment Workshop and/or currently certified OPI testers with Limited or Full Certification status.

This workshop is intended for currently certified OPI testers with Limited Certification who wish to advance their level of certification to include the Advanced and Superior levels, as well as those who have previously attended a MOPI or OPI workshop and would now like to pursue Full OPI Tester Certification or refresh their knowledge of OPI elicitation and rating protocols. Following the workshop, participants with Limited Certification will be eligible to apply for Full Certification.

Maximum Participants: 10
Language of Focus: Target Language or English (to accommodate a mixed-language participant group) *
Please see our detailed agenda here.

*All workshop materials and slides are in English

Delivery Options:
1. Synchronous on Zoom
  Can be scheduled over 2-3 days
  Hours: 16 (including 3 hours of breaks)
2. In-Person (may not be offered due to pandemic)
  Scheduled as a two-day workshop
  Hours: 15 (including breaks)
Before submitting your workshop request to ACTFL, it’s important to review all of our offerings to ensure that you identify the most appropriate workshop for your institution’s context. You’re ready to submit a request if you know:
- The title for the specific workshop you wish to arrange (see options below)
- The dates that you have available to schedule PD
- Your budget and/or administrative process for funding approval
- Who your participants are or have a plan to recruit them
- Whether your participants are interested in OPI Tester Certification and if they would meet the requirements to apply
Submit Request

Not ready to make a request and have questions?

Submit Your Inquiry!

Frequently Asked Questions

In order to be certified to conduct advisory OPIs from Novice Low through Superior, you must pursue Full Certification, which means you must both have a Superior personal OPI rating within the target language and complete an OPI Workshop.

If you do not need or wish to conduct advisory OPIs across the full range of proficiency levels, you can pursue Limited Certification. This certification allows you to conduct advisory OPIs from Novice Low through Intermediate High. In this case, you can complete a MOPI Workshop instead of an OPI Workshop but must have a personal OPI rating of at least Advanced Mid within the target language.
As prerequisite to qualify to attend an OPI or MOPI workshop as well as apply for ACTFL OPI Tester Certification, registrants must be affiliated with (currently or previously) an academic institution as defined by ACTFL, have an undergraduate degree in a related field, and have a minimal proficiency level of Advanced Mid in the language of the workshop.

An academic institution is an accredited school, college, or university where foreign languages are taught. The term "affiliation with an academic institution" is defined as a current or previous faculty and/or staff member involved in the instruction or evaluation of language students. Private language companies that offer translation services or language testing do not qualify under ACTFL's definition of an academic institution. Private for-profit companies do not qualify.
After completing an OPI or MOPI workshop, participants will be eligible to pursue ACTFL OPI Tester Certification, if desired. Participants may apply for certification in any language regardless of the language of training.

Registrants intending to apply for Full OPI Tester Certification must participate in an OPI Assessment Workshop. Registrants intending to apply for Limited OPI Tester Certification may participate in either an OPI Assessment or MOPI Assessment Workshop.

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