Certification Workshops

Intensive multi-day workshops offered in several delivery formats

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Workshop Agenda In Person or Virtual Synchronous OPI Assessment

ACTFL offers institutions the opportunity 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 conducted in several delivery formats to meet the needs of institutions in a variety of contexts.

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. Then, please complete the checklist associated with each workshop prior to submitting your request, which will help expedite the arrangement of your workshop. Please address any inquiries to workshops@actfl.org.

To submit your interest in an institutional certification workshop, fill out our waitlist form here:

Submit Request

OPI Assessment Workshop

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 course work 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

Modified OPI Assessment Workshop

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.

Synchronous Option

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.

In-Person Delivery*

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

OPI Certification Advancement

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)

Requesting a Workshop Checklist

Are you ready to schedule an ACTFL workshop? If you’ve chosen a workshop above that best fits your institutions’ needs, please review and complete the following checklist, prior to submitting your request to ACTFL, as this will help expedite the arrangements:

  1. Decide on the best delivery format for your institution and encumber the funds for this workshop.
  2. Determine your preferred dates and schedule. Please refer to your institution’s calendar for available PD days and consult your intended participants on a schedule that is convenient for them. You must provide two sets of dates when submitting your request to ACTFL. We will do our best to accommodate your preferences, but please know that we cannot guarantee that ACTFL staff and an appropriate facilitator will be available.
  3. Recruit your list of participants. This will enable you to determine the best dates and schedule for you and your participants by surveying them.
  4. Establish and record interest among your participants in pursuing OPI Tester Certification following this workshop. Make yourself and all participants aware of the prerequisites and procedure for submitting a certification application:
    1. An OPI Tester Certification candidate must be affiliated with an accredited academic institution,
    2. Possess at least an undergraduate degree in a language-related field,
    3. Have successfully completed all components of the OPI or MOPI Assessment Workshop (including course work [whether synchronously or via online modules] and attending and participating live in all discussion and interview sessions),
    4. Order and take an OPI through Language Testing International (LTI), in order to confirm their proficiency level as at least Advanced Mid (for Limited Certification) or Superior (for Full Certification),
    5. Submit a certification application, complete with a copy of their CV/resume, within 60 days following the conclusion of the workshop.
    6. Once the application is approved, the certification process then takes place online in four phases, in which the whole process can typically be completed within 8-12 months (with a 1-year deadline). Certification is awarded for 4 years, after which testers must then recertify.
  5. Consult your finance and/or procurement departments to be clear on your institution’s procedures for arranging and remitting payment for professional development services. Be sure that you can answer the following:
    1. What institution/organization will be paying the invoice for this workshop and what is the billing address?
    2. Does ACTFL need to go through a vendor application process with your institution?
    3. Are there contracts/paperwork that ACTFL must sign for your institution?
    4. Are you required to create a Purchase Order to process ACTFL’s invoice?
    5. Does the invoice need to be sent to a specific individual for processing? If so, what is their name and email address?
    6. Will you require a separate proposal/quote document aside from signing ACTFL’s services agreement?

Submitting Your Request

Once you have completed the above checklist, you are now ready to contact ACTFL and submit your request! Should you submit your request and have not completed this checklist, this will significantly delay the processing of your request and ACTFL staff will be unable to move forward with workshop arrangements until all checklist items have been finalized.

ACTFL receives requests for institutionally hosted workshops through this waitlist form. After completing this form, ACTFL will be in contact with you regarding your submission within 2 business weeks. Note that requests for virtual workshops must be submitted at least 60 days in advance of the workshop start date, and at least 90 days in advance for in-person workshops. Please address any inquiries to workshops@actfl.org.

Submit Request