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Language Proficiency Survey

Abstract

Students usually do not regard foreign language proficiency as a resource for their schoolwork or as an advantage in their future career. This language proficiency survey helps students make these connections. It can be applied to all courses in various disciplines, and the results can be used as the information for faculty to prepare and design a CLAC activity as well as as an in-class introduction to or discussion of the CLAC activity.

Description

This language proficiency survey can be used as introductory material to any CLAC activitiy in courses in various disciplines. It asks students to assess their language levels and reflect on the important role of language in learning current course material and securing future employment. Students report whether they speak any foreign language; how well they are in reading, writing, listening, and speaking that language; communicative challenges; and the importance of language skills in finding jobs. Students are asked to complete the survey before the course or in the first class, and then students' responses and reflections are used to introduce the idea of CLAC and the CLAC activity. The survey has been used in many courses, and students have shown keen interest in learning others' perspectives on languages and cultures, beome more aware of the importance of languages in coursework and a future career, and developed confidence in participating and engaging in the CLAC activities. You may adapt these questions or add new ones to meet the needs/requirements of your students, expecially in professional disciplines, such as education, social work, or health sciences.