Languages and Cultures
West Chester University
Dr. Jerome Williams
109 Main Hall
West Chester, PA 19383
Phone: 610-436-2700
Fax: 610-436-3048
Jerome Williams
Certification FAQs
- As a certification major, am I required to take a second foreign language up to the 202 or equivalent level?
- No. For students in the elective certification programs, the 36 credits in professional education courses will substitute for this requirement.
We urge you to take a second language up to or beyond the 202 level for a variety of reasons that include: increased opportunities of employment in today’s competitive global job market, the ability to complete non K-12 certification requirements for the B.A. in your language area, enhanced preparation for internships and travel/study abroad, professional and personal success, and the development of critical thinking on the relationship between language and culture, amongst others.
- No. For students in the elective certification programs, the 36 credits in professional education courses will substitute for this requirement.
- What tests do I need to take?
- All students are required to take the PAPA (Pre-Service Academic Performance Assessment) tests.
- All students are required to take Praxis II “Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge” (#0511).
- Starting in Spring 2013, all new admits to the program are required to take the ACTFL OPI and WPT and pass with Advance Low (AL).
- When should I take the PAPA tests? Where do I register and pay?
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Beginning April 2, 2012, candidates whose PA certification programs require basic skills tests (formerly PPSTs) now register to take the PAPA – Pre-Service Academic Performance Assessment offered by Pearson under the Pennsylvania Educator Certification Tests (PECT), if they have not already taken or registered for any of the PPST tests. For more information about registering for these tests, go to: http://www.wcupa.edu/_academics/coed/PAtests.asp and select the purple button for PPST/PAPA, where you will find information about the tests and how to register for them.
Undergraduate foreign language students seeking initial certification must take the PAPA series of basic skills tests.Baisc Skills 001 PAPA Module 1: Reading PAPA001 (when all 3 modules passed) 002 PAPA Module 2: Mathematics 003 PAPA Module 3: Writing
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Beginning April 2, 2012, candidates whose PA certification programs require basic skills tests (formerly PPSTs) now register to take the PAPA – Pre-Service Academic Performance Assessment offered by Pearson under the Pennsylvania Educator Certification Tests (PECT), if they have not already taken or registered for any of the PPST tests. For more information about registering for these tests, go to: http://www.wcupa.edu/_academics/coed/PAtests.asp and select the purple button for PPST/PAPA, where you will find information about the tests and how to register for them.
- Who should take the Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge (#0511) Praxis II exam and when? Where do I register and pay?
- The Fundamental Subjects (#0511) Praxis II is a PDE requirement for ALL K-12 certification students in the state, and therefore must be taken and passed in order to be recommended for certification. The “Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge” (#0511) Praxis II is to be taken by world languages certification students when enrolled in LAN 401/503 or before, but prior to enrollment in EDS 411/412. For specific information, please visit the College of Education website http://www.wcupa.edu/_academics/coed/praxisII.asp
- When should I take the ACTFL Exams: Oral (OPI) and Written (WPT)? Where do I register and pay?
- Before enrolling in EDS 411/412, certification candidates work with designated faculty members to request and take second language proficiency tests offered through ACTFL/LTI. The OPI is administered by a certified rater via telephone; the WPT is administered online and/or as a paper exam. For students who are new admits to the program in Spring 2013 and after, a rating of Advanced Low on both the OPI and WPT is required in order to enroll in EDS 411/412, and to be recommended for certification to the PDE. World languages majors who fail to meet the Advanced Low criterion will not student teach or be recommended for certification, but will be permitted to complete the BA without certification in their language of specialization; this requires completion of 202 or its equivalent in a second language. Achievement of advanced proficiency requires a significant immersion experience prior to student teaching. The immersion experience can include, but is not limited to study abroad, internship, and intensive summer language programs at a domestic institution. For this reason, immersion opportunities to increase proficiency should be discussed with an advisor as early as possible in the program, and well before FATE.
- What are the Praxis II and ACTFL exams? Do I need to take them?
- Yes, currently you must take both the Praxis II (#0511) and the ACTFL exams.
Praxis II exams. There are two (2) Praxis II exams:
(1) Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge (#0511), and
(2) World Languages (German 5183, French 5174, Spanish 5195)(1) Praxis II Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge (#0511)
The Fundamental Subjects (#0511) Praxis II is a PDE requirement for ALL K-12 certification students in the state, and therefore must be taken and passed in order to be recommended for certification. The “Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge” Praxis II is to be taken and passed by world languages certification students prior to enrollment in EDS 411/412.(2) Praxis II World Languages (German #5183, French #5174, Spanish #5195)
Students admitted prior to Spring 2013 will follow their admission program requirements,
namely:
a) achievement of ACTFL Intermediate High (IH) or
b) Praxis II World Language scores as shown below:Praxis II World Language Test Codes Score French 5174 162 German 5183 163 Spanish 5195 168 Students admitted in Spring 2013 and after will NOT take the Praxis II World Languages (French 5174, German 5183, Spanish 5195), but ALL will need to take the ACTFL/LTI [American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages/Language Testing International] Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and the Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) and have a minimum rate rating of Advanced Low (AL).
ACTFL exams are also administered in selected required 300 and 400 level language courses. The Department of Languages and Cultures pays for the ACTFL exams and assists you in registering. For ACTFL exams, please see your advisor and Dr. María Cabrera mcabrera@wcupa.edu. When you register through the Department of Languages and Cultures, your scores are automatically reported to PDE.
- Yes, currently you must take both the Praxis II (#0511) and the ACTFL exams.
- 7) Where can I obtain the results of my ACTFL tests?
- Your language coordinator, or Dr. María Cabrera (mcabrera@wcupa.edu) can access your scores.
- What Praxis II exams and ACTFL do I need to take to be certified in each language?
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In addition to the required PAPA tests, please see the chart below.
CERTIFICATION AREAS AND REQUIREMENTSFRENCH - Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge (#0511) REQUIRED SCORE: 150
- Students admitted prior to Spring 2013 will follow their admission program requirements, namely:
a) achievement of ACTFL Intermediate High (IH) or
b) Praxis II World Languages: French (#5174) REQUIRED SCORE: 162 (computerized test, no paper tests available) - Students admitted in Spring 2013 and after will NOT take the Praxis II World Languages (French 5174but ALL will need to take the ACTFL/LTI [American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages/Language Testing International] Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and the Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) and have a minimum rate of Advanced Low (AL).
- IV. NOTE: Must TAKE any required Praxis II or ACTFL tests prior to student teaching.
GERMAN - ALL studentsFundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge (#0511) REQUIRED SCORE: 150
- Students admitted prior to Spring 2013 will follow their admission program requirements, namely:
a) achievement of ACTFL Intermediate High (IH) or
b) Praxis II World Languages: French (#5183) REQUIRED SCORE: 163 (computerized test, no paper tests available) - Students admitted in Spring 2013 and after will NOT take the Praxis II World Languages (German 5183), but ALL will need to take the ACTFL/LTI [American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages/Language Testing International] Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and the Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) and have a minimum rate of Advanced Low (AL).
- NOTE: Must TAKE any required Praxis II or ACTFL tests prior to student teaching.
All PRAXIS II exams are required for Pennsylvania certification but NOT to graduate from West Chester University.
SPANISH - ALL students: Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge (#0511) REQUIRED SCORE: 150
- Students admitted prior to Spring 2013 will follow their admission program requirements, namely:
a) achievement of ACTFL Intermediate High (IH) or
b) Praxis II World Languages: Spanish (#5195) REQUIRED SCORE: 168 (computerized test, no paper tests available) - Students admitted in Spring 2013 and after will NOT take the Praxis II World Languages (Spanish 5195), but ALL will need to take the ACTFL/LTI [American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages/Language Testing International] Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and the Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) and have a minimum rate of Advanced Low (AL).
- . NOTE: Must TAKE any required Praxis II or ACTFL tests prior to student teaching.
All PRAXIS II exams are required for Pennsylvania certification but NOT to graduate from West Chester University.
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In addition to the required PAPA tests, please see the chart below.
- If I fail the Praxis II World Languages exam, how often can I retake it to achieve a passing score?
- Praxis II World Languages tests for foreign languages may be taken each time they are offered since the minimum lapse time required between CBT tests is 30 days. Most of the World Languages tests are administered at least two months apart. This is only valid for students admitted to the program before Spring 2013. Students admitted to the program in Spring 2013 or after will not take the Praxis II World Languages exam (French #5174, German #5183, Spanish #5195).
- Currently, the PDE requirement is a score of Intermediate High on both the OPI and WPT. When will that change?
- Effective Spring 2013, the new requirement is that students who start the program in Spring 2013 and beyond must score Advanced Low on both tests in order to student teach.
- If I fail one or both ACTFL exams, can I retake one or both to achieve a passing score?
- Yes, you can retake the ACTFL exams. Please consult both the ACTFL website ( actfl.org) and Dr. María Cabrera (mcabrera@wcupa.edu).
- If I do not pass the Praxis II and/or the ACTFL exams, can I still graduate as a language major? What options do I have?
- You can graduate with the B.A. degree in your language area, provided that you have met all the requirements (for instance, the second language requirement needed in the B.A. for non-certification students). Always consult your advisor, language coordinator or department chair when you switch from Elective Certification to the B.A. without elective certification.
- How long are the Praxis I scores valid from the last test date?
- Praxis I test scores are good indefinitely.
- I took and passed the Praxis II many years ago. For how many years are my scores valid from the last test date?
- Praxis II scores are valid for 10 years.
- Are there practice sessions for Praxis II and ACTFL exams?
- While your course work prepares you to take both exams, the department has review books and study guides available for the Praxis II. You can ask in the Department’s office (MAIN 109).
- If I graduate without K-12 certification, could I later take the Praxis II and be certified if I pass the exam? Does the same apply to ACTFL exams?
- In order to receive certification, you must meet all the program requirements, including EDS 411/412 and a score of Advanced Low on both ACTFL exams.
- If I have already graduated with certification in a non foreign language discipline and I want to be certified to teach a foreign language, what is the process and timetable to do that?
- If you return as a post bacc, in addition to any required course work, you must take the ACTFL exams for a score of Advanced Low.
- I (have a waiver for formal admission (FATE) and) want to enroll in EDS 306 (Fields Experience), but there are no more seats available. What do I do?
- You should contact Deborah Kaba (dkaba@wcupa.edu) in the College of Education.
- Can I take both EDS 306 and LAN 401 in the same semester? Also, what passing grade do I need in LAN 401?
- EDS 306 must be taken before you are eligible to enroll in LAN 401. The minimum passing grade that you must achieve in LAN 401 is a C.
- Is it true that in order to student teach (EDS 411/412), I will have to score Advanced Low on both ACTFL exams?
- Yes, this new requirement is effective Spring 2013 for all students who enter the program in Spring 2013 and beyond.
- If I fail EDS 411 or 412, can I repeat one or the other?
- Yes. You must first obtain permission to do so from the College of Education.
- I have transfer credits for professional education courses from another school. Who evaluates them?
- Dr. John Elmore (jelmore@wcupa.edu) or his designee for undergraduate students; Dr. Thomas Mastrilli (tmastrilli@wcupa.edu), or Dr. David Bolton (dbolton@wcupa.edu) for post baccs.
- Why do I need two advisors: one in the Dept. of Languages and Cultures and one in the College of Education?
- You are assigned an academic advisor in the Department of Languages and Cultures, and a professional advisor in the College of Education’s Department of Professional and Secondary Education, in order to provide you quality advising and guidance.
- My advising sheet lists the professional education courses I must take prior to FATE. Do those courses have to be taken in the order listed?
- You must take all the required courses, but not necessarily in the order listed since some courses have prereqs that you must complete. For the requirements for FATE, see your advising sheet and the COE website: http://www.wcupa.edu/_academics/coed/studentinfo/fateundergrad.asp
- What is the lowest accepted grade in a language course?
- You are required to obtain a minimum grade of C in each language course for the major. No exceptions.
- If I am certified to teach K-12 in PA, am I qualified / eligible to teach in Maryland, New Jersey or Delaware? Does my license follow me from state to state?
- Each state has its own requirements for certification. Please contact the Department of Education for the appropriate state to learn about their own requirements.
- I am considering continuing in the MA TESOL program. Does that program include certification?
- No, but you are required to have certification in order to teach ESL.
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- 700 South High St, West Chester, PA 19383
- 610-436-1000
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