Language Competency Requirements
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In order to fulfill the SASt language requirement, students must demonstrate that they have a minimum required level of proficiency in the target language. Proficiency levels are measured by the standard ACTFL Proficiency Scale developed by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. The scale has four major levels: Novice, Intermediate, Advanced and Superior, and sublevels within these major levels (Low, Mid & High). Please click here for the descriptions of the hallmarks of Intermediate, Advanced & Superior Levels.
Required Levels of Proficiency for BA, MA & PhD:
Bachelor of Arts: Students must demonstrate Intermediate-Mid level performance in all four language skills (speaking, listening, reading & writing) in any one modern South Asian language. Or, they must demonstrate Intermediate-High Level proficiency in reading in a classical South Asian language.
This requirement can be fulfilled either by passing a proficiency test or by completing courses through the Intermediate (second-year) level with a grade of B or higher. Students who have studied the target language through high school may apply for a waiver by presenting their original high school diploma and mark sheet.
Master of Arts: Students must demonstrate Intermediate-High Level proficiency in any one language skill (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) and Intermediate-Mid in others in a modern South Asian language. Or, they must demonstrate Advanced Level proficiency in reading in a classical South Asian language.
The required proficiency may be demonstrated by examination or by completing at least one course beyond the intermediate level with a grade above B.
Doctor of Philosophy: Students must demonstrate
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Advanced Level proficiency in one South Asian language, classical or modern, in any one language skill intended for research, and |
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The required proficiency may be demonstrated by exam or by completing at least two advanced level courses (beyond intermediate) with grades above B+. |
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Reading knowledge of two more languages intended for research, only one of which may be a South Asian language. |
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The reading proficiency is demonstrated by passing tests administered by the department in South Asian languages or by relevant departments in other languages. |
Proficiency Tests
South Asia Studies administers proficiency tests for the languages listed in the table below. If you are planning to take a proficiency test this year, please fill out the proficiency Test Request Form and give it to the teacher-in-charge of the language. You may pick up the form from the department or download it by clicking here to download the Request for Language Proficiency Test form.
Please note that proficiency exams in Hindi (for language requirement purpose) are held once a semester. These are normally in the third week of November and April.
If you have any specific questions, please consult the teacher-in-charge of your language, or SASt's Language Coordinator, Dr. Vijay Gambhir.
Hallmarks of ACTFL's Major Proficiency Levels
Intermediate
Speaking: Ability to ask and answer questions and to initiate, sustain and close a simple communicative task with a fair command of basic phonology, morphology, grammar, and vocabulary.
Listening: Ability to understand main ideas and some details from interactive exchanges and simple connected spoken texts on everyday personal and social topics found in face-to-face conversations, radio, and TV.
Reading: Ability to understand main ideas and some details from simple connected texts such as letters, announcements, simple stories, and short news items.
Writing: Ability to write short connected texts such as notes, personal letters, simple descriptions and narrations with a fair command of spelling and grammar.
Advanced
Speaking: Ability to narrate, describe, and explain with paragraph-like connected discourse. Can initiate, sustain and bring to closure a wide variety of communicative tasks with a solid control of basic phonology, morphology and grammar.
Listening: Ability to understand main ideas and most details of connected discourse on a variety of topics found in face-to-face conversations, TV news, commentaries, plays, movies, etc.
Reading: Ability to comprehend main idea and most details of longer and linguistically complex texts on topics of general interest found in popular magazines, newspapers, general books, etc.
Writing: Ability to write cohesive discourse of several paragraphs in length on topics of general or special interest. Have a broad vocabulary and a good control of spelling and basic grammar.
Superior
Speaking: Ability to participate in formal and informal conversations on a variety of personal, social, and professional topics. Can express and support opinion with native-like discourse strategies. Have a firm control of morphology and a wide range of structures.
Listening: Ability to understand and appreciate nuances in formal and informal styles of extended discourse at concrete and abstract levels found in discussions, debates, lectures, etc. Can handle a variety of social and professional topics.
Reading: Ability to understand literal meaning and appreciate intended humor, sarcasm, irony, etc. in a wide variety of texts found in magazines, journals, newspapers, and books.
Writing: Ability to write formally and informally on a variety of concrete and abstract level topics. Can use different registers and has underlying organization, logical ordering and thematic development in texts such as short papers, essays, formal letters, etc.
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