SIX COMPONENTS SUGGESTED FOR LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY TESTING

SIX COMPONENTS SUGGESTED FOR LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY TESTING
1. BASIC LANGUAGE SKILL

This includes speaking and understanding the two languages being interpreted. The Guide describes both informal (subjective) and formal (objective) models for assessing basic oral language skills. Language proficiency can be tested via unstructured informal oral interview, semi-structured formal interview, or the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview. English may be assessed with the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Basic English as a Second Language (BEST), or SPEAK. Tests for basic language skills usually cover the following:
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There is debate about comprehension and production of written language.
2. ETHICAL CASE STUDY

This includes knowledge of code of ethics and decision-making. Examples include MMIA, Bridging the Gap, CHIA, and NCIHC. Testing of ethics is based on a written or oral scenario to which the candidate reacts. Components of ethical principles include confidentiality, accuracy and completeness, impartiality, respect and professionalism, conveying cultural information, and acceptance of assignments

3. CULTURAL ISSUES
Ability to respond to cultural misunderstandings brought on by language and culturally based beliefs, values, and assumptions. This is assessed through the presentation of scenarios that describe cultural barriers, and candidates are asked how they would respond.
4. HEALTH CARE TERMINOLOGY

Terminology and concepts such as anatomy, symptoms, illnesses, procedures and tests, equipment, treatment, specialists, hospital departments, and medications can be included. Oral and written tests can assess health care terminology by translating a list of terms from one language to the other. Role-play can also be used to test terminology.
5. INTEGRATED INTERPRETING SKILLS

Ability to interpret a simulated cross-linguistic review with accuracy and completeness to maximize communication and understanding. Examples of skills include asking for pauses and clarification, using mnemonic devices to remember key information, and managing communication flow. Scripted role-play (which can be audio or video-taped) is used to assess these skills. Evaluators look at whether the candidate used the consecutive mode of interpreting, whether the candidate was positioned unobtrusively, and how well the candidate intervened.
6. TRANSLATION OF SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS

Includes application forms, signage, notices, surveys, brochures, invoices, bills, discharge instructions, appointment cards, and medication labels. Interpreters should be able to both translate written messages into spoken messages and translate short passages of written text into written form in another language. The literacy of the patient needs to be considered. Assessing translation ability is done through using actual text commonly encountered in medical settings. A candidate may translate written text into spoken form (usually English to the target language) or translate from English into written form of another language.
The Guide suggests that the order of testing the above components is based on cost and efficiency and that these different components of assessment can be weighted differently based on importance. For example, basic language skills may constitute a larger percentage of the overall score on an interpreter test than translation skills.
Assessment may also be done before (as a standard for accepting applicants) or after training (to determine how much the applicant benefited from the training).


Testing Oral Skills

LTI provides formal oral language testing services over the telephone in 37 languages, including Spanish (the test can also be conducted face-to-face). LTI uses the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) oral proficiency interview and rating system, which is an internationally recognized test of language proficiency. The test lasts 30 minutes and consists of a structured conversation between a trained and certified interviewer and the person being assessed. The interviewer probes and asks questions about the interviewee’s interests, and the conversation escalates in level of difficulty. A second part is a role-play in which the interviewee is asked to play one role. The tape is rated first by the interviewer and then again by the second rater. The test is conducted and rated by ACTFL certified interpreters who are academics or language professionals. The test costs $139 and the rating takes 2-4 weeks. The conversation and role-play can be adapted to the medical context. However, the test assesses general language proficiency and does not assess medical terminology. The rating scale has ten proficiency levels ranging from Novice Low to Superior. LTI can also consult with organizations to determine what level is acceptable as “passing,” depending on the needs of the organization. LTI works with the Mayo Clinic in assessing their interpreters.

CAL offers a Simulated Oral Proficiency Interview (SOPI)—a type of tape-mediated test of speaking proficiency. All SOPI items are based on the ACTFL speaking proficiency guidelines. The test can be self-administered by the candidate with a master tape and a test booklet. It can also be used in a language laboratory setting to test groups. Reponses are recorded and evaluated by a trained reviewer using the same ACTFL guidelines. The test takes around 25-50 minutes depending on the examinee level of proficiency and is available in 11 languages. Each test costs $115 per examinee. CAL also conducts rater-training workshops to prepare internal raters for any organization and has developed a Self-instructional Rater Training Kit to make rater training more accessible.