On the validity of descriptors in ACTFL Language Proficiency Guidelines

Abstract

ACTFL Language Proficiency Guidelines (hereinafter called Guidelines) are a multi-lingual framework mainly based on the language proficiency development of several European languages. Little consideration is given to the peculiarity of Chinese. Efforts are made to assess the validity of the descriptors in Guidelines in comparison with Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (hereinafter called Standards). A total of five parameters from Guidelines that are not compatible with Standards have been selected and two questionnaires compiled by the authors are answered by local American Chinese language teachers to evaluate the validity of these descriptors. The study shows that the descriptors in Standards are more valid in differentiating language proficiency levels of Chinese. In accordance with this study, some revisions and amendments should be made to Guidelines.