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Proficiency in Foreign Language Notation

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Language Center

A student who demonstrates levels of achievement equivalent to those expected at the end of the third quarter of the third year of study in a language may be awarded the notation "proficiency in" that language on the official transcript. For further information and details on applying for a Proficiency Notation, see http://language.stanford.edu.

In order for a student to have the proficiency notation appear on the official transcript, the student must:

  1. Inform the Language Center at least two quarters prior to graduation that he/she is requesting such a notation.
  2. Schedule an Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) through the Language Center. Since this is a formal oral proficiency interview, at least two quarters of lead time are essential for scheduling this interview. The interview will be conducted by a certified OPI rater.
  3. Submit to the Language Center an academic paper written in the foreign language in question of at least five pages (two pages in the Asian languages and Russian).
  4. Ask one Stanford University Academic Council faculty member to write a letter on the student's behalf, attesting to a high level of academic writing and composition skill in the foreign language.
  5. Receive a rating of 'Advanced Low' on the Foreign Service Institute/American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (FSI/ACTFL) oral proficiency except in the non-cognate languages which require an 'Intermediate High' rating.

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