California Foreign Language Project: Research and Publications

Less-Commonly Taught Languages
in Selected Elementary and Secondary Schools in California

Appendix 4
Student Foreign Language Proficiency Questionnaire

Name:	Date:	Language/Level:

PART I Self-Rated FLOSEM (Foreign Language Oral Skills Evaluation Matrix)

Please read each of the descriptive statements regarding foreign language oral proficiency in the following sections. The statements represent a wide range of abilities in listening comprehension, fluency, vocabulary, pronunciation and grammar. Place a check in the bracket of the level that best represents your present ability in each of the sections. If you feel you are in between levels, mark the appropriate mid-level slot.

Listening Comprehension

Level 1		I can understand a limited number of high frequency words and common conversational set expressions such as "How are you?" or "My name is-".
Mid-level
Level 2		I can understand simple questions and statements in short dialogues or passages if it is repeated at slower-than-normal speed.
Mid-level
Level 3		I can understand the main point(s) of a short dialogue or passage if spoken at slower-than-normal speed. I may need some repetition.
Mid-level
Level 4		I can understand most of what is said (all main points and most details) at near normal speed.
Mid-level
Level 5		I can understand nearly everything at normal speed, although occasional repetition may be necessary.
Mid-level
Level 6		I can understand everything at normal speed like a native speaker.

Fluency

Level 1	[ ]	I can speak using only short question-answer patterns such as "How are you? I am fine, thank you."
Mid-level	[ ]
Level 2	[ ]	I can participate in a simple conversation on familiar everyday topics at slower-than-normal speed. I must frequently pause during conversation.
Mid-level	[ ]
Level 3	[ ]	I can express myself using simple language, but make mistakes and pause a lot when I try to express complex ideas.
Mid-level	[ ]
Level 4	[ ]	I can effortlessly express myself at near normal speed. Occasionally, I have to slow down when expressing complex ideas and less-common expressions.
Mid-level	[ ]
Level 5	[ ]	I am generally fluent, but occasionally have minor pauses when I search for the correct manner of expression.
Mid-level	[ ]
Level 6	[ ]	I have native-like fluency.

Vocabulary in Speech

Level 1	[ ]	I know a limited number of high frequency words and common conversational set expressions. (e.g., How are you? My name is ...)
Mid-level	[ ]
Level 2	[ ]	I have enough vocabulary to make simple statements and ask questions in a simplified conversation.
Mid-level	[ ]
Level 3	[ ]	I have an adequate working vocabulary. I know some synonyms and can express simple ideas in a limited number of different ways.
Mid-level	[ ]
Level 4	[ ]	I have enough vocabulary to participate in everyday conversation and know many alternative ways of expressing simple ideas.
Mid-level	[ ]
Level 5	[ ]	I have enough vocabulary to participate in more extended discussions on various topics. I also know some connotations and nuances of certain words and expressions.
Mid-level	[ ]
Level 6	[ ]	I have an extensive native-like vocabulary.

Pronunciation

Level 1	[ ]	I have difficulty in accurately producing the sounds and sound patterns of the language.
Mid-level	[ ]
Level 2	[ ]	I am beginning to master some sounds and sound patterns, but still have difficulty with some of the sounds.
Mid-level	[ ]
Level 3	[ ]	I can produce most of the sounds and sound patterns, but sometimes need to repeat myself to make the utterance more clear.
Mid-level	[ ]
Level 4	[ ]	My speech is always intelligible, but a definite accent and/or awkward intonation patterns are apparent.
Mid-level	[ ]
Level 5	[ ]	My pronunciation and intonation are near native-like.
Mid-level	[ ]
Level 6	[ ]	My pronunciation and intonation are exactly like those of a native speaker.

Grammar in Speech

Level 1	[ ]	I can only use common conversational set expressions.
Mid-level	[ ]
Level 2	[ ]	I can produce very basic sentence patterns but with frequent grammatical errors.
Mid-level	[ ]
Level 3	[ ]	I can produce a few complex sentence constructions but with noticeable grammatical errors.
Mid-level	[ ]
Level 4	[ ]	I can speak using a good range of complex patterns and grammatical rules. However, occasional errors are still present.
Mid-level	[ ]
Level 5	[ ]	I have a good command over a large range of complex grammar and errors are infrequent.
Mid-level	[ ]
Level 6	[ ]	I can speak with a native-like command of complex grammatical patterns.

PART II Sung Language Self-Assessment Questionnaire

Please read the following statements in each of the four areas of listening comprehension, reading comprehension, speaking, and writing. Rate how well you can perform the various activities in the foreign language that you are learning on a scale of 1 (cannot do it at all) to 5 (can do it comfortably). Circle the appropriate level.

SCALE

2: I can do it but with great difficulty.

3: I can do it but with some difficulty.

4: I can do it fairly well but with occasional difficulty.

5: I can do it comfortably.

Listening Comprehension

1.	I can understand a short message on the answering machine.	1	2	3	4	5
2.	I can watch and understand a t.v. program.	1	2	3	4	5
3.	I can understand a lecture given by a native speaker on a topic that interests me.	1	2	3	4	5
4.	I can play Bingo.	1	2	3	4	5
5.	I can understand directions to my friend's house.	1	2	3	4	5
6.	I can understand a native speaker describe his/her favorite hobby.	1	2	3	4	5
7.	I can understand a story that the teacher reads to us in class.	1	2	3	4	5
8.	I can understand my teacher's directions in class.	1	2	3	4	5
9.	I can understand the explanation of the rules of a game.	1	2	3	4	5
10.	I can understand general questions about myself and my family.	1	2	3	4	5

Speaking

1.	I can greet someone.	1	2	3	4	5
2.	I can tell someone my summer vacation plans.	1	2	3	4	5
3.	I can tell a friend about a t.v. program I recently saw.	1	2	3	4	5
4.	I can leave a message on an answering machine. (e.g., name, phone number, time, date, reason for calling)	1	2	3	4	5
5.	I can converse with a native speaker on any general topic using the appropriate language forms.	1	2	3	4	5
6.	I can describe my best friend.	1	2	3	4	5
7.	I can introduce myself to other people.	1	2	3	4	5
8.	I can explain the rules of my favorite game to someone.	1	2	3	4	5
9.	I can answer general questions about my family.	1	2	3	4	5
10.	I can give someone directions to my house.	1	2	3	4	5

For the next two sections, please rate your ability to read and write in the characters of the language you are learning (e.g., Chinese Characters, Hangul, Hiragana/Katakana, ).

Reading Comprehension

1.	I can read instructions on a test.	1	2	3	4	5
2.	I can read the names of simple objects.	1	2	3	4	5
3.	I can read a newspaper.	1	2	3	4	5
4.	I can read the instructions for a board game.	1	2	3	4	5
5.	I can read some or all of a popular novel.	1	2	3	4	5
6.	I can read a letter from a pen-pal.	1	2	3	4	5
7.	I can read magazines with minimal use of a dictionary.	1	2	3	4	5
8.	I can read simple sentences in the textbook.	1	2	3	4	5
9.	I can read a short children's story.	1	2	3	4	5
10.	I can read a note from my teacher.	1	2	3	4	5

Writing

1.	I can list the things in my school bag.	1	2	3	4	5
2.	I can write a review on my favorite movie/book.	1	2	3	4	5
3.	I can write a note to a friend.	1	2	3	4	5
4.	I can write a report on the history of a foreign country.	1	2	3	4	5
5.	I can keep a journal.	1	2	3	4	5
6.	I can describe the characteristics of my best friend.	1	2	3	4	5
7.	I can write a letter to a pen-pal.	1	2	3	4	5
8.	I can write about my future plans and the reasons for them.	1	2	3	4	5
9.	I can take a simple telephone message.	1	2	3	4	5
10.	I can write an essay expressing my thoughts on learning foreign languages in high school.	1	2	3	4	5

* If you are studying Cantonese, how many Chinese characters do you know? Please give an approximate number. ________

* If you are studying Japanese, how many Kanji characters do you know? Please give an approximate number. _______

PART III

1. Will you continue to study the foreign language you are presently learning next year or in college?

Yes No

2. What was your final grade for this class last semester? (Please circle one)

A+ A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D D- F

3. What grade do you expect to receive for this class this quarter? (Please circle one)

A+ A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D D- F

4. How satisfied are you with the progress you have made in learning this foreign language?

Not Satisfied ----- 1 2 3 4 5 -----Very Satisfied

Cover Page and Directory

Table of Contents

Acknowledgement

Executive Summary

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 2: Description of Evaluation Activities

Chapter 3: Portfolios as Assessment Devices

Chapter 4: Oral Proficiency Assessment Results

Chapter 5: Student and Parent Questionnaire Survey Results (Part A)

Chapter 5: Student and Parent Questionnaire Survey Results (Part B)

Chapter 6: Teacher and Administrator Perceptions of the Program

References

Appendices

Less-Commonly Taught Languagesin Selected Elementary and Secondary Schools in California

Appendix 4 Student Foreign Language Proficiency Questionnaire

PART I Self-Rated FLOSEM (Foreign Language Oral Skills Evaluation Matrix)

Listening Comprehension

Fluency

Vocabulary in Speech

Pronunciation

Grammar in Speech

PART II Sung Language Self-Assessment Questionnaire

SCALE

Listening Comprehension

Speaking

Reading Comprehension

Writing

PART III

Less-Commonly Taught Languages
in Selected Elementary and Secondary Schools in California

Appendix 4
Student Foreign Language Proficiency Questionnaire