French K–12

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Competencies and Skills and Blueprint

The test design below describes general testing information. The blueprints that follow provide a detailed outline that explains the competencies and skills that this test measures.

Test Design

table describing the format of the test, including test time, number of questions, and required passing score
Format Computer-based test (CBT)
Number of Questions Approximately 75 multiple-choice questions, 1 essay, 2 speaking assignments
Time 2 hours and 30 minutes
Passing Score A scaled score of at least 200

 

Competencies, Skills, and Approximate Percentages of Questions

Pie chart of approximate test weighting outlined in the table below.



table describing the competencies, skills, and approximate percentage of each competency's weight toward overall test score
Competency Approximate Percentage of Multiple-Choice Items
1 Knowledge of communication (performance) *
2 Knowledge of communication 33%
3 Knowledge of cultures 21%
4 Knowledge of sociolinguistic patterns through comparisons of English and French 5%
5 Knowledge of linguistic patterns 14%
6 Knowledge of pedagogy 27%

* The speaking section comprises 40% of the total composite score; the writing section comprises 10% of the total composite score.

Competencies and Skills

Competency 1—Knowledge of communication (performance)

  1. Demonstrate proficiency in speaking French by orally responding to a speaker, providing and requesting information, and expressing feelings, emotions, and opinions.

  2. Demonstrate proficiency in speaking French by orally presenting cultural information, concepts, and ideas on a variety of topics.

  3. Demonstrate proficiency in writing French by presenting, in a written form, concepts, ideas, opinions, and cultural information on a variety of topics.

Competency 2—Knowledge of communication

  1. Demonstrate proficiency in listening by understanding and interpreting spoken French (e.g., political speech, radio interview, conversation, recitation, lecture) on a variety of topics.

  2. Demonstrate proficiency in reading by understanding and interpreting written French on a variety of topics.

Competency 3—Knowledge of cultures

  1. Identify elements of contemporary cultures in the Francophone world.

  2. Identify major figures and ideas and their significance in the visual and performing arts, literature, and music of the Francophone world.

  3. Identify major historical, geographic, social, governmental, and economic features of Francophone societies.

  4. Identify various viewpoints related to other disciplines as expressed in Francophone media.

Competency 4—Knowledge of sociolinguistic patterns through comparisons of English and French

  1. Identify various sociolinguistic patterns.

  2. Identify cultural differences or similarities in language usage.

Competency 5—Knowledge of linguistic patterns

  1. Identify the meaning of idioms, cognates, word roots, and derivatives.

  2. Identify linguistic features (e.g., spelling, capitalization, punctuation, accent marks).

  3. Identify the correct use of linguistic structures.

Competency 6—Knowledge of pedagogy

  1. Select appropriate methods and materials for teaching listening to, speaking, reading, and writing French.

  2. Select appropriate assessment instruments to evaluate proficiency in listening to, speaking, reading, and writing French.

  3. Select appropriate methods for teaching the cultures of the Francophone world.

  4. Select appropriate assessment instruments to evaluate knowledge of Francophone cultures.

  5. Select appropriate strategies and materials for teaching the French language and the literatures and cultures of the Francophone world to diverse populations with a wide range of learning styles and abilities.

  6. Select appropriate assessment instruments to evaluate knowledge of the French language and the literatures and cultures of the Francophone world taught to diverse populations with a wide range of learning styles and abilities.

  7. Select appropriate strategies for incorporating technology in teaching the French language and the literatures and cultures of the Francophone world.