Language assessment for APUO and APTPUO members

Passive bilingualism

To demonstrate passive bilingualism, professors must have their listening and reading comprehension evaluated.

The University of Ottawa requires a level 2 in Listening and a level 2 in Reading to demonstrate passive bilingualism.

Active bilingualism

To demonstrate active bilingualism, professors must have their written and spoken expression evaluated in addition to their listening and reading comprehension.

The University of Ottawa requires a level 3 in Listening, a level 3 in Reading, a level 3 in Speaking and a Level 2 in Writing to demonstrate active bilingualism.

The test is scheduled on an individual basis with each professor. The tests are scheduled during regular office hours. If desired, the test may be completed over the course of two or more days.

Professors need to request access to each individual component of the test depending on the language being assessed. The following tests are available on the platform’s activity list. Please see Accessing the Testing Platform below.

French proficiency tests available

• For passive or receptive bilingualism

  • French Listening test for professors
  • French Reading test for professors

• For active or productive bilingualism

  • French Listening test for professors
  • French Reading test for professors
  • French Speaking test for professors
  • French writing test for professors

English proficiency tests available

• For passive or receptive bilingualism

  • English Listening test for professors
  • English Reading test for professors

• For active or productive bilingualism

  • English Listening test for professors
  • English Reading test for professors
  • English Speaking test for professors
  • English writing test for professors

Accessing the Testing Platform

Follow the instructions on XpressLab - Language testing portal under uOttawa Employee and under Access the Test, login to the XpressLab - Language testing portal using your employee email. Once in the testing platform you will need to request access to the desired tests listed above.
 

Tests will be confirmed by email within three to five business days.

If you need help requesting the test(s) or to set up your account, please contact us at [email protected]

Five to ten business days following the test, the results will be communicated to the professor by email.

Abbreviated Level Descriptions

Listening Comprehension (L) and Reading Comprehension (R) Skill Levels

• L1, R1: Incomplete global comprehension.
• L2, R2: Almost complete global comprehension; Comprehends many explicit details.
• L3, R3: Complete global comprehension; Comprehends almost all explicit details.
• L4, R4: Complete global comprehension; Comprehends all explicit and implicit details.

Speaking (S) and Writing (W) Skill Levels

• S1, W1: Communicates with difficulty.
• S2, W2: Communicates somewhat effectively, with some imprecision.
• S3, W3: Communicates effectively, with ease and minor imprecision.
• S4, W4: Communicates very effectively, with ease and precision.

Evaluation Process

The levels for the listening and reading tests are determined based on the percentage of questions answered correctly. Depending on the test version, the minimum score for a L2, R2 is between 53 and 57 percent and the minimum score for a L3, R3 is between 74 and 78 percent.

The written and spoken tests are evaluated by two trained assessors who then discuss the sample and agree on a final level.

Sharing Test Results

Results remain confidential between the professor and Language Testing Services. Professors who wish to have a copy of their results sent to their dean must contact [email protected] in order to request the desired documents.

Re-test

It is strongly recommended that professors who do not meet the language requirements in one or more area explore further language training options. The recommended waiting period to retake any component of the test is two months.

Re-evaluation

If a professor is convinced that their level is stronger than the result reported, they may request a re-evaluation of their writing or speaking test. In the event of a re-evaluation, the sample would be sent to two different assessors who would discuss the sample and agree on a final level. Due to test security concerns, professors will not be able to view their tests. Requests for re-evaluation should be emailed to [email protected].