AAPPL Rater Certification

The ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL) is unlike any other assessment. AAPPL is a web-based proficiency and performance assessment of K-12 standards-based language learning. It assesses tasks across the three modes of communication as defined by the World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages. AAPPL Rater Certification is only awarded in the languages in which the AAPPL is offered: Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), English/ESOL, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish.

AAPPL Raters are recruited on an as-needed basis according to the volume of AAPPL testing. ACTFL generally accepts applications once a year—typically between late April and early August. Upon certification, raters will work as independent contractors for ACTFL’s test administration partner, Language Testing International (LTI).

The AAPPL Certified Rater application is closed. If you are interested in getting an update when AAPPL Certification opens again, please complete this survey.

Successful applicants will be invited to pursue Certification as an AAPPL Rater by completing an online certification course. The Certification is a 4-week course including approximately 20 hours of material. It is largely self-paced through online modules, but opportunities for synchronous interaction (e.g., Zoom-based office hours) will be made available. The time of year this course is typically offered has been moved to the summer to better accommodate candidates. The course will launch in early August 2024 and remain open until the end of September.

Prerequisite for Becoming a Rater:

  • ACTFL-certified AAPPL raters will rate AAPPL tests from their home computers. As such, a high-speed (not dial up) connection is required.
  • All AAPPL raters must demonstrate a minimum proficiency of Advanced - Mid in the language in which they will rate. If a rater is not an L1 speaker of the language, with all higher education completed either in the target language or by majoring/specializing in that language, then an OPIc will be required to document the rater’s language proficiency. This will be arranged by ACTFL prior to enrollment in the AAPPL certification workshop.
  • Minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
  • Ideal candidates have a background in proficiency assessment and preference is given to candidates with language teaching experience.
  • All candidates must be able to obtain an EIN number and/or legally authorized to work in the U.S.

The AAPPL Certification eCourse:

The AAPPL Certification Course is an online course, which includes self-guided modules with asynchronous activities and meetings, along with optional synchronous Zoom based office hours. The AAPPL Certification eCourse is a four-week course and includes an estimated 20-25 hours of material. The course will launch early August 2024 and remain open until the end of September 2024.

The Certification Process:

  • Complete all self-guided modules
  • Attend optional virtual office hours hosted by an AAPPL Quality Assurance Advisor as needed
  • Successfully complete the practice and certification rounds of rating of Interpersonal Listening & Speaking (ILS) along with Presentational Writing (PW) samples

The Role of an AAPPL Rater

  • Ability to apply the AAPPL rating criteria to the AAPPL rating process to make sound rating judgments
  • Availability to serve as a rater (LTI-paid consultant) – particularly during the busiest periods of the year (mid-March through early June and November through early December)
  • Ability to be an independent learner and rater who utilizes available resources and can reflect on their own rating practices to then make changes accordingly
  • Rate ILS and PW samples accurately, reliably, and in a timely manner
  • Participate in norming sessions to prepare for the two busiest rating periods and in readiness activities to maintain the rating standards between busy periods
  • Be responsive to AAPPL quality assurance (QA) advisors for your language(s), as well as to ACTFL and LTI staff in support of rating and QA activities
  • Strong technology skills

Maintaining AAPPL Certification

Once a rater is certified, they maintain their certification under the following circumstances:

  • The rater maintains an active rating record
  • The rater maintains an acceptable interrater reliability rate
  • The rater participates in ACTFL-hosted readiness events (annual norming and/or a refresher event) as needed
  • The rater attends ACTFL-hosted virtual office hours, benchmarking activities, or focused re-norming activities based on the needs of the rater

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