Praxis Subject Assessment: French: World Language (5174)

This test is designed to measure the knowledge, skills, and abilities of examinees who have had preparation in a program for teaching French in grades K-12. Because programs in teaching French are offered at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, this test is appropriate for examinees at either level. All sections of this test are at the Advanced Low level, as described in the proficiency guidelines of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). This test integrates listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills, as well as linguistic and cultural knowledge, through active participation in a variety of questions in the interpretive modes (in the Listening and Reading sections) and in the interpersonal and presentational modes (in the Writing and Speaking sections). The Listening and Reading sections of the test are composed of selected-response questions, whereas the Writing and Speaking sections are composed of constructed-response tasks. All questions and answer choices are in French and are based on various genres of authentic material, whether written or in audio format, from various French-speaking regions of the world. This is a computer-based test with sections of various lengths and time constraints. All sections of the test are separately timed. While the time allotted in the Reading and Writing sections is managed by the candidate, timing is computer-controlled throughout the Listening and Speaking sections. Before beginning the Listening section, the candidate will participate in a practice exercise reflecting the type of questions in the Listening section. Similarly, there is a writing practice exercise before the Writing section to acquaint candidates with a special character toolbar that they will be using to type their individual responses in French.