Outline
Part I Speaking
1. Strategies
2. Sample Dialogue
Volunteer for the dialogue… This is
when you call!
Part II Listening Comprehension
1. Strategies
2. Example
Outline
Part III Reading Comprehension
1. Strategies
2. Examples of each section
Outline
Part IV Writing
1. The Rubric… What is expected?
2. Strategies
3. Student Samples
4. Grammar… With what do you
need help?
Proficiency Exam Outline
Part I: Speaking
30 credits
Part II: Listening Comprehension
40 credits
Part III: Reading Comprehension
20 credits
Part IV: Writing
10 credits
Oral Dialogue
Part I Strategies
1. Do not give just yes/no responses
2. Do not restate all or essential parts of
what the teacher has just said.
3. When you are stuck, say something in
Spanish. Silence is very uncomfortable.
Oral Dialogue
Part I Strategies
1. Each utterance must be a Checkpoint A
idea. This can be achieved by adding…
but, because, or by adding a question
after your simple response.
2. Do not go to the main point
immediately. Put yourself in the
situation and expand the conversation.
What is Checkpoint A?
• understand simple material for informative or
social purposes;
• understand the essential content of standardized
messages and short, general, public
statements;
• comprehend the main idea of text written in
simple structure and syntax when they
can rely on visual cues and prior familiarity with
the topic;
• understand simple language containing only the
highest frequency grammatical patterns
and vocabulary items;
• sometimes guess at cognates and highly
contextualized unfamiliar vocabulary; and
• read the material several times in order to
achieve understanding.
Ejemplos...
Teacher:
Student:
¿Quieres ir de compras?
• No, gracias. Voy a estudiar.
• Sí. Necesito comprar una camisa
• Está bien. ¿Cuándo?
Student Dialogue Sample
(Student Initiates)
You are at a store in (country) and you
want to buy a gift for your host family. I
am the sales clerk. I will suggest some
items and you will tell me how you fell
about the suggestions.
Useful Expressions
Es un placer.
No hay de qué.
Estoy seguro.
No te preocupes.
Es una lástima.
Es una buena idea.
Estoy de acuerdo.
Me gustaría/Quisiera
It is a pleasure.
You are welcome.
I am sure.
Don’t worry.
It is a pity.
It is a good idea.
I agree.
I would like...
Dialogue Sample 1
(Teacher initiates)
I am your friend. We are planning a party.
We will talk about what each of us will do
to prepare for it. I will start the
conversation.
Dialogue Sample 2
(Teacher initiates)
I am your host parent in Mexico. We
are talking about your plans for the
future. I will start the conversation.
Dialogue Sample 3
(Student initiates)
I am your friend. We are planning a
day at the beach. You start the
conversation.
Dialogue Sample 4
(Student Initiates)
I am your teacher in Costa Rica.
You have a report that is due
tomorrow, but you need additional
time to complete the assignment.
You start the conversation.
Part II Listening Comprehension
Part 2a
20 points
* 10 short listening passages in the target language
read by teacher with multiple choice questions in
English.
Part 2b
10 points
* 5 short listening passages in the target language
read by teacher with multiple choice questions in target
language.
Part 2c
10 points
* 5 short listening passages in the target language
read by teacher with questions in English and with
multiple choice answers in picture format.
Strategies for Listening Comprehension
Do not read questions or answers while the
teacher is reading the paragraph.
Deduce the answer by focusing on key words
used in context which will lead you to the
correct answer.
Eliminate the answers that you do not hear.
Do not focus on dates and names.
Strategies for Listening Comprehension
Do not try to translate as the teacher is
reading.
Never leave a blank answer… give it your
best guess.
Never change an answer once you have
moved from this question.
Part III Reading Comprehension
Part A – 6 multiple choice questions,
responses in English
Part B – 4 multiple choice questions,
responses in Spanish
Part III Reading Comprehension
•Read through the passage completely to
find the main idea.
•Read a second time with the intent to
find the answer to the specific question.
•Do not assume that words in the reading
are repeated in the answer.
Part III Reading Comprehension
•Relate the main idea with vocabulary that
you already know and deduce the
meaning of other words by how they are
used in the paragraph.
•Look for cognates and root words to
assist you in finding the answer.
Part III Reading Comprehension
Focus on “tone” and theme of the writing.
Look for supporting details.
Think of the intention of the writer… not
just the literal meaning of the passage.
Writing - Part IV
Select two of the three possible tasks
Each writing must contain 30 or more
words to earn full credit for length.
When you write 30 words, write 10 more.
Writing Strategies
Avoid exaggeration and humor.
Make sure all information relates to purpose.
Make sure your writing is Checkpoint B level.
Do not cut yourself short - plan to write 40-50
words
Transitional words…
antes (before)
primero (first)
al principio (at the beginning)
entonces (then)
luego (then, later)
más tarde (later)
próximo (next)
sin embargo (however)
finalmente (finally)
en resumen (in summary)
Cosas que hacer antes del examen
Read Spanish, listen to Spanish, or watch Spanish
television!
Speak Spanish with someone!
Study Regents vocabulary and expressions!
Don’t “cram” grammar!
Be rested, alert and patient!
Say to yourself… I am prepared!