Placement Testing Overview
Please complete all testing by May 15.
As a student in the Middlebury College Chinese School, you will take part in classes for your language skill level, and participate in activities with students of all levels. Courses are organized into five skill sections, from Beginner to Advanced. To place you at your appropriate language skill level, you are required to complete a set of placement exams. Admission to the Chinese School does not assume or guarantee placement in a particular level of instruction. Our main goal is to help you increase your ability to use Chinese as much as possible, within the eight-week session.
Your placement level will be determined by Chinese School teachers based on the results of assessments in reading, writing, and speaking. As your skills may be stronger in one area, i.e. writing or speaking, your placement will consider the level where each of your skills will be challenged and brought to balance.
You will be welcome to discuss your placement assignment with Chinese School teachers and director once classes begin and throughout the session. By enrolling in the Chinese School, you indicate your willingness to accept guidance from the School faculty and director as to your placement in the course level most appropriate to your needs and current proficiency level.
To get an idea of where you might place, please see: ACTFL Guide
Starting proficiency of students per level in general is outlined below:
Level 1 – Beginner to Novice Mid
Level 2 – Novice Mid to Intermediate Mid
Level 2.5 – Novice Mid to Intermediate High
Level 3 – Intermediate Low to Superior
Level 4 – Intermediate High to Superior
Placement testing will be done prior to the start of the session with notification of your placement level provided in time to purchase any required textbooks and materials. Grammar and reading tests will be done in our online testing system. A speaking proficiency check will be done in a live video conversation.
PLACEMENT TEST OVERVIEW
Please read these instructions carefully before beginning the test.
In order to take this test, you must have the following:
- An up-to-date web browser.
- A reliable internet connection.
- Your Middlebury student account and email (Item 2.2)
- Headphones or speakers so that you may hear the audio recordings.
- A microphone so that you may record your responses.
- A quiet environment in which you can record yourself speaking.
The exam has three components: speaking, grammar, reading.
Each will take between 30 minutes and about two hours. You may take a break or log in and out of the system in between components.
PLACEMENT TEST INSTRUCTIONS
Please complete all testing by May 15.
Detailed instructions and a link to the test will be sent to you by email, and posted below, and here: CS Placement Test Instructions 2023 (PDF)
In order to take this test, you must have the following:
- An up-to-date web browser.
- A reliable internet connection.
- Headphones or speakers so that you may hear the audio recordings.
- A microphone so that you may record your responses.
- A quiet environment in which you can record yourself speaking.
You must use your Middlebury email to access the online placement test, so please review the instructions to set up your Middlebury account (Item 2.2).
The exam has three components: grammar, reading, and speaking.
Each will take between 30 minutes and two hours. You may take a break or log in and out of the system in between components.
For the most accurate assessment of your skill, it is very important that you do not use any reference materials, such as dictionary and translation apps, information found online, textbooks, and any other outside assistance.
Please complete all testing by May 15.
ACCESS TO THE PLACEMENT EXAM
A Middlebury email account is required to access the Chinese School placement tests online.
Please follow the instructions at the link below to set up your student account.
https://prearrival.middcreate.net/students/lsmidd/checklist/ (Item 2.2)
- With your Middlebury username and password, go to: https://middlebury.instructure.com/enroll/EDBBE3
- Log in using your Middlebury email username and password.
Tip: if you find yourself on the Canvas homepage, look for a link to the [language] testing site under Courses -> All Courses.
- Click “Join this course.”
- Select “Chinese School Language Assessments 2023.”
Please complete all tests by May 15.
PLACEMENT TEST RESULTS
When all test results have been processed, you will receive an email with your placement level in early June, in time for the purchase of any required textbooks. You will not receive specific placement test results or grades .
ASSISTANCE
If you cannot find the email to set up your Middlebury account:
Look in your Spam or Junk folder. If you still cannot find this email, please contact the Middlebury Technology Helpdesk – call 802-443-2200 or email helpdesk@middlebury.edu.
If you cannot remember your Middlebury username or password:
Follow instructions at the Middlebury Technology Helpdesk for assistance.
If you encounter any sort of technical difficulty in accessing or taking the assessment:
Please click on the Help button in the left menu to access Canvas’s truly exemplary support services! If after contacting Canvas Support, you remain unable to complete and submit the assessment, please contact us at chineseschool@middlebury.edu.
IMPORTANT NOTES
- These tests are used solely to determine placement in the level that is most appropriate for you. Your performance on the placement tests does not affect your grades in any way.
- For the most accurate assessment of your skill, it is very important that you do not use any reference materials, such as dictionary and translation apps, information found online, textbooks, and any other outside assistance.
- You may only access each exam once, and should remain online the entire time.
- Tests are available in both simplified and traditional characters; choose one.
- You will not receive actual exam scores or results. Your level assignment will be sent to your Middlebury email after you have completed all required placement testing. If all required testing is complete by the deadlines, you will receive your level placement in early June.
- Beginner students: The placement test is optional.
- For technical assistance, please contact the Middlebury Technology HelpDesk
helpdesk@middlebury.edu
802-443-2200
FINAL PLACEMENT ASSIGNMENT
As soon as all assessments have been completed and reviewed, we will send you an email to your Middlebury email address with your assigned placement level best suited for your current skills. You are welcome meet with us to review your placement and any questions you may have.
Please complete all testing by May 15.
