The speaking proficiency outcomes of face-to-face and online intensive summer LCTL programs

This article is the first large-scale study to document the speaking proficiency outcomes of intensive programs in less commonly taught languages in US higher education. Speaking proficiency was measured by pre- and postprogram ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interviews (N = 484) in 14 languages: Arabic, Bengali, Brazilian Portuguese, Hindi, Indonesian, Kazakh, Persian, Tamil, Thai, Tibetan, Turkish, Urdu, Uyghur, and Uzbek. The intensive programs are usually taught face-to-face but were offered fully online during the COVID-19 pandemic. No significant difference in speaking proficiency outcomes, as measured by the ACTFL OPI, was found between the face-to-face and online formats. Students at all levels of instruction made significant gains in speaking proficiency, with greater gains made by students in Level 1 than at Levels 2-3, and with wide variation within instructional levels. The average speaking proficiency outcomes were Advanced Low (Level 3), Intermediate High (Level 2), and between Intermediate Low and Intermediate Mid (Level 1). What gains in speaking proficiency can students in intensive postsecondary language programs expect to make? Do students make similar gains when those programs are offered online? This article uses pre- and postprogram ACTFL OPI ratings from face-to-face and online intensive programs in 14 less commonly taught languages to find out.