Case Studies: World Language Program

State University

A leading state university—providing a forum for research and education in more than 19 linguistic and literary traditions—uses OWL Testing Software to assess the oral proficiency of students around the world.

When a major state university wanted to enhance its internationally-known foreign language curriculum and increase student success, they chose OWL Testing Software. Foreign language study at the university includes at least one semester studying abroad. The faculty and administration needed a way to test all of the communications skills—oral, aural, reading, and writing—of their students before, during, and after their trips overseas.

OWL Testing Software provides the means to create, administer, and rate those tests—including simulated oral proficiency interviews—from anywhere in the world. Now, for example, Spanish language students are tested and assessed, while they are traveling in Chile, by their professor who may be in his home, office, or another country. OWL Testing Software not only makes the testing and assessment easier to create and manage, it captures the critical data necessary to measure the long-term success of both student and program, across all languages.

OWL Testing Software is helping the university to attract, retain, and graduate language students who are better prepared to lead and compete in a global economy.