Language FAQs

Questions
1. Do I have to know a second language to be admitted at Thunderbird?
2. What level of language skill is required?
3. May I use any language to satisfy the graduation requirement?
4. Does Thunderbird accept transfer credits from other schools?
5. May I take language classes at Thunderbird?
6. Which languages does Thunderbird offer?
7. May I satisfy the language requirement in any language?
8. Which languages does the OPI test measure?
9. May I retake the OPI?
10. Does Thunderbird accept language tests other than the OPI?
11. When should I take the language proficiency test?
12. Must I take the preparatory intensive program at Thunderbird?
13. How long is the intensive program?
14. What is the difference between the intensive program and the classes in the degree program?
15. When I have completed the language requirement, may I take more advanced courses?
16. What if I complete all my degree requirements but have not passed the language proficiency test?
17. Where do I register for the OPI?
18. Where do I go to take the OPI exam?
19. How do I get my results?
20. What do my results mean?
21. May I take the OPI for more than one language?
22. If I have satisified the language requirement, can I still study another language?

Answers

1. Do I have to know a second language to be admitted at Thunderbird?

Answer. Language is not an admission requirement. For the MBA in Global Management, MA-GM and MS-GM you must have demonstrable skills in a second language upon graduation.

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2. What level of language skill is required?

Answer. Thunderbird requires a speaking proficiency of at least intermediate- high for languages in group 1 and intermediate- low for languages in group 2 on the ACTFL OPI oral proficiency scale. That is equivalent to 1+ and 1 on the FSI language test. Two years or more of undergraduate college coursework may be needed to attain this proficiency.

Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Dutch Arabic Mandarin
French Cantonese Polish
German Croatian Russian
Indonesian Czech Serbian
Italian Hebrew Slovak
Portuguese Japanese Thai
Spanish Korean Turkish
Swedish
Please check the LTI site for other languages.

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3. May I use any language to satisfy the graduation requirement?

Answer. You may satisfy the requirement with any language listed above in Group 1 and Group 2 in addition to any language for which there is an Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) offered by ACTFL.

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4. Does Thunderbird accept transfer credits from other schools?

Answer. No. Thunderbird does not accept transfer credits.

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5. May I take language classes at Thunderbird?

Answer.Yes.

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6. Which languages does Thunderbird offer?

Answer.
Elective courses: You may take Mandarin-Chinese, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Russian, or Portuguese. These courses are available during the academic year. Spanish is also offered during Winterim.

Intensive Language Programs (ILP): Mandarin Chinese and Spanish are offered in intensive, six-hour-a-day, two-week modules for a total of eight-weeks (Modules 1-4) during the summer.

Advanced Spanish or French: Advanced instruction in Spanish and French is available each trimester.

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7. May I satisfy the language requirement in any language?

Answer. You may satisfy the requirement in any language for which there is an Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) offered by ACTFL.

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8. Which languages does the OPI test measure?

Answer. Please check the LTI (www.languagetesting.com) website for an accurate listing of languages tested.

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9. May I retake the OPI?

Answer. Yes, you may retake it as often as you wish at your expense. You must wait three months between retesting.

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10. Does Thunderbird accept language tests other than the OPI?

Answer. The Foreign Service Institute exam and the Peace Corps language certificate are accepted provided that the score is equivalent to Thunderbird's requirement and the test is administered within six months prior to starting a degree program.

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11. When should I take the language proficiency test?

Answer. The Garvin Center for Cultures and Languages will be coordinating OPI scheduling of exams during a student's entering trimester at Thunderbird. OPI exams may be scheduled within the first 8 weeks of each trimester.

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12. Must I take the preparatory intensive program at Thunderbird?

Answer. No.

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13. How long is the intensive program?

Answer. This 8-week program consists of four consecutive modules of two weeks each. If you have no language skills, you must start with the first module. If you have proficiency in the language then you will be required to take the OPI exam to determine placement in the correct module. Please contact Bianca Archambeau at 602-978-7269 or Language@thunderbird.edu for information regarding scheduling an OPI.

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14. What is the difference between the intensive program and the classes in the degree program?

Answer. The content is the same. No credits are given for the Intensive Language Program and you concentrate on learning the language full-time. Classes in the degree program are electives for credit and you take other classes at the same time.

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15. When I have completed the language requirement, may I take more advanced courses?

Answer. Advanced French and Spanish courses are offered.

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16. What if I complete all my degree requirements but have not passed the language proficiency test?

Answer. You must demonstrate language proficiency in order to graduate.

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17. Where do I register for the OPI?

Answer. You may register on-line at www.languagetesting.com

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18. Where do I go to take the OPI exam?

Answer. The OPI exam will be taken in the Garvin Center, conference room 23.

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19. How do I get my results?

Answer. Results are sent directly to Thunderbird and can take up to 5 days. Bianca Archambeau, your Thunderbird language contact, will email test results to students within 5-7 days after taking the OPI exam.

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20. What do my results mean?

Answer. A rating of intermediate high satisifes the language requirement for Group 1 languages. This is the equivalent of completing 6 elective credits in language.

A rating of intermediate low satisifes the language requirement for Group 2. This is the equivalent of completing 6 elective credits in language.

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21. May I take the OPI for more than one language?

Answer. Yes.

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22. If I have satisified the language requirement, can I still study another language?

Answer. Yes. You may take any language in which offer we offer courses. Please contact your Academic Advisor regarding your degree program requirements and language credits.

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