by J. Forbes

Created on: May 20, 2008

Key Techniques and Strategies Needed By Both Students and Teachers to Pass a Proficiency Exam in A Foreign Language

Certain people are sometimes born with an undeniable adeptness or ability for learning language, be it foreign or native. However, it is not just what people are born with that can help them totally learn and eventually become proficient in a language. For example, there are certain techniques and strategies taught by language teachers that help one to both become proficient and therefore pass a Proficiency Exam in a specific language. These techniques are literally imperative to know, in order to learn and ultimately understand the language as a whole. Furthermore, there are not only techniques and strategies that need to be known by the students learning the language, but also by the teachers teaching it. Teachers need to have general classroom knowledge, and the ability to run and maintain a proper learning environment.

Every method and tactic used is based on four areas of concentration, all of which are important as the next: Reading Comprehension, Listening Comprehension, Speaking Comprehension, and Writing Comprehension. In order to pass the Proficiency exam in the target language, proficiency in these four areas is not only necessary, but also required.
In the foreign language classroom, many things can be done by teachers not only to better the all around comprehension of their students, but also to better the environment in which their comprehending takes place. Firstly, foreign language teachers need to assist their pupils in finding their own specific comprehension plans, and need to expand upon students' aptitude to look at their own language comprehension. Secondly, in order for students to obtain proficiency, teachers must start by building on their language backgrounds and need to provide sorts of immersion times. ("Attaining High Levels of Proficiency: Challenges for Foreign Language Education in the United States," 1)
In addition, teachers need to give logical criticism routinely to better their students understanding of mistakes. (NEW YORK STATE ASSOCIATION OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHERS 1995 181) Teachers should have three main developmental techniques that are necessary for the success of themselves and their students: evaluating themselves, charting their own progress, and making sure to keep alive the original technique of student-teacher correspondence. (NEW YORK STATE ASSOCIATION OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHERS 1997, 5) Teachers

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