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Michigan teacher candidates for world language endorsements must achieve appropriate levels on the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language’s (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) or Oral Proficiency Interview – Computer (OPIc). This requirement is in addition to passing the appropriate world language test from the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification. The table below presents the minimum proficiency levels required to earn each of Michigan’s world language endorsements. It also presents the minimum proficiency levels required for an individual to receive a substitute permit to teach in a world language classroom.
Note: American Sign Language (ASL) is among Michigan's World Languages. While there is not a required Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) for ASL, candidates must successfully complete an ASL program through a Michigan approved preparation provider and demonstrate proficiency in ASL via one of the assessments linked in the table below.
| World Language | Endorsement Code | MTTC Required for Certification | Minimum Proficiency Level for Certification | Minimum Proficiency Level for Permits | Proficiency Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Sign Language | FS | No | See ASL Assessment Table | See ASL Assessment Table | See ASL Assessment Table |
| Anishinaabemowin | FN | No | Intermediate High | Intermediate Mid | Local assessment administered by the preparation institution |
| Arabic (Modern Standard) | FK | Yes | Intermediate High | Intermediate Mid | OPI/OPIc |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | FR | Yes | Intermediate High | Intermediate Mid | OPI/OPIc |
| French | FA | Yes | Advanced Low | Intermediate High | OPI/OPIc |
| German | FB | Yes | Advanced Low | Intermediate High | OPI/OPIc |
| Greek | FC | No | Intermediate High | Intermediate Mid | OPI/OPIc |
| Hebrew | FJ | No | Advanced Low | Intermediate High | OPI/OPIc |
| Italian | FH | Yes | Advanced Low | Intermediate High | OPI/OPIc |
| Japanese | FL | Yes | Intermediate High | Intermediate Mid | OPI/OPIc |
| Latin | FD | Yes | N/A | N/A | Local assessment administered by the preparation institution |
| Spanish | FF | Yes | Advanced Low | Intermediate High | OPI/OPIc |
| World Language - Other (Foreign Service Institute Category I & II Languages) |
FG | No | Advanced Low | Intermediate High | OPI/OPIc, where available |
| World Language - Other (Foreign Service Institute Category III & IV) |
FG | No | Intermediate High | Intermediate Mid | OPI/OPIc, where available |
Candidates should review the OPI Handbook before registering for the OPI at Language Testing International (LTI).
If a candidate has already taken the OPI and has met the minimum level required for a language, the OPI does not have to be taken again.
Teacher candidates who completed their educator preparation program through a Michigan educator preparation institution must obtain a PDF printout of their OPI results and submit the printout to their Michigan institution in accordance with instructions from the institution.
Teacher candidates who completed their educator preparation program at an educator preparation institution outside of Michigan must obtain a PDF printout of their OPI results and submit the printout to the Michigan Department of Education via one of the following ways:
