Effective October 1st, 2011, teacher candidates applying for Spanish designated assignments with Denver Public Schools will be required to successfully complete a Spanish language proficiency exam facilitated by Berlitz Languages, Inc.

Cost and reimbursement process

The first attempt (speaking, reading, and writing) costs $150.00. Once a candidate successfully completes the exam and is hired to perform in the capacity of an ELA-S designated assignment, they can submit a request for reimbursement. 

DPS will reimburse for the first attempt at the assessment, but only after the full exam has been successfully completed. Additional retakes of any part of the SLP exam will not be reimbursed.

Teacher helping students in a computer classroom.

About the exam

Administered by Berlitz, the Spanish Language Proficiency (SLP) Exam for teachers consists of three components: speaking skills, reading comprehension, and writing skills.

Candidates new to Denver Public Schools or internal teachers who change assignments into ELA-S positions must pass all portions of the SLP Exam to be considered by the Department of Human Resources as Spanish-qualified applicants.

If an applicant fails any portion of the exam, they are allowed to retake that portion of the test only two more times within a school year. Applicants are recommended to wait 30 days between test administrations.

A computer with a webcam and a USB-connected headset with a microphone is required to complete the exam. At the start of the test, you will be asked to complete an ID check. The testing platform also uses monitoring and security measures throughout the session to help ensure the integrity of the exam.

 
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Results and passing scores

The Berlitz Simulated Oral Proficiency Interview (SOPI) is an oral proficiency testing system designed to accurately measure the examinee’s oral communicative ability in a professional setting.

The SOPI includes six scenarios in which the examinee speaks with a native Spanish speaker. For each scenario, the examinee reads and listens to a description and sees a picture on the computer of the person or people they will address. They then have 15 to 40 seconds to prepare their response and 30 to 90 seconds to speak.

This 20 minute test of speaking skills is delivered via a computer-based platform. The Berlitz SOPI combines the efficiency and reliability of online administration with the validity of human scoring.

The passing score is a B2 on the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) Scale.

The Berlitz Writing Proficiency Exam (WPE) is a 60 minute assessment of writing skills.

The Berlitz WPE consists of 3 prompts that were chosen based upon research as the most relevant and authentic in a general professional context. Examinees will be given access to a virtual keyboard for Spanish.

The passing score is a High B1 on the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) Scale.

The reading test consists of five paragraphs with 25 questions. Examinees are given 30 minutes to complete the reading comprehension portion.

The passing score is 18 correct answers minimum using a DPS 1-25 possible reading comprehension answer test.

Denver Public Schools and Examinees will receive results within 5 business days of the test date.