You will be evaluated twice a semester (at mid-term and at the end) by an outside examiner, i.e. a qualified instructor of the language in an established university level program.

• Utterance formulation time: How long does it take you to express yourself? Are you consciously constructing utterances word by word and applying one rule after another, or can you express yourself smoothly and automatically?
  
  
• Fluency: Once formulated, is the utterance fluent, or jerky and hesitant?
  
  
• Pronunciation: Can you approximate the pronunciation of a native-speaker and be understood by him or her?
  
  
• Comprehension: How many times do you have to ask for repetitions? How long does it take for you to understand?
  
  
• Usage: Do you know the appropriate thing to say, depending on the communication?
  
  
• Vocabulary: Can you use and understand the vocabulary studied?
  
  

While this may seem a bit demanding, it is the best way to evaluate your mastery. The entire course has been focused on speaking and comprehension-learning to use the language for communication. The test will be fair and to the point. If you have understood the goals of the ALSO Program, and if you have practiced appropriately, the test is simply a normal, natural extension of what you have been doing all along. You might even enjoy it.

However, it is natural that you might be a bit nervous. Your examiner will be well aware of this, and every effort will be made to make you feel as comfortable as possible. The examiner's role is to let you know where you stand as far as your language mastery is concerned. He or she will not use grammar or vocabulary that you have not studied. Even if you are a bit nervous, you must realize the importance of professional feedback on your progress in the language.