Preparation Program

for
Oral Proficiency Interview by Computer (OPIc)
Level: Intermediate

1. Course overview:
The OPIc is an internet-delivered test which provides valid and reliable oral proficiency
testing on a large scale. It was developed in response to the increased worldwide demand for
the testing of oral language proficiency. The internet-delivered assessment emulates the
"live" OPI, but delivery of questions is through a carefully designed program and via a
virtual avatar, allowing the test to be taken on demand and at a time convenient to the
candidate and proctor.
2. Course description:
The primary objective of this course is to prepare students for the ACTFL oral
proficiency interview and offer instruction and guided practice in speaking at the
intermediate level, as defined by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign
Languages Revised Guidelines (2012). The course which is designed for a group class will
concentrate on developing skills in elaborative description, narration in major time frames
(present, past, future), the ability to interact in social situations, and improvement of
student’s pronunciation. The course also focuses on learning the strategies on how to get a
high score in the actual OPIc test.
3. Learning goals:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Speak English with greater confidence and accuracy using major time frames;
2. Discuss personal and social topics with grammatical accuracy;
3. Ask and answer questions about a variety of topics, integrating fluency and speed in
answering questions;
4. Be fully familiar with the test process, test questions, and evaluation process.
This course will provide students with sufficient language practice to enable them to
obtain the proficiency level equivalent to Intermediate Mid or higher as defined by the
ACTFL Guidelines.
4. Course requirements:
The students are expected to:

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 1. Attend their classes regularly and maintain a 90% - 100% attendance in all their
classes;
2. Participate in all class activities (in-class activities and homework assignments);
3. Take the quizzes and progress tests.
5. Methodologies:
- Lecturing: The teacher delivers well-prepared lessons to help the students to acquire
or develop their skills and proficiency;
- Discussion: The teacher allows the students to express their opinion and ideas;
- Audio-communicative approach: The teacher institutes listening learning processes
with enhancement of communicative abilities;
- Demonstrating: The teacher states details and demonstrates how answers to problems
are arrived at;
- Collaborating and Role-play: The teacher allows the students to work with each other
in class activities;
- Oral presentation: The teacher gives opportunities for students to expose themselves
more in practicing the English language orally in front of the whole group;
- Self-Practice Method: The teacher gives students numerous opportunities to answer
sample test questions that may be found in the actual test.
6. Duration: 48 hours
7. Class schedule: 12/10, 26/10, 2/11, 16/11, 23/11, 7/12
Morning session: 8:00 – 12:00
Afternoon session: 13:00 – 17:00
8. Course materials
8.1. Class materials
Institutional materials designed by HFL
8.2. Others
[1]. Gille Cunningham & Jan Bell (2012), Face to Face Upper Intermediate - Work Book,

2nd Edition, Cambridge University Press.

[2]. Jean Yates (2012), Practice Makes Perfect English Conversation, McGraw Hill
Professional.
[3]. Collins (2011), Easy Learning English Conversation, Collins Press.

9. Course Outline

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 Date Morning Topics Afternoon Topics
12/10/19 Lesson 1. Introduction to Lesson 2. - Talking about
INTRODUCTION course, syllabus, WORK LIFE career planning and
rules job exploration;
Self-introduction: - Talking about your
- Talking about work experiences;
your personal - Describing your
profile, educational workplace;
background; - Describing the
- Describing your company or
work and talking organization you
about your work for;
responsibilities at - Describing a
the workplace; company project
- Talking about a you did recently.
typical day at work.

26/10/19 Lesson 3. FAMILY - Describing your Lesson 4. - Describing your

AND HOME family ACTIVITIES daily routines;
relationships; AND - Describing your
- Describing your INTERESTS hobbies and
home and home interests;
environment; - Talking about your
- Talking about leisure activities /
your family socializing
activities / activities;
household chores; - Presenting
- Talking about opinions about
your various types of
neighbourhood. hobbies / interests.

2/11/19 Lesson 5. - Describing Lesson 6: - Describing your

HEALTH AND activities you do for TRANSPORT commuting habits;
FITNESS your health or AND TRAVEL - Describing the
fitness; transport system for
- Talking about commuters in your
various types of

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 physical activities city or country;
and sports; - Talking about
- Talking about transport problems
ways to keep fit; and solutions;
- Talking about - Talking about your
healthy lifestyles; travel experiences.
- Describing health - Progress test
problems and
suggesting
solutions.
16/11/19 Lesson 7: PLACES - Describing your Lesson 8: - Talking about your
favorite places; SEASONS AND favorite season;
- Describing a place HOLIDAYS - Talking about
you have recently weather and climate;
visited; - Talking about
- Describing your activities in different
hometown / city; kind of weather;
- Talking about - Describing your
places of interest. ideal holiday;
- Talking about a
memorable
holiday/vacation;
- Talking about
holiday activities;
- Talking about
public holidays /
special events in
your town / country.
23/11/19 Lesson 9: - Talking about new Lesson 10: - Describing
TECHNOLOGY technological DESCRIBING physical appearance
AND inventions and PEOPLE. and personality;
COMMUNICATION impacts in life and - Describing a
work; person who has the
- Talking about most influence in
means of your life;
communication you - Describing your
use; manager / best co-
- Describing your

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 utilization of new worker / best friend;
technologies / the - Talking about
internet; famous people;
- Talking about - Talking about your
benefits and opinions about a
problems of new global citizen.
technologies / the
internet;
- Talking about a
modern
technology /
invention that has
the most impacts in
your life.
7/12/19 Lesson 11: - Talking about Lesson 12: - Conducting peer
QUESTIONING problematic INTERVIEWS oral proficiency
AND GIVING situations and interviews;
ADVICE giving advice - OPIc simulation
- Role-playing test and feedback
various situations session