The ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) is a valid and reliable means of assessing how well a person speaks a language.  The OPI is proficiency-based. It assesses the ability to use language effectively and appropriately in real-life situations.  It assesses spontaneous unrehearsed language.

The OPI is a 20-30 minute one-on-one interview between a certified ACTFL tester and an examinee. It is interactive and speaker centered which means that each OPI is a unique experience. The tester will adjust their approach to the OPI based on the evidence of proficiency they are able to identify in the test taker’s performance. Like any conversation, there is an interactive negotiation of meaning between the 2 participants—the tester and the test taker.