Alondra Pacheco, AATSP 9-12 Representative
Spanish Teacher, University School, Hunting Valley

AATSP National Spanish Examinations (NSE) offers a variety of assessment tools that encourage students to develop their language skills. In 2022, AATSP partnered with Lingco Language Labs to host all its national language exams through their platform. By using Lingco Language Labs, teachers can access premade modules that cover material designed for a specific learner’s level. One of the many features available through Lingco is enhanced feedback that allows a student to see why an answer was incorrect and guide them in the right direction. Lingco also has an integrated gradebook, with the option to create multiple sections, that allows teachers to see up-to-date grades for their classes. Students can delight in a myriad of practice exercises, culturally relevant audios and readings, and well-structured grammar practice.

The NSE remains as the most widely used Spanish test in the United States. This exam is a motivational competition to recognize student achievement. The NSE is a standards-based assessment that evaluates both content standards and performance standards. Students who participate are able to receive medal placement (gold, silver, bronze, and honorable mention) based on their scores. The NSE is available for grades 6-12 and offers levels 01-6. The test is divided into two sections: achievement and proficiency.  It takes a total of 80 minutes to complete. The registration opens in early November with the testing window opening in March. Similarly to the NSE, the National Portuguese Exam (NPE) is available to grades 6 th -12 th and is divided into two sections. The NPE offers levels 1-4 and registration begins in November.

The NSE/NPE also offers students the opportunity to further their studies by applying for several types of scholarships. The Global Citizen Scholarship offers language immersion opportunities for students at a virtual camp and at Concordia Language Villages in Minnesota. The Junior Travel Abroad Scholarship offers high school juniors travel, immersion, and volunteering opportunities in Spanish-speaking countries abroad. Past locations include Spain, Puerto Rico, and Acosta Rica among others. The Senior Scholarship awards monetary prizes to qualifying high school seniors who have placed Gold, Silver or Bronze in the NSE or the NPE in their junior year. Also, teachers who administer the NSE are eligible to apply for the Teacher Travel Scholarship to Guatemala. In addition, Lingco generously gives 2 teacher travel stipends to attend AATSP’s summer conference.

Challenge your students to test their knowledge with one of AATSP’s exams. Your students will greatly benefit from the practice exercises available to prepare for the exams. Also, there are several ways that students can be recognized for their outstanding achievement such as hosting an award ceremony to hand out medals and certificates. The NSE and NPE are great tools to highlight the strengths of your school’s language program.