13 FAH-1 H-230
LANGUAGE TESTING
(CT:FSIH-05; 02-24-2012)
(Office of Origin: FSI)
13 FAH-1 H-231 Updating Test Scores
(CT:FSIH-05; 02-24-2012)
(Uniform State/USAID)
(Applies to Foreign Service Employees Only)
a. The Language Skills Inventory, which is a list of
FSI test scores, is the sole source of language information used in making
assignments to designated positions. Only scores less than five years old will
be considered valid if below S-4/R-4 (see 13 FAH-1 H-212 (c)). The
Language Skills Inventory lists each employee's highest score as well as his or
her most recent score. Recent scores, even if they are lower, are valuable in
determining how much refresher training might be necessary to bring the officer
up to the required level. Therefore, it is to the advantage of officers to
present themselves from time to time for retesting in all languages in which
they have some proficiency. This will provide the Department and USAID management
with the timely language skill information they need in making foreign
assignments and to keep the officers competitive for language-designated
positions.
b. Retesting is not required in a language in which an
employee has previously achieved a FSI-tested proficiency of S-4/R-4 or better.
c. Normally, tests will be given after six months or
100 hours of intensive language instruction sponsored by the Department.
d. Language testing
performed on behalf of the Board of Examiners (HR/REE/BEX) as part of the
hiring process for Foreign Service Personnel yields pass/fail scores based on
HR criteria applied at the time of recruitment. These passing BEX telephone
test scores are valid for 18 months from the date the test was given and
scored.
13 FAH-1 H-232 FSI Tests in the Field
(CT:FSIH-05; 02-24-2012)
(Uniform State/USAID)
(Applies to Foreign Service Employees Only)
a. Official FSI language proficiency tests in the field
are authorized by FSI/Washington or by one of its field representatives, in
consultation with appropriate authorities at post, when one of the following
criteria is met:
(1) A test in the field is demonstrably beneficial
to the U.S. Government. For example, when the Department or USAID requires
current information for a decision on direct transfer of the candidate to a
position in which the language is needed and when information is needed on the
current proficiency of an occupant, or a potential occupant, of a
language-designated position; or
(2) Postponement of a language test until the
employee's next consultation in Washington would result in personal hardship. For
example, when removal of language limitation for promotion of a junior officer
or lateral entrant or the award of an incentive salary increase is at stake and
when an officer is transferred directly out of the language area and wishes to
record a possible maximum proficiency.
b. Normally, such tests will not be given less than six
months after any previous FSI test in the same language or within six months of anticipated home leave,
except when an incentive salary increase (see 3
FAH-1 H-3910) or
removal of language limitation for promotion is at stake.
c. FSI tests may be given abroad; in other cases, only
upon specific authorization by FSI/Washington (and USAID for USAIS employees).
13 FAH-1 H-233 through H-239 unassigned