What is AAPPL Communication Builder?

AAPPL Communication Builder (CB) provides the opportunity to practice reading, writing, and spoken conversation in any language, on any topic, at different ACTFL proficiency levels. Communication Builder is an online language learning environment that extends the traditional classroom experience and facilitates self-guided learning. Teachers can assign Presentational Writing, Interpretive Reading and Listening, and Interpersonal Speaking tasks (i.e. audio or video conversations, reading and writing tasks) in the target language either by scripting, producing and uploading original content or by searching the pool of publicly-available tasks. AAPPL CB records students' spoken and written responses and allows the teacher to retrieve them back to provide feedback.

Why is the AAPPL CB being sunset?

AAPPL Communication Builder (AAPPL CB) will initiate the process to sunset its platform and services for a variety of reasons, which include market demands, technology innovation, and development driving changes. Starting June 1st, 2021, ACTFL will no longer accept new subscriptions to the platform. While the AAPPL CB has reached the end of its product life cycle, ACTFL acknowledges the importance of continuing to provide resources and access to educators who are currently using the platform to provide opportunities for their learners to perform reading, writing, and spoken communication. Furthermore, we will continue to search for new ways to support educators in integrating technology tools in pedagogically sound and meaningful ways to learn languages.

When is the last day I can access the AAPPL CB?

No AAPPL CB subscriptions (Pro and Pro Premium) will be sold after June 1st, 2021. However, all educators that have purchased the subscription prior to this date, will have access to the platform and services until September 1st, 2021.

Will my students have access to the platform?

Yes, Learners and Learner Plus access will continue to be available until August 31st, 2021.

Can I get a refund for my AAPPL CB subscription?

All AAPPL CB subscriptions with remaining months after September 1st, 2021 will have the right to receive a refund, credit, or donate the prorated funds to ACTFL. All funds donated to ACTFL will be used towards the development of materials and resources for the language educator community. Any prorated amount will not be processed automatically. Users must request a refund via email to support@actfl.org by August 31st, 2021.

Is ACTFL still providing support to educators and learners?

ACTFL will continue to provide IT support for any bug fixes, website maintenance, and workarounds for critical bugs when reported via email to the ACTFL team. Please contact us at support@actfl.org for any support or questions you may have.

What will happen with the AAPPL CB?

ACTFL will continue to search for new ways to improve the AAPPL CB platform and services to better support educators in integrating technology tools in pedagogically sound and meaningful ways to learn languages. Our goal is to provide an update mid-2022 on what the future of the AAPPL CB will be. This update will be based on feedback from members, market research, educator needs, and development, among other factors.

For any additional questions or concerns, please email us at support@actfl.org

What is AAPPL Communication Builder's connection to AAPPL Measure assessments?

The ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL) is addresses the World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages and uses today's communication media in which test takers perform tasks such as participating in a virtual video chat, creating wikis, e-mailing, and using apps to demonstrate language ability. The Communication Builder allows instructors to create a similar interaction thereby giving students significant practice and, more importantly, helping them to improve proficiency.

Why to Use Communication Builder?

• Provides learners opportunities for extended Interpersonal Listening/Speaking (ILS), Interpretive Listening/Reading (IL/IR), and Presentational Writing (PW) practice
• Complements lesson plans and curriculum
• Simulates tasks found on the ACTFL Assessment of Performance (AAPPL)
• To create low-stake practice for language learners
• To collaborate with colleagues and groups of language learners

Who can use it?

Anyone can use AAPPL Communication Builder for free. However, some features require a subscription.

What can teachers do?

• Create Classrooms
• Create Tasks or Pick a Public Task
• Assign Tasks to Learners (individuals or classroom)
• Review learners' responses and provide Feedback

See the Tutorials* page for more information on how to use features of AAPPL Communication Builder. *New Tutorials currently under development.

How many tasks can be created?

With a Participant account, you can create up to six tasks and assign them to students. With a Full account you can create an unlimited number of private tasks. With either a Participant or Full account, you can create an unlimited number of public tasks. Since you cannot delete shared public tasks, you can delete a private task once you have reached a maximum number of tasks created. However, once you delete your private task, all responses and feedback with that task will be removed as well. Also, you won't receive Participation Points on private tasks.

As a teacher, what is a good way to familiarize myself with AAPPL Communication Builder?

AAPPL Communication Builder website is designed to be a collaborative tool. However, when first learning how to use the various functions of AAPPL Communication Builder, you may wish to work on your own. Do so by using a Participant account (basic teacher functions) to create tasks and familiarize yourself with the teacher's environment. Then, create a Basic or Learner account (student functions) to assign the tasks you created and experience the student's view. Once you have both accounts, you'll be able to work with the major teacher functions of assigning content and providing feedback.