Does being fluent=reading, writing, AND speaking?

[xInspiredx]

1) I know that some schools will give an applicant extra points if they are fluent in another language, but does this mean reading, writing, and speaking? What if I am only able to speak the language? I know that you wouldn't really need to read an uncommon language while on the job all that much, but technically, being fluent means being able to read, write, and speak it.

2) Is there a certification that I would need to complete in order to prove that I am fluent? I have taken 6 years of Spanish, and consider myself to be an advanced speaker and writer. However, sometimes I can forget a few words here and there, so technically, that's not really being fluent I guess...?

Thank you!

[P B and J]

Dictionary.com says

fluent:1. spoken or written with ease: fluent french.

2. able to speak or write smoothly, easily, or readily: a fluent speaker; fluent in six languages.

If you are pretty easily able to speak and write, I'd say you are fluent. Forgetting a word here and there is nothing, heck, I forget English words lol :)

[xInspiredx]

^Thanks P B and J for that reply!

Does anyone know if we need a certification though? Any more replies would be greatly appreciated. :)

[Bobmo88]

It varies from place to place. For the program I got accepted to, it was for Spanish specifically. You either had to have taken AP Spanish in high school (within 3 years), at least 3 years of High school Spanish (within 3 years) at least intermediate Spanish in college (within 5 years), gotten a certain score on the CLEP, or documented proof from someone like a member of the clergy, employer, community leader, or faculty for native speakers. Do I think any of these necessarily mean you're fluent? Not really but as long as you meet the requirements you might as well take advantage of it. ¡Suerte!