Language Learning Resource Center
PLACEMENT TESTING TIMES
Winter Breakr 2009
Placement Exams | Standard Course Sequence | 300-Level Proficiency Examinations for Credit | Proficiency in Languages Other than French, German, and Spanish
Proficiency and Placement Examinations in Modern Languages
The normal way in which COLA students demonstrate proficiency in a modern language is to take a sequence of five courses-101, 102, 103, 201, and 202-in French, German or Spanish. Students who begin their language study at a level above 101 may NOT go back and take lower-level courses for credit except in extraordinary cases in which they receive permission from the Chair. Students may begin the sequence at the level of their proficiency (as determined by a placement test), but once they begin they may NOT skip courses in the sequence. Students who attempt to do so will not be allowed to enroll.
Guidelines for Placement, Proficiency, and Exemption from the College of Liberal Arts (CoLA) Language Requirement
Students interested in majoring or minoring in French, German, Spanish, or Modern Languages who wish to be placed higher than 101 (and all students wishing to be placed beyond 101 in ANY foreign language) should consult the Department of Modern Languages web pages. For information not provided below, please contact the department: 325 Millett Hall; 775-2641.
All students please NOTE the following possibilities and restrictions:
- Place into 201 (for example)
- Achieve a 'C' or better and
- You can buy back credits for courses below that level at $25/credit hour.*
Note 1 Achieve marks of 460 (SPN) or 415 (GER&FR) and you are placed into 202; achieve a 'C' or better in that class, and you have fulfilled your CoLA requirement. Note 2 If you place beyond these levels on the placement exam: see the next two columns.
Take the Placement exam.
If you make in the region of:
-- 500 in Spanish or
-- 475 in French or German
- You are placed into SPN FR GER 203,
- Take 203, achieve a 'C' or better and you can buy back credits from 101-202.
- Do NOT take 203, and you canNOT buy back credits. But you are exempted from the CoLA language requirement.
- You must have the ML chair send a memo to Assistant Dean Beth Klaisner, with a copy to the Chair of your major department.
You may take the PROFICIENCY EXAM (an oral and/or written exam) to receive credit for up to 12 hours from:
one of 311, 312, 313 (conversation) and two of 321, 322, 323 (composition)
Advanced speakers can receive grades for all three courses. Native speakers can also receive up to 12 hours' total credit, but can receive grades only for the two composition courses.
Fees:
- Pay $25 at bursar's office before the exam.
- Non-native speakers: with a grade of 'B' or better, you can receive grades for $25/credit hour.
PLEASE NOTE: no matter what your major is, it is Department POLICY that you may buy back credits ONLY at EITHER the 100-200 level OR the 300 level. When you have decided on the option that best fits your situation, you will be asked to sign the statement of intention and agreement (in the department, 325 Millett).
Time and Place for Placement Exams - (STUDENTS: Please bring your ID card!)
See link at top of page for placement times. These times include periods when the University is on break, whether it be the long Winter Break in December or during Spring Break in March. Come to the Department of Modern Languages office (325 Millett) and you will be shown to the lab and registered; do NOT come after the last times listed above, as you might not have enough time to complete the test. Remember that placement into any course above 101 gives you the right to buy back credits (at $25 per hour) for courses below which you have been placed. See Guidelines" above for more detailed information.
300-Level Proficiency Examinations for Credit
Students at an advanced level of language ability may take an oral and a written test to receive credit for the following courses: 203 (comprehensive grammar class), 312 (Conversation), 321 and 322 (Composition). Before taking these exams, students must fill out paperwork at the Department of Modern Languages and pay a $25 fee at the Bursar's Office.
Students who pass the examinations with at least a B will receive grades for these courses upon payment of a fee of $25 per credit hour at the Bursar's Office.
Proficiency in Languages Other than French, German and Spanish
Students who claim their native language as English but would like to take a proficiency exam in a language other than French, German, or Spanish, may do so by arrangement with the department. (WSU faculty members outside the department who are fluent in these languages usually administer these exams.) Students can take one of these exams to exempt themselves from the COLA foreign language requirement.
Students who pass the examinations with at least a B will receive grades for these courses upon payment of a fee of $25 per credit hour at the Bursar's Office.
Students who claim a language other than English as their native language may complete their COLA foreign language requirement by taking one of several 300-level English courses (ENG 350-ENG 359), or by taking a proficiency exam administered by that department. These students should contact the English Department at 775-3136.