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foreign language placement/waiver exam

 

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE EXAM?

Southern requires that each student take at least three credits in a foreign language as part of its general education requirements to prove a defined written and oral proficiency in a foreign language, a level II proficiency for students in a bachelor of science program and a level-IV proficiency for students in a bachelor of arts program.  Students can prove this proficiency by taking the foreign language exam or by taking courses.  The placement/waiver exam will either place you to an appropriate level of foreign language course or waive your language requirement.

 

DO I NEED TO TAKE THE EXAM?

Students who studied at least one year of foreign language in high school should take the exam; however, the foreign language exam is optional.  The exam must be taken upon entrance if a student wishes either to be placed to a level of foreign language or waive the foreign language requirement.  If you choose not to take a foreign language exam, your placement into a foreign language will be based on your high school foreign language experience. You will not have another opportunity to take the foreign language exam.

Students with a certified language learning disability are provided substitution courses through the Disability Resource Center.

 

WHAT IS THE FORMAT OF THE EXAM?

The exam consists of multiple-choice questions that test grammar, vocabulary, situational phrases, and reading comprehension. It takes about 75 minutes.  Students who test high on the exam will have an opportunity to waive foreign language for credit by taking an oral exam.  Students can take the oral exam during the spring or fall semesters, depending on when they take the exam and faculty availability.

 

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR THE EXAM?

  • Review any elementary or intermediate foreign language textbook.
  • Sample questions

 

CAN I RETAKE THE EXAM?

You can only take the foreign language exam once in a given foreign language. If you have studied several languages, you can take the exam in each language once.  You may not re-test.