Department of Foreign Languages : Foreign Language Requirements and Placement Guidelines

Foreign Language Placement Tests Offered at UT

Regularly Scheduled Language Courses Offered at UT

Common Course Sequence

All languages listed above offer courses according to the following sequence:

If a student feels that an accelerated review of course material would be more appropriate than a full year of elementary language, the student may opt for the 1500 course level, which compresses a full year of study into the space of a semester. The sequence that the student should then take is as follows:

It should be pointed out that elementary courses are not taught in all semesters for all languages. Typically, students wishing to study French, German, and Spanish can begin the study of the language in Fall, Spring or Summer sessions. For all other languages, however, the sequence is as follows:

Foreign Language Requirement

College of Arts and Sciences and College of Education and Allied Professions students must meet a language requirement. Students may accomplish their goal by successfully completing foreign language courses to their required level or by achieving an appropriate score on a proficiency/placement test administered by the Department of Foreign Languages that reflects the equivalent. Accordingly, proficiency by testing is demonstrated when students test past the level of their requirement. The following list indicates the minimum requirements for foreign languages in each college.

Continuing a Foreign Language Previously Studied

Students who have completed one or more years of a language in high school or at a previous institution of higher learning and wish to study in that language should take a placement test for the purpose of continuing at a level higher than the elementary (1110) level.

No Credit for Courses Skipped

It should be noted that the placement test does not grant academic credit for the courses skipped over in the placement procedure. However, credit towards graduation is given to students who enroll in and successfully complete language coursework, no matter what the formal or informal language background the student has had.

Example for Arts and Sciences students: If you placed into 2140, you do not receive academic credit for 1110 and 1120. You do receive credit for enrolling and completing 2140. After completing 2140 and 2150, you have met the requirement for graduation.

Starting a New Foreign Language

Students who wish to study a foreign language in which they have never had experience should simply enroll in the 1110 course. Delaying or interrupting your study of a foreign language will only lead to a reduction in your present skills. For this reason the Department of Foreign Languages recommends that you sign up at your appropriate level or begin a new language at the 1110 level as soon as you get your test results.