Looking to satisfy the GE CLAS Core: World Languages requirement?

Here are some common scenarios in response to frequently asked questions from students: 

 

Studied 4 Years of a Language in High School

Scenario:Next Steps:
  • The student has 4 years of language study in high school.
  • The student does not wish continue study of the language.
No further action needed, the degree audit will be updated automatically to reflect that the World Languages Requirement of 4th level of proficiency is satisfied.
  • The student has 4 years of language study in high school.
  • The student wants to continue study of the language.
A Placement Test is needed. The World Languages Requirement of 4th level of proficiency is satisfied, but the program wants to ensure student readiness for upper-level coursework.

A Proficiency Interview is not needed, but could ensure a more accurate placement if the student requests.

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Prior Background with a Language

Scenario:Next Steps:
  • The student has some background with the language, but not in a form that satisfies the World Languages Requirement at the fourth level of proficiency.
The student should take a Placement Test. 
  • The student wishes to use the placement test to satisfy their World Languages Requirement.
  • The student has taken the placement test and has earned a score that places them out of the 4th level of proficiency.
  • The student does not wish to continue study of the language.
A Proficiency Interview is necessary.
  • The student wishes to use the placement test to satisfy their World Languages Requirement.
  • The student has taken the placement test and has earned a score that places them out of the 4th level of proficiency.
  • The student wants to continue study of the language.
A Proficiency Interview is necessary.    

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Heritage Speakers

Scenario:Next Steps:
  • A student is a heritage speaker of a language taught at the University of Iowa.
  • The student has not otherwise satisfied the World Languages Requirement at the fourth level of proficiency.
  • The student does not wish continue study of the language.
A Placement Test is needed, followed by a Proficiency Interview. 
  • A student is a heritage speaker of a language taught at the University of Iowa.
  • The student has already fulfilled the World Languages Requirement at the fourth level of proficiency.
  • The student wants to continue study of the language.
The student should contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the respective language to determine the best placement. 
  • The student is a heritage speaker of a language not taught at the University of Iowa.
Students should contact CLAS Academic Programs to schedule a proficiency exam.

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Credit by Examination

Scenario:Next Steps:
  • The student has achieved an equivalent score on a related Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or other approved college-level examination accepted by the University of Iowa and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
  • The student does not wish continue study of the language.
Students should contact their academic advisor to ensure that the degree audit is updated for the World Languages Requirement of 4th level of proficiency.
  • The student has achieved an equivalent score on a related Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or other approved college-level examination accepted by the University of Iowa and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
  • The student wants to continue study of the language.
Students should contact their academic advisor to ensure that the degree audit is updated for the World Languages Requirement of 4th level of proficiency.

A Placement Test is also needed. The World Languages Requirement of 4th level of proficiency is satisfied, but the program wants to ensure student readiness for upper-level coursework.

A Proficiency Interview is not needed, but could ensure a more accurate placement if the student requests.

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Transfer Course Work and Study Abroad

Scenario:Next Steps:
  • The student has transfer coursework (through another institution or study abroad) that satisfies the World Languages Requirement at the 4th level of proficiency.
  • The student does not wish continue study of the language.
Students should contact their academic advisor to ensure that the degree audit is updated for the World Languages Requirement of 4th level of proficiency.
  • The student has transfer coursework (through another institution or study abroad) that satisfies the World Languages Requirement.
  • The student wants to continue study of the language.
Students should contact their academic advisor to ensure that the degree audit is updated for the World Languages Requirement of 4th level of proficiency.

A Placement Test is also needed. The World Languages Requirement of 4th level of proficiency is satisfied, but the program wants to ensure student readiness for upper-level coursework.

A Proficiency Interview is not needed, but could ensure a more accurate placement if the student requests.

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International Students

  • International students who have questions about the World Languages requirement should discuss this matter with an academic advisor.
  • International students who are US residents and attend a US high school, attended high school in a country where English is an official language, or attended high school where the primary language of instruction was English are strongly encouraged to contact the Office of Admissions to further discuss their situation.

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Students with Disabilities

Scenario:Next Steps:
  • The student has a disability that prevents them from meeting the World Languages Requirement.
The student should contact Student Disability Services to learn about this substitution process.

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Other Situations

Scenario:Next Steps:
  • The student has no prior background in the language and wants to start at the very beginning.
No Placement Test is needed, the student can register for their chosen World Language class at the 1st level of proficiency.
  • The student successfully completes a UI course with a 4th level of proficiency designation.
No further action needed, the degree audit will be updated automatically.

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Placement Test and Proficiency Interview Contact Information

LanguageTo Schedule or Take a Placement Test:To Schedule a Proficiency Interview:
American Sign Languagehttps://newstudents.uiowa.edu/american-sign-languageContact asl-program@uiowa.edu.
Arabichttps://newstudents.uiowa.edu/arabicContact yasmine-ramadan@uiowa.edu.
Chinesehttps://newstudents.uiowa.edu/chineseContact huiqiang-zheng@uiowa.edu.
Frenchhttps://newstudents.uiowa.edu/frenchContact e-destruel@uiowa.edu or claire-frances@uiowa.edu 
Germanhttps://newstudents.uiowa.edu/germanContact bruce-spencer@uiowa.edu.
Greek*https://newstudents.uiowa.edu/greekContact classics@uiowa.edu.
Italianhttps://newstudents.uiowa.edu/italianContact irene-lottini@uiowa.edu 
Japanesehttps://newstudents.uiowa.edu/japaneseContact nana-onishi@uiowa.edu
Latin*https://newstudents.uiowa.edu/latinContact classics@uiowa.edu.
KoreanContact sang-seok-yoon@uiowa.edu.Contact sang-seok-yoon@uiowa.edu.
Portuguesehttps://newstudents.uiowa.edu/portuguese

Contact

 maricelle-pinto-tomas@uiowa.edu or suzanne-wedeking@uiowa.edu 

Russianhttps://newstudents.uiowa.edu/russianContact irina-kostina@uiowa.edu.
Spanishhttps://newstudents.uiowa.edu/spanishContact spanish-clascore@uiowa.edu.
Swahilihttps://newstudents.uiowa.edu/swahiliContact suzy-nkurlu@uiowa.edu

* administered by the Department of Classics.

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Additional Information

Questions about the above languages, placement tests, and proficiency interviews can be directed to the Center for Language and Culture Learning (CLCL) at dwllc-clcl@uiowa.edu.

For more information about Greek and Latin, contact:
Department of Classics
210 Jefferson Building (JB)
Iowa City, IA 52242
classics@uiowa.edu
319-335-3884
https://classics.uiowa.edu

For more information about the GE CLAS Core: World Languages Requirement, contact:
CLAS Undergraduate Programs
120 Schaeffer Hall (SH)
Iowa City, IA 52242
clas-undergrad@uiowa.edu
319-335-2633

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Information General Catalog Information