Department of
Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Language Placement

Students MUST take a Placement Exam in order to be eligible for the following credits.

Student placed in 102 will be granted credit for 101 upon successful completion of 102, with C+ or better.

Students placed into 201 who complete 201 with a C or better will earn 9 credits for 101, 102 and 201.

Students placed into 202 who complete 202 with a C or better will earn 12 credits for 101, 102, 201 and 202.

 

Foundational Studies non-native Language Requirement

Students entering the University under the Foundational Studies 2010 program are required to complete two semesters of non-native language to meet the Foundational Studies requirement in this area. The requirement may also be met in the following ways:

• Four courses in high school in a single or multiple non-native language(s), including American Sign Language, with a grade of C or better
  
• Two courses at ISU in a single or multiple non-native language(s), (select from 101 and 102 of one language, or 101 and 101 of multiple languages)
  
• Two courses, from an accredited college or university, in a single or multiple non-native language(s), including American Sign Language
  
• Completion of English as a Second Language

Please note the following:

• Students who have not formally satisfied the Foundational Studies non-native language requirement are placed into level 101 or level 102 language classes based on their academic work in high school.
  
• Students with no previous non-native language experience should choose the 101 elementary course in the language of their choice (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Latin,  or Spanish) -- (occasionally but infrequently offered are Greek, Italian, Portuguese and Russian.)
  
• Students entering Indiana State University with an Associate or higher degree from an institution other than Indiana State University may be exempted from this requirement at the discretion of the college in which they enroll.
  
• Students who have satisfied the Foundational Studies non-native language requirement and who wish to take further course work in a language are encouraged to take the Language Placement Examination in order to determine the level of language course work most appropriate for them. Depending upon the level of placement, students may receive credit for their knowledge of the language, some of which may count toward General Education Liberal Studies. The test is administered by the University Testing Office.

Information for International Students:

• International students whose first language is not English are exempt from this requirement.
  
• The LLL Department also administers the English as a Second Language Proficiency Test to international students who wish to place out of ESL 103A or ESL 103B

Additional Information for Placement Criteria

(Automatic) Placement criteria for those who have not satisfied the Foundational Studies Non-Native Language Requirement

(Screening done by Admissions office, based on record of FL study in high school)

Students are placed into 102 if they have

a) completed 2 or 3 semesters of a single foreign language in high school or

b) completed 2 years of a single foreign language in high school with at least a B average in one year.

All else: enroll in 101

NOTE REGARDING ADMINISTRATION OF THE CAPE TEST:

1. The CAPE Test is to be administered only to students who have already met the Foundational Studies non-native language requirement (completion of 2 years of non-native language(s) in high school or 2 semesters in college with a minimum C average). Students who have not completed the non-native language requirement are placed into a language class according to the criteria specified above.
   
2. It is explicitly stated by the developers of the CAPE test that it is NOT designed to be used as a test-out exam, and that it is inaccurate especially in the lower levels. It is designed only for use as a placement test, where inexact measurement is acceptable.
   
3. Each student who requests to take the CAPE exam should show proof via DARS that he/she has completed the Foundational Studies non-native language requirement. Students who cannot provide such proof are not allowed to take the exam and should be reminded of the automatic placement criteria outlined above.

Other Language Placement Information:

All entering students who are exempt from the Foundational Studies Non-Native Language Requirement but who wish to continue language study are required to take the Foreign Language Placement Test. Students may receive elective credits for their knowledge of the language. For information regarding this test, contact the University Testing Office.

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