World Languages Placement

Southern students are required to reach an Intermediate Low Proficiency (200-level) in a foreign language to fulfill the general education Multilingual Communication requirement. You will start in either 100, 101, or 200 based on your placement level or you may pursue one of the alternate completion pathways outlined below.

First, please log into the MySCSU student portal to verify that you have a World Language placement level:

  • Go to Banner Web
  • Select Student Services
  • Select Student Records
  • Select Test Scores and Placements
  • If a World Language Placement (ex. HFRE-High School French Level) is present, you have a placement level
  • If a World Language Placement is not present, you do not have a placement level

To obtain a placement level and help ensure you start in the appropriate course, please submit one or more of the following to admissions@southernct.edu:

  • High school official transcript
  • Advanced Placement exam scores (AP

You may also choose to complete the World Language Assessment to obtain or improve your placement score. This should be completed prior to attending orientation if you would like to take a language course during your first semester. You can also take the World Language Assessment during your first-year inquiry class in your first semester. The World Language placement assessment is a 90-minute online exercise used to place students in an appropriate foreign language course. Please be aware of the following prior to logging in:

  1. You will have only one opportunity to take it.
  2. You may not stop and come back to it; you must complete it in one sitting.
  3. All devices (computers, smartphones, and handhelds) and browsers (Firefox, Safari, Chrome, etc.) are compatible with the placement.
  4. While you can use smartphones and handhelds, it is highly recommended that you use a computer. 
  5. Also, some browsers will offer you the option to translate the language, selecting that option will undermine the validity of your results and may place you unfavorably.
  6. When you’re ready to take the placement make sure you have your Southern email address (i.e. username@southernct.edu) and student ID number (70XXXXXX) in front of you before beginning it and remember it begins as soon as you click on it.

Note: We do not offer an online placement for Chinese. Please contact Rafael Hernandez hernandezr3@southernct.edu to schedule a time to take the paper version of our placement exam.

If you need special testing accommodations due to a documented disability, please contact the Center for Academic Success and Accessibility Services

 

You may take the following courses based on your placement level:

Placement Level

Placement Criteria

You are eligible to take...

HWLL 1

  • High school level 1 foreign language

100-level course in the same language

HWLL 2

  • High school level 2 foreign language

101-level course in the same language

HWLL 3

  • High school level 3-5 foreign language

200-level course in the same language

Note: Students who want to learn a new language will also be placed in 100-level class.

Students with a certified language learning disability may be provided substitution courses through the Center for Academic Success and Accessibility Services.

Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Scores

Students who earn an AP Score of 3 in a foreign language can register for a 200-level course in the same foreign language. Students who earn an AP Score of 4 or higher can earn up to 9 credits of language and have completed the Multilingual Communication requirement upon admission.

Seal of Biliteracy

Students who are awarded the Seal of Biliteracy have satisfied the Multilingual Communication requirement. Student can earn up to 9 credits of language, upon presenting proof of their seal to the Chairperson of the Department of World Languages and Literatures.

Study Abroad

Students who attended at least 1 year at a school overseas may request a waiver of the general education Multilingual Communication requirement.

Waiver Exams

Students who are already proficient in a foreign language, are native speakers or heritage learners can waive the general education Multilingual Communication requirement by taking a waiver test (STAMP TestACTFL TestCLEP Exam). Students can also earn as many as 9 credits of language based on the examination.  Duplicate credit will not be issued for language courses that have already been completed. Many students choose to pursue a major or a minor in the language and may apply partial or full credit toward their requirements; otherwise, elective credit will be granted.  Students should schedule an appointment with a professional advisor to understand their options.

If you transfer the equivalent of a World Language at the 200-level course or have 60 or more transfer credits, then you have fulfilled the Multilingual Communication requirement. In addition, transfer students with 30-59 credits at the time of transfer and who have also completed Level 3 high school foreign language or Level 2 college foreign language are waived from this requirement.

Seal of Biliteracy

Students who are awarded the Seal of Biliteracy have satisfied the Multilingual Communication requirement. Student can earn up to 9 credits of language, upon presenting proof of their seal to the Chairperson of the Department of World Languages and Literatures.

Study Abroad

Students who attended at least 1 year at a school overseas may request a waiver of the general education Multilingual Communication requirement.

Waiver Exams

Students who are already proficient in a foreign language, are native speakers or heritage learners can waive the general education Multilingual Communication requirement by taking a waiver test (STAMP TestACTFL TestCLEP Exam). Students can also earn as many as 9 credits of language based on the examination.  Duplicate credit will not be issued for language courses that have already been completed. Many students choose to pursue a major or a minor in the language and may apply partial or full credit toward their requirements; otherwise, elective credit will be granted.  Students should schedule an appointment with a professional advisor to understand their options.

You may also choose to complete the World Language Assessment to obtain or improve your placement score. This should be completed prior to attending your Transfer Advising meeting if you would like to take a language course during your first semester at Southern. The World Language placement assessment is a 90-minute online exercise used to place students in an appropriate foreign language course. Please be aware of the following prior to logging in:

  1. You will have only one opportunity to take it.
  2. You may not stop and come back to it; you must complete it in one sitting.
  3. All devices (computers, smartphones, and handhelds) and browsers (Firefox, Safari, Chrome, etc.) are compatible with the placement.
  4. While you can use smartphones and handhelds, it is highly recommended that you use a computer. 
  5. Also, some browsers will offer you the option to translate the language, selecting that option will undermine the validity of your results and may place you unfavorably.
  6. When you’re ready to take the placement make sure you have your Southern email address (i.e. username@southernct.edu) and student ID number (70XXXXXX) in front of you before beginning it and remember it begins as soon as you click on it.

Note: We do not offer an online placement for Chinese. Please contact Rafael Hernandez hernandezr3@southernct.edu to schedule a time to take the paper version of our placement exam.

If you need special testing accommodations due to a documented disability, please contact the Center for Academic Success and Accessibility Services