The Foreign Language Requirement
All students at Washington College must complete the Foreign Language Requirement to graduate. One or two semesters of language may be necessary depending on the student's level when he or she begins his or her studies. All incoming and transfer students will take the placement exam to determine their level.
Students who are beginning a new language or who test into the first-year level (courses numbered 101 or 102) are required to take two semesters of that language, either 101 and 102 OR 102 and 201 depending on placement.
Students who take the placement exam and test into the intermediate level (courses numbered 201 or 202) or the advanced level (courses numbered 301 and above) are required to take one semester of that language to fulfill the requirement.
Students whose native language is not English are exempt from the Foreign Language requirement.
Students with learning differences may request Foreign Language Substitution through the Office of Academic Skills. If an accommodation is granted, these students will fulfill the Foreign Language Requirement by replacing language courses with two courses from a list of eligible courses. For more information about accommodations and substitutions, refer to the website for the Office of Academic Skills.
Frequently asked questions
Language Placement
How do I take the Placement Exam?
Following your acceptance to Washington College and prior to Summer Advising Days you will receive a letter in which you will find instructions for taking the foreign language placement exam. You will access the exam electronically via the Washington College website. In order to take the placement exam you will need the login and password that were assigned to you in the letter. After you finish the exam you will see your placement score and the level in which it is most appropriate for you to enroll.
What if I forget which class I placed into?
Your academic adviser will have access to your placement score and will make certain you are enrolled in the appropriate course.
What if my language placement is much higher/lower than I expected?
We take placement very seriously and firmly believe that our exam is accurate. Occasionally students feel they are in the wrong class. First, it is important to allow yourself some time to adjust to a college-level language class before rushing into making changes. If, after several class sessions, you believe you have been mistakenly placed you should first speak to the instructor. S/he will be best able to assess your progress to that point in the class. Students often perceive problems when in reality they are simply adjusting to the expectations. If you and your instructor decide that you should be in a different level class, you should then speak with both your adviser and the chair of the Modern Languages department so that appropriate measures can be taken.
What if there is no placement exam available for the language I studied in high school?
You do not need to take the placement exam since you will be starting with a new language. You should enroll in the language of your choice at the 101 level.
What if the language that I studied in high school is not offered at WC?
You should enroll in a new language at the 101-level.
I took an AP exam in a language offered at WC.
If you received a 4 or 5 on that exam you will get college credit. However, you should still take the placement exam and enroll in the appropriate level of language based on your score.
I took an AP exam in a language not offered at WC.
If you received a 4 or 5 on that exam you will get college credit. However, you should plan on enrolling in a new language at the 101-level.
What if I want to take another language than the one I studied in high school?
We welcome you to do so! Please enroll in the language of your choice at the 101-level. For our records, though, we would still like you to take the placement exam for the language you studied in high school if that language is French, Spanish, or German. If you change your mind later we will know where you should be placed.
I have learning differences that make studying a language difficult for me.
I am a faculty member and would like to find the placement scores of a student.
