I’ve already studied a language for several years. How do I find out what my level is?

Easy! Check out the Placement Testing page.

I know a language that isn’t taught at Carleton. Can I meet the language requirement in this language?

Yes, you can! For more information on our Language Requirement Exemption, please visit the Language Requirement Exemption page at the Provost Office.

I took an Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate language course in high school. Do I still need to take a language at Carleton?

For most languages, if you received a score of 4 or 5 on an AP language or literature examination or a 6 or 7 on a higher-level IB examination (scores of 5, 6, or 7 accepted for Chinese and Japanese), you have satisfied the basic language requirement and will be granted 6 credits. See Carleton’s Placement and Transfer Credit rules for details. If you’d like to continue taking language courses at Carleton, you should register for courses above the 205 level.

How are languages taught at Carleton?

Well, it depends a little bit on the language. In most cases we teach with a communicative approach in the target language. For many languages, even the first day of 101 is taught entirely in the target language! Some classes handle some explanations in English, and some literature or culture courses in some programs are taught in English. Of course, Latin and Ancient Greek use English as the language of instruction. In any case, the language of instruction (if different from English) is always indicated in the college catalog.

Do you have to be a language major to participate in the off-campus program(s) of a given language?

Definitely not! Many students do advanced work in a language (including programs abroad) without majoring in it. However, if you do a program abroad where the coursework is in a foreign language, you may be pretty close to completing a minor, so make sure to check out your department’s requirements.