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.
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. Check it out!
Can I meet the language requirement in a language not taught at Carleton?
Yes, you can! For more information on our Language Requirement Exemption, please visit the Language Requirement Exemption page at the Provost Office.
How can I learn more about languages at Carleton?
Check out the other links on this website—for Activities, Programs Abroad, and Languages at Carleton. Then go to the site of the particular language you are interested in.