Language Placement and Placement Exams
Incoming students:
If you plan to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree, a two-semester sequence of university entry level world language courses (101 and 102) is required. The requirement may be fulfilled through equivalent coursework or other language acquisition as demonstrated through a test out policy (including Native American languages and American Sign Language).
If you take the placement exam and test into 211, you fulfill the language requirement without earning ANY credits toward graduation. However, if you test into 211 and then take 211 and earn a B- or higher, you earn eight retro credits. Eight for the previous classes (101 and 102) plus four for 211 and those 12 credits are applied to your overall graduation total. The higher you place the more retro credits are available provided you successfully earn a B- or higher the class.
Taking the placement test is a great idea while your high school language is still fresh in your mind. You may be able to get a lot of retro credits for doing well in only one class or get enough retro credits to obtain a language minor or an English as a Second Language minor with only a few additional classes! Either way, taking the test is a smart move.
This guide will help determine your next class:
Years of Study in High School French, German, or Spanish
| UWSP Course Placement*
| Retro-credits awarded if B- or higher achieved in course
|
0-1
| 101
| 0
|
2-3
| 211
| 8
|
4+
| 313,314, or 315
| 16
|
AP Score for French, German, or Spanish Language & Culture Test
| UWSP Course Placement*
| Retro-credits awarded if B- or higher achieved in course
|
3
| 313
| 16
|
4
| 314 or 315
| 19
|
5
| 315 or 300/400 level courses
| 22
|
*Course Titles:
101 = First semester (language)
211 = Third semester language)
313 = Developing Oral Proficiency
314 = Developing Writing Proficiency
315 = Developing Reading Proficiency
French, German and Spanish Placement Exams are Available
Foreign language placement exams are available in French, German, and Spanish and are administered by the Department of World Languages and Literatures. Both online and paper exams are available. Students opting for the in-person exam should contact the department to set up an appointment. Students should bring a student ID and #2 pencil. Placement exams may be taken once for each language.
Placement Exams for Other Languages
Placement into other world languages (e.g., Arabic, Chinese, Japanese or Russian) are available upon request and have a different process. Please contact the World Languages and Literatures Department for more information. Placement exams may be taken once for each language.
Multilingual Students
If your native language is not English and you can document formal high school or university study of your native language, then you may use ENGL 101. ENGL 150 and ENGL 202 as a means of fulfilling this foreign language requirement.
Credit for American Sign-Language and Native American languages
Credit for American Sign Language and Native American languages is available. Please contact the World Languages and Literatures Department for more information.
Department of World Languages and Literatures
School of Humanities and Global Studies
Collins Classroom Center 489
Phone 715-346-2334
Skip to main content
