Advising Information

Placement:

Study Abroad:

National Honor Societies (ex. Phi Beta Kappa):

Majors and Minors:

Interdisciplinary Programs:

Placement

How do students know which language course is appropriate for their language level?

Proper placement is based on a student’s past experience and/or placement test results:

  • Beginners with NO prior experience in the target language should register for the year-long, two-semester sequence, Elementary 101 (offered only in the fall), which is followed by Elementary 102 (offered only in the spring).
  • Students continuing their high-school studies in Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, or Spanish should take an online placement test. In 20 minutes or less, they receive an automated response with their course placement recommendation. For instructions, please visit: http://lls.lafayette.edu/language-placement/placement-test/
  • Students continuing their high-school studies in Greek (classical), Hebrew (modern), Japanese, Latin, or Russian should consult an instructor of the desired language for advice. For the current list of FLL faculty, please visit: http://lls.lafayette.edu/faculty/
  • Heritage speakers (that is, those with a personal or historical connection to a language but limited formal study) who wish to take courses in Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Hebrew (modern), Japanese, Russian, or Spanish should consult a language adviser. Heritage speakers of Spanish may take Spanish 215 (offered usually in the spring) to demonstrate advanced-level proficiency.

How does the language sequence work?

  • Elementary (101-102) and Intermediate (111-112) courses are a two-semester, year-long sequence. In most languages offered at Lafayette, it is recommended that students complete the first part of the sequence before enrolling in the second part. Exceptions are made based on the student’s past language experience, placement exam scores or assessment by qualified members of the FLL faculty. French and Spanish offer a one-semester elementary course for high beginners (103), which is equivalent in level to 102.

Study Abroad

Do study abroad courses transfer?

  • The Department encourages participation in the College’s approved study-abroad programs. Students may enroll for an interim, summer, semester, or academic year.
  • For more information, please visit: studyabroad@lafayette.edu or contact the Director of International & Off-Campus Education, 125 Pardee Hall, (610) 330-5918.

Phi Beta Kappa

Does knowledge of a Second language influence a student’s eligibility in honor societies?

  • Admission to Phi Beta Kappa is always at the discretion of the local chapter. The Lafayette College chapter does take into account the study of a second language among other factors.

FLL Majors & Minors

Which language programs offer majors and minors?

Language: Chinese French German Greek Hebrew
Coursework √ √ √ √ √
Minor √ √ √ – –
Major √ √ √ – –
Language: Japanese Latin Russian Spanish
Coursework √ √ √ √
Minor – – √ √
Major – – – √

Language:

Interdisciplinary Programs

Which interdisciplinary programs combine with language study?

In addition to FLL’s major and minor programs (listed above), interdisciplinary and coordinate majors are available:

  • International Affairs (IA)
  • International Studies & Engineering
  • International Economics & Commerce
  • Government & Law and Foreign Languages

The study of a foreign language is also a significant component in the following programs:

  • Asian Studies
  • Classical Civilization
  • Jewish Studies
  • Latin American & Caribbean Studies (LACS)
  • Medieval, Renaissance & Early Modern Studies (MREMS)
  • Russian & East European Studies (REES)
  • Women’s & Gender Studies (WGS)

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