Benefits of Testing into Language in CollegeAnswered
Hi! I am a rising college freshman and I was starting to thinking about picking classes, specifically language classes. I know that I could more than likely test into a German class above beginners (or 101), but is there any benefit to that? Would I receive credit for the class that I skipped? Would it just make getting the language requirement out of the way? Or would it be an easy A just to take the beginners class? Any information would be helpful.
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1 answer
As someone who tested into two languages during college, I would definitely say that there is a benefit to doing so! First, let me break down the most common process for language testing and how it counts academically.
The majority of schools will want you to take their own language test to move beyond intro classes, even if you matriculate with AP/IB credit or an official certificate of proficiency. If you do place into a more advanced level in a language, you will be able to begin taking classes at that level, but you will not receive credit for the less advanced classes that you skipped. It also does not always waive language requirements - some schools or majors will want you to take a certain number of credits of foreign language classes, even if your starting point is high.
There are many benefits to testing into an advanced language level. For one, there is a good chance that you will have enough time to minor in the language, since language minors involve meeting a high proficiency level and taking a certain number of language classes.
The other major benefit is that you will be closer to accessing high level language classes, which I found to be some of the easiest and most enjoyable classes in college. By this point, you will mostly be studying culture rather than grammar. The classes will be in the target language, but you will find that you can understand everything that the professor is saying. Class activities will include watching movies, reading stories, giving presentations, and doing creative projects. They also help with a tricky part of language learning, which is learning nuances, idioms, and how to phrase things like native speakers.
I would say that taking an intro language class would not be enjoyable. Intro classes are actually the hardest language classes to take because they try to get students up to speed on a lot of content quickly. They meet so often and assign so much homework that they often award more than 3 credit hours. Every level after is easier and involves less tedious activities involving memorizing vocabulary and learning grammar rules. Hope this helps!
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