Fredonia Foundations Language Requirement

Foreign Language Requirement Guidelines

Every Fredonia student has to successfully complete a minimum of one language course (numbered 110 or above) in a language of the student’s preference. The appropriate course level will be determined by a proficiency test in the language of the student’s preference. In order to select the correct course, all incoming students must take the placement test selected by the Department of World Languages and Cultures as soon as possible in the semester prior wanting to take a foreign language course. Students who do not have any background in the preferred language of study can choose to take the 100 level of the preferred language of study (to be prepared for the 110 course) instead of the placement exam (see below):

These are possible outcomes of the test and the corresponding courses:

Foreign Language Requirement Exceptions. Students who do not need to take the language course to fulfill the requirement include:

• International students or any student who can demonstrate a native or near-native proficiency in a language other than English. However, those students still need to take 3 credits in the Global Perspectives and Diversity theme to complete their Fredonia Foundation 30 credits. Students who might qualify for this exception must contact the Chair of the Department of World Languages and Cultures.
• Students who have the foreign language requirement officially satisfied according to their previous institution’s general education requirement with a statement of verification (ie GETA) on or with their transcript.

To schedule a Foreign Language Placement Exam, use the link below. If you have questions, please contact Isabel Cortijo at the email cortijom@fredonia.edu.

https://pdc.fredonia.libcal.com/calendar/language_placement

Not fully clear yet? Here is a quick guide:

Did you already fulfill your foreign language requirement?  Log into DegreeWorks to verify. If it is satisfied, congratulations! Herzliche Glückwünsche! ¡Felicidades! Toutes nos félicitations! 祝贺, Congratulazioni! 

Are a native speaker or have near-native proficiency in a language other than English? You are welcome to take additional language training at Fredonia, but you can request a waiver for the foreign language requirement. Please contact Dr. Juan De Urda at deurda@fredonia.edu, who will oversee the waiver process.

Did you come to Fredonia as a transfer student? If so, you MIGHT have completed Fredonia's foreign language requirement. Check your records on DegreeWorks. If you need to complete the foreign language requirement, see the process for the Fredonia Foundation general education program below.

If you DID NOT answer “yes” to the above questions, as part of the Fredonia Foundations Program ALL students are required to take one language course at the 110 level or above

●        Students with NO experience in the language of choice to fulfill the requirement must take a 2-credit prep class with a 100 course in that language before enrolling in a 110 course, no placement test needed. Please note that the 100 course does not satisfy the Fredonia Foundations requirement.

●       Students with some experience and knowledge in the language of choice to fulfill the requirement must take a free placement test to decide the correct course. The placement test is administered for the French, German, Italian, Mandarin, and Spanish languages. If you plan to take Russian and you are not new with the language, contact the instructor to determine the right course for you. Visit the sign-up page to register for the language placement test. (Since advising is approaching, we recommend doing this sooner rather than later. Spots are limited).

●        Interested in American Sign Language? ASL 110 is being offered for students with no previous background in American Sign Language. For students who completed ASL 110 or its equivalent, you can enroll in ASL 215.

○        There is no placement test for ASL classes and theses courses fulfill the language requirement for Fredonia Foundations.