Language Requirement

Though Adelphi College of Arts and Sciences requires four semesters (or the equivalent) of a language, all students are encouraged to go beyond that requirement and to deepen their knowledge of another language, its literature, and its culture. Students have found that majoring in a language or adding a language minor greatly enriches their educational experience and provides them with a solid base of knowledge and skills that enhance future studies and career. The study of a language focuses the student on a means through which a culture organizes the world and reality.


Who?

• All students working toward a B.A. degree (inlcuding STEP students and transfers).
  
• All Levermore Global Scholars (LGS) students, regardless of major.

• All students with some knowledge of a second language are asked to take the online placement exams, which will gauge the appropriate level. Please note: the online test is for placement purposes only. Placement tests are offered online in Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, French, Italian, German. For American Sign Language or other languages, please see the Languages department for more information. 

• To complete a language you started in high school, and which is offered at Adelphi: Your placement test determines how many semesters you still need. For example, if you place into Level II, this means you need two semesters of language to complete the requirement (Levels III and IV). Keep in mind that high school and college language levels are very different.

• If you have taken an AP language exam, please consult the Academic Adelphi handbook for credits allowed.

• If you scored above Level IV on your placement test, or if you feel you are proficient in a language, you may take a test for proficiency  in the media lab, located In Earle Hall. This test must be supervised.

  Placement tests are offered in the following languages:

  • Spanish (online)
  • French (online)
  • Italian (online)
  • German (online)
  • Mandarin Chinese (online)
    

• Demonstrated completion of three years of high school education in a non-English-speaking country will satisfy the requirement.

When?
It is recommended that students begin working toward their foreign language proficiency within their first 30 credits at Adelphi. Students are urged to complete the Language requirement in consecutive semesters if possible, as gaps in language instruction tend to affect student performance adversely.

Students who change from a B.S. to a B.A. program must meet the language requirement for the B.A. degree.

View Frequently Asked Questions for more information on the language requirement.