Modern Languages and Literatures: Recommended courses and placement exams
Chinese Placement Information
If you plan to study Chinese, consult with Professor Ying Wu regarding which course to take.
French Placement Information
You’re a student who wants to take a French course. What to do?
Step 1
Begin with your transcript. If you have AP or IB Credit, then please use the table below. The College receives most AP and IB scores in mid-July. If you don’t have AP or IB credit, then please go to Step 2.
French
|
Student Record: |
You should register for: |
|
AP Score 3 or IB HL Score 4—you receive credit for FREN 112 |
FREN 210 |
|
AP Score 4 or IB HL Score 5—you receive credit for FREN 210 |
FREN 212 |
|
AP Score 5 or IB HL Score 6—you receive credit for FREN 212 |
FREN 250, FREN 255; or other course above FREN 212 with permission of instructor |
Step 2
If you have taken some high school French but do not have AP or IB credit, then you start with the French Placement Exam. Students will be asked to provide their student ID number and Lake Forest email (note: if your email doesn't work, please add "mx" to your Lake Forest email, as in this example: student@lakeforest.edu), and to create a password. After the test, you will receive your score.
French Placement Exam
|
Placement Score |
Placement for French |
|
0 to 349 |
French 110 or 112 |
|
350 to 439 |
French 210 |
|
440 to 499 |
French 212 |
|
500 + |
French 250, 255 or other course above 212, with permission of instructor |
General guidelines:
- If you have taken three or more years of high school French, then you will likely place into FREN 210. However, and this is VERY important, if you have not taken French in a year or more, then you should start by taking the placement exam and speaking to a professor in the French section of the Modern Languages and Literatures (MLL) Department.
- If you had previous coursework in French in high school but less than three years, then start with the placement exam. The placement exam is not an exact science, but it will give you a general gauge. You can follow-up by speaking to your advisor and/or a professor in the French section of MLL.
Step 3
If you have no experience in the language, you should start with FREN 110 which is only offered in the fall semester.
Spanish Placement Information
You’re a student who wants to take a Spanish course. What to do?
Step 1
Begin with your transcript. If you have AP or IB Credit, then please use the table below. The College receives most AP and IB scores in mid-July. If you don’t have AP or IB credit, then please go to Step 2.
Spanish
|
Student Record: |
You should register for: |
|
AP Score 3 or IB HL Score 4—you receive credit for SPAN 111 |
SPAN 210 |
|
AP Score 4 or IB HL Score 5—you receive credit for SPAN 210 |
SPAN 212 |
|
AP Score 5 or IB HL Score 6—you receive credit for SPAN 212 |
SPAN 255, SPAN 250, or SPAN 260* |
*SPAN 260 is only for heritage speakers
*SPAN 255 is generally for non-heritage speakers
*SPAN 250 is for everyone
Step 2
If you have taken some high school Spanish but do not have AP or IB credit, then you start with the Spanish Placement Exam. Students will be asked to provide their student ID number and Lake Forest email (note: if your email doesn't work, please add "mx" to your Lake Forest email, as in this example: student@lakeforest.edu), and to create a password. After the test, you will receive your score.
Spanish Placement Exam
|
Placement Score |
Placement for Spanish |
|
0 to 349 |
Spanish 111 |
|
350 to 439 |
Spanish 210 |
|
440 to 499 |
Spanish 212 |
|
500 + |
250 or 255; or lower level 300 course, with permission of instructor |
General Guidelines:
- If you have taken three or more years of high school Spanish, then you will likely place into SPAN 210. However, and this is VERY important, if you have not taken Spanish in a year or more, then you should start by taking the placement exam and speaking to a professor in the Spanish section of the Modern Languages and Literatures (MLL) Department.
- If you had previous coursework in Spanish in high school but less than three years, then start with the placement exam. The placement exam is not an exact science, but it will give you a general gauge. You can follow-up by speaking to your advisor and/or a professor in the Spanish section of MLL.
Step 3
If you have no experience in the language, you should start with SPAN 111 which is only offered in the spring semester. If you are a Spanish heritage speaker, consider SPAN 260: Spanish for Heritage Speakers.