Language Placement Testing
To ensure an efficient course of language study, the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures requires a language placement test and/or interview for all students who plan to study a language with which they are familiar prior to enrollment at Seton Hall.
Language placement testing benefits students by:
- allowing students to continue studying a language at an appropriate level;
- assisting students in completing the language requirement of the core curriculum in a timely manner; and
- enabling a better learning environment for all students by grouping students with similar proficiency levels together.
Do I have to take a language placement test?
You must take the placement test for the language you plan to study if you meet either or both of the following requirements:
- You have previously taken formal lessons or courses in that language. (For example, if you took language classes in high school and now plan to continue studying that language at Seton Hall, you must take the appropriate placement test for that language.)
- You have experience with that language in social situations. (For example, if you grew up speaking a language, at least occasionally, with your family, and you plan to study that language at Seton Hall, you must take the appropriate placement test.)
Do not take the placement test for a language if you have never taken courses or had experience with that language.
How do I take the language placement test?
The placement tests for Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin and Spanish and Modern Standard Arabic are online and can be accessed through Blackboard, in your Freshman Studies organization/community. If you are taking the Spanish placement test, be sure your computer has a microphone and speakers.
The placement interviews for Modern Standard Arabic, Chinese and Russian are conducted in person after you have completed the placement test. To arrange an interview in Arabic, contact Youssef@Yacoubi@shu.edu; for Russian contact Anna.Kuchta@shu.edu; and for Chinese email Michael.Stone@shu.edu for assistance in arranging an interview.
FAQ's about Language Placement Testing
If I want to study a new language, do I have to take the placement test?
No. If you plan to study a language that you have never studied before, do not take the placement test for that language. You can register directly for Elementary I.
Elementary I and Elementary II
are designed for true novices of a language. For people who are new to the study of a language, the sequence is Elementary I, Elementary II, followed by Intermediate I and Intermediate II.
What if I think I’ve been placed into the wrong level course?
You should talk with your professor first, then the chair of the department or coordinator for that language.
You may not register for a higher or lower level course without approval from the professor and coordinator for that language or the department chair.
When should I take the placement test?
Take the placement test as soon as possible, at least 2-3 weeks in advance of your Pirate Adventure in June. You will need your results before you register for classes. If you did not take your placement test prior to the start of your Freshman year, contact the GLC to schedule your placement test. Please note, as placement test results may take a few days, ensure that you have completed the placement test well in advance of registration.
Language Requirements
As the foreign language requirements for the schools and degrees differ, please check with your mentor or advisor to verify your degree program’s language requirements.
Using a placement test to satisfy your degree’s core curriculum language requirement
You may be able to satisfy your degree program’s core curriculum language requirement by placing into a certain level course.
No credits are awarded for using the placement test to satisfy your degree’s language requirement. You will still have to meet your degree program’s minimum number of credits for graduation.
Not all degree programs or colleges allow you to satisfy the language requirement by placement test. Please check with your advisor.
For more information about using your placement test to satisfy your degree program’s language requirement, please contact the LLC Global Learning Center at Michael.Stone@shu.edu or (973) 761-9457.
To use your placement test to satisfy your degree requirement:
- Verify your degree requirement can be satisfied by a test.
- Take the test and then email michael.stone@shu.edu
If your placement result satisfies your degree requirement, fill out a Curriculum Adjustment Form in Fahy Hall 202 LLC Global Learning Center.
Using a proficiency test to satisfy your degree's core curriculum language requirement.
You may be able to satisfy your degree program’s core curriculum language requirement by demonstrating a certain level of proficiency in a language not offered at Seton Hall University, such as Polish, Urdu or Tagalog. Generally, students who are proficient in foreign languages which are not taught at Seton Hall can make arrangements to be tested through an outside organization. Email: Michael.Stone@shu.edu for further information.
No credits are awarded for using the proficiency test to satisfy your degree’s language requirement. You will still have to meet your degree program’s minimum number of credits for graduation.
Not all degree programs or colleges allow you to satisfy the language requirement by proficiency test. Please check with your advisor.