Language Placement Information

Language Placement for courses in World Languages and Cultures

• Are you interested in developing cultural competencies?
• Are you looking for exciting courses for your liberal education program (LEP) requirements?
• Are you interested in getting the most out of study abroad?
• Does your major program require you to have a minor? With previous experience in high school, you may be closer than you think!

You will develop the skills to listen, speak, read, and write in your chosen language, while also growing your capacity for critical and creative thinking, oral and written communication skills, and intercultural competence. 

Please note that not all classes will be available every semester. Consult the course schedule to see the courses that are available for that semester.

I am a true beginner or I have some high school experience

• 1101 is perfect for student with little or no experience, or students who need a review

• 1102 is great for students who took one year of classes in high school, or comparable experience. If 1102 isn’t offered in your language that semester, drop down to 1101 - a review is always good!

  • Mind the gap! Like learning language? Continue now so you don’t have a gap and forget what you’ve worked so hard to learn. Build a strong foundation now
  • Survive and thrive! You will be amazed how much progress you can make in just one year.  It will give you the confidence to be able to travel in areas where your chosen language is studied - you can order food, make travel arrangements, navigate housing and transportation, and meet basic daily needs. It will also prepare you to move on for deeper study.
  • Be a traveler, not a tourist! Planning on studying abroad? You can go deeper into a culture if you know the language.  

CHIN 1101, FR 1101, GER 1101, SPAN 1101
CHIN 1102, FR 1102, GER 1102, SPAN 1102 

(All courses meet LEP - Oral Comm and Lang)

I have 2+ years of high school experience, or equivalent

• 1201 is perfect for students who have two years or more of recent experience in high school,or  for those who have an understanding of the present and past tenses and a comfortable vocabulary base, or those who have completed 1102

• 1202 is ideal for those students who studied the language for three years in high school, or comparable experience. 1202 is a gateway for upper-level work, including Span 2301 and 3xxx and 4xxx courses in all languages.  Imagine yourself growing in your ability to thrive in another culture and to move as an independent learner and speaker.  If 1202 isn’t offered in your language that semester, drop down to 1201 - a review is always good!

CHIN 1201, FR 1201, GER 1201, SPAN 1201
CHIN 1202, FR 1202, GER 1202, SPAN 1202 

(All courses meet LEP - Oral Comm and Lang)

I am a heritage speaker of Spanish or have 4+ years of high school Spanish

→ SPAN 2301 is perfect for students who have three years or more of previous experience in high school, or for those who have a solid understanding of the present, past, and future tenses and a strong vocabulary base, or those who have completed 1202 or the equivalent at another university. 

Students who have completed 4+ years of German or French should consult about placement into the 3000 and 4000 levels.

Advantages to continuing language study

• Close to a minor! Students who complete 1202 are only 3-4 more courses away from a minor. Many majors at UMD require a minor, and minoring in a world language is a great addition to any major. 
• Add a second major! Students who complete 1202 are only 6-7 more courses away from a major. Language and intercultural skills complement any academic program and open doors professionally and personally.
• Fulfill LEP. With 1202, you are one step closer to taking upper division courses. Many upper-division courses in the department fulfill LEP, including courses for Humanities, Global Perspectives, Fine Arts, Cultural Diversity, and Sustainability. Combine your love of languages and cultures with requirements for graduation!
• Study Abroad. 1202 sets you up for deeper study abroad experiences, since you’ll have a solid background in both language and culture.  You’ll get much more out of time abroad after deep language study.
• Use language professionally: Start moving towards advanced proficiency, so you can use language in your future professional life and deepen your cultural competencies!

Email [email protected]  with any questions

UMD does not have a placement test.  Follow the guidelines on this page and please contact us if you need more individual support in determining placement.