Continuing the Same Language from High School

I would like to continue to take courses in the same language that I studied in high school. How will I be placed into the language studied in high school?
The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures will review your score on an on-line language placement test for French, German, Italian, or Spanish as well as other factors such as previous experiences with and use of the language at home, in school, and during any stay or study abroad in countries where the language is spoken. NOTE: You will not be granted credit for taking introductory courses (1111 or 1112) in a language that you took in high school for 2 years or more. Try to do your best on the on-line placement test! It is not beneficial for you to perform poorly since the test is only one of many factors that the Department will consider in order to place you in the correct language course! Thus, the Department reserves the right to place you into the appropriate courses based on a variety of data described above.

Beginning a New Language

I would like to take classes in a language that I did not study in high school. Which languages can I take? How will I be placed into a course in the new language?
We offer courses in the following 4 languages: French, German, Italian, and Spanish. If you would like to study a new language other than the language you studied in high school, please be certain to indicate your choice of a *new* language in the Freshman 2007 at NOVASIS. If you indicate on the “Freshman 2007” that you would like to study a language which you did NOT study in high school, the Office of the Registrar will automatically enroll you into the first semester, introductory course of the new language (1111 = Introductory I). NOTE: If you decide study a new language, you are required to complete two (2) semesters of the language at the introductory level AND to also complete two (2) semesters at the intermediate level in order to fulfill the language requirement. The two introductory level courses (1111 and 1112) will only be counted as electives if that language was not studied for two or more years at the high school level.

Should I take the on-line language placement test in a language that I have not studied in high school but would like to study at Villanova?
No. If you decide to study a new language (other than the language studied in high school), you do not need to take the language placement test in French, German, Italian, or Spanish.

Online Language Placement Tests (Deadline, Scores, AP Credit)

How am I placed into a language course to fulfill the language requirement?
The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures will review your score on an on-line language placement test as well as other factors such as previous experiences with and use of the language at home, in school, and during any stay or study abroad in countries where the language is spoken. Try to do your best on the on-line placement test! It is not beneficial for you to perform poorly since the test is only one of many factors that the Department will consider in order to place you in the correct language course! Thus, the Department reserves the right to place into you the appropriate courses based on a variety of data described above!

Do I have to take the on-line language placement test?
If you plan to continue your study of French, German, Italian, or Spanish from high school, then you are required to take the on-line language placement test in the language you studied in high school. If you would like to study a new language, that is, a language which you did not study in grades 9-12, then you do not have to take the on-line language placement exam. Indicate your choice to study a new language in the Freshmen 2007 at NOVASIS. You will then automatically be enrolled by the Office of the Registrar in the beginning-level (1111 = Introductory I) course of the new language you decide to study.

Do I have to take the on-line language placement test if I will be taking an Advanced Placement (AP) Exam in a language offered at Villanova?
Yes. If you will be taking the Advanced Placement (AP) Exam or have taken the AP Exam in a language offered at Villanova but have not yet received your AP score, you are also required to take the on-line language placement test.

Can I fulfill the language requirement by taking and earning a high score on an Advanced Placement (AP) Exam?
Yes. Please refer to The Enchiridion, The Arts & Sciences Student Handbook, for additional information regarding college credit course equivalents for scores on the Advanced Placement (AP) examination.

Can I “place out” of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences’ language requirement and also receive college credits by taking one of Villanova’s on-line language placement tests?
No. The on-line placement test only determines the correct level of the language course in which you will be placed, together with other factors (experiences with and use of language in school, at home, study abroad). You cannot fulfill the language requirement nor receive college credit by taking Villanova’s on-line language placement test.

What is the content of the language placement test? How long is the placement test? How may I prepare for the language placement test?
The on-line language placement examination in French, German, and Spanish generally takes about 25 minutes to complete and consists of questions on vocabulary, grammar, and reading comprehension. Please note that we have a strict Code of Academic Integrity which applies to taking our on-line placement tests.

When can I take the on-line language placement test?
The on-line French, German, Italian, and Spanish on-line placement tests are available for you to complete on-line 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

What is the deadline for taking the on-line language placement test?
If it applies to you, you are required to take the on-line placement tests in French, German, Italian, or Spanish by June 1. If you miss this deadline, please log onto the site and take the test even though it is late.

How many times can I take the on-line placement test?
Only once. However, if you accidentally close the browser window while taking the French, German, or Spanish placement test or experience other technical problems after logging-in, you can resume the test at the point where you stopped. To resume a previously interrupted on-line placement test in French, German, or Spanish, you must return to the placement test log-in screen and enter your First Name, Last Name, and the same e-mail address as you did when you first took the placement exam! Then, click the “Resume” button.

When do I receive my score on the placement test? What does the score tell me?
If you take the French, German, or Spanish on-line placement test, immediately following your completion of this test, a page titled “Villanova University Spanish (or French, German) Placement Exam Report” will display your score. If you take the Italian on-line placement test, when you click the “Submit” button at the bottom of the page of the on-line test, a page titled “Form Confirmation. Thank you for submitting the following information” will be displayed. You will not receive a score at your e-mail account and your score will not be displayed on the screen for the Italian on-line placement test. We strongly recommend that you print out the page with your score (and even use the File “Save as” feature in browsers) to keep a record on file and so that you have a copy available when you are contacted by your advisor of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Academic Advising Center.

I cannot find the “print-out” of the score! What should I do?
Don’t worry! You can print your score again on the French, German, or Spanish test by returning to the placement test log-in screen (http://webcape.byuhtrsc.org/?acct=vu) Password: wildcats1 and enter your First Name, Last Name, and the same e-mail address as you did when you first took the placement exam! Click the “Resume” button. Your score should be displayed. Print this page again and keep in it a safe place! Your academic advisor can also access your final language placement test score.

Language Placement (When Do I Find Out? How Does it Work)?

When can I find out into which language course I have been placed?
In early August, the Office of the Registrar will automatically enroll you in your Fall classes. Be certain to log-in to NOVASIS to review your schedule.

Whom may I contact if I have a question about the placement test and/or have a question concerning how I was placed into a language course?
You can contact the following names below as well as: College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, St. Augustine Center for the Liberal Arts, Room 303 (3rd Floor).

Freshmen can also contact the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Academic Advising Office. College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Academic Advising Office, St. Augustine Center for the Liberal Arts, Room 451 (4th Floor), Phone: (610) 519-4661, AOL IM: vuadvising, E-mail: as.advising@villanova.edu.

Does Villanova have a foreign language requirement?
Yes. Students enrolled in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are required to take two (2) courses in any one of the ten languages offered by the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures in order to fulfill the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences’ Core Curriculum language requirement.

(a) French, German, Italian, Latin, Spanish Liberal Arts and Sciences’ students are required to complete (2) two semesters of French, German, Italian, Latin, or Spanish at the intermediate level (1121 = Intermediate I; 1122 = Intermediate II) or above in order to complete their language requirement. NOTE: You will not be granted credit for taking introductory courses (1111 or 1112) in a language that you took in high school for 2 years or more.

(b) Arabic, Chinese, Greek (Ancient), Japanese, Russian Liberal Arts and Sciences’ students who decide to enroll in Arabic, Chinese, Greek (Ancient), Japanese, or Russian will fulfill the language requirement by completing two semesters at the introductory level (1111 and 1112). For example, if you complete Introductory Russian I (RUS 1111) and Introductory Russian II (RUS 1112), you will fulfill Liberal Arts and Sciences’ language requirement.

How am I placed into a language course to fulfill the language requirement?
The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures will review your score on an on-line language placement test as well as other factors such as previous experiences with and use of the language at home, in school, and during any stay or study abroad in countries where the language is spoken. Try to do your best on the on-line placement test! It is not beneficial for you to perform poorly since the test is only one of many factors that the Department will consider in order to place you in the correct language course! Thus, the Department reserves the right to place into you the appropriate courses based on a variety of data described above! NOTE: You will not be granted credit for taking introductory courses (1111 or 1112) in a language that you took in high school for 2 years or more.

Bilingual and International Students

If I already speak the language (French, German, Italian, and Spanish) at home and/or am bilingual, do I have to take an on-line language placement test in French, German, Italian, or Spanish?
Yes. Please also make sure to point out this information on the on-line questionnaire which you fill-out online as part of taking the language placement test in French, German, Italian, and Spanish.

If I am a native speaker of a language other than English and I will be considered an “International Student” at Villanova, do I have to take an on-line language placement test in my native language (i.e., French, German, Italian, and Spanish)?
No. International students (for whom English is a second language) are not permitted to choose their native language to fulfill the language requirement. Instead, they may take a total of four English courses (ENG 1050 and three literature courses at the 2100 level or above) to fulfill both the literature and foreign language core requirements. International students may also fulfill Liberal Arts and Sciences’ language requirement if they study a new second language, other than English or their native language. Another option that they have is:

Credit by examination
Students who have a higher level than intermediate in a language taught at the Department may obtain credit by examination and will be able to satisfy the language requirement by taking a test at the 1122 level. There is a fee for this examination. It is offered 3 times per year (October, April and June). Students who are interested in pursuing this option should talk to Assistant Dean, Mario D'Ignazio, Office of the Dean of Arts and Sciences (610.510.4600).