Language Requirement
Basic conversational and reading proficiency in a modern foreign language, or advanced reading proficiency in a classical language.
This requirement may be taken Pass/Not Pass.
The language requirement may be satisfied by:
- Passing a UC San Diego language proficiency exam which consists of a satisfactory score on a standard reading examination and conversational proficiency in an oral interview.
- Placement into courses above intermediate level (typically in Spanish or Chinese Studies). Consult Revelle Advising.
- Completion of a fourth quarter (or higher level) college language course (completion of a third semester intermediate level course if taken outside of UCSD).
- Completion of a UCSD Heritage Language course for bilingual speakers.
- Appropriate AP or IB score.
- Score of 700 or higher on the SATII Language Exam.
- A native speaker of a language other than English and having attended at least one year of high school taught in that language in a foreign country.
Proficiency Exams
- To take a proficiency exam, all students must submit a request form, available here on the proficiency exam website
- Requests will be reviewed and screened by the Language Program office
- Additional information can be found here
High School Abroad
English as a Second Language |
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If your native language is not English AND you attended at least one year of high school abroad (9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grade) taught in a language other than English, you will satisfy the language proficiency requirement. Please contact Revelle Advising through the VAC. You will need to provide a copy of your high school transcript. |
Language Placement
Placement exams in
French, German, Italian and Spanish
French, German, Italian and Spanish
Placement in language is determined by the results of the online language placement exam. Anyone with previous coursework in language is required to take the placement exam. Enroll in the course where you are placed. The placement exam cannot be repeated.
Exemptions from language placement exam:
- Native speaker
- AP score of 3 or above - follow the AP chart for language.
- Three or more semesters of community college or 4 quarters or more of college language study.
After students complete French, German, Italian, or Spanish LI**1C/1CX, they have the option to take either their final language course through the Linguistics Department (LI**1D/1DX) or through the Literature Department (LT**2A). See here for considerations.
If placement is above fourth quarter (1D/1DX), please contact Revelle Advising
Placement in American Sign Language, Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Hebrew,
Japanese, Korean, Latin, Portuguese, and Russian
Japanese, Korean, Latin, Portuguese, and Russian
If no former study of this language, enroll in this first course in the sequence | If you have ever studied or had exposure to the language, take placement exam | Course Needed for Proficiency* | |
---|---|---|---|
American Sign Language | LISL 1A/1AX | Contact ASL Academic Coordinator Peggy Lott | LISL 1D/DX |
Arabic | LIAB 1A/1AX | Contact one of the Arabic Instructors | LIAB 1D/1DX |
Chinese | CHIN 10A | All students must take a placement interview before enrolling in a CHIN course. Click here for more information. | CHIN 20A |
Greek | LTGK 1 | Contact the instructor of Greek language in the Department of Literature | LTGK 101, 102, 103, 104, or 105 |
Hebrew | JWSP 1 | Contact the Jewish Studies advisor to schedule placement test | JWSP 101 or 104 |
Japanese | JAPN 10A |
All students must take a placement test before enrolling in a JAPN course. Follow instructions here |
JAPN 20A |
Bilingual speakers, see Heritage Language section below |
LTKO 1A | See instructor Jeyseon Lee for placement text | LTKO 2A |
Latin | LTLA 1 | Contact the Classics advisor in the Department of Literature | LTLA 100, 102, 103, 104, or 105 |
Portuguese | LIPO 1A/1AX | Contact one of the Portuguese Instructors | LIPO 1D/DX |
Russian | LTRU 1A | Possible to place higher than first course. Contact Rebecca Wells | LTRU 2A |
*If placement is higher than courses listed, please contact Revelle Advising
Language Placement with AP or IB Credit
For information about AP credit, see AP Chart
For information about IB credit, see IB Chart
Note: If you receive AP, IB or previous college credit, you will not be given credit for repeating the equivalent course, or taking a lower level course.
When Language Courses are Offered
Courses Offered by the Linguistics Department
Department | Fall | Winter | Spring |
---|---|---|---|
Spanish (LISP), French (LIFR), American Sign Language (LISL), German (LIGM), Arabic (LIAB), Italian (LIIT), Portuguese (LIPO) | 1A/1AX | 1B/1BX | 1C/1CX |
1D/1DX* | |||
Spanish (LISP), French (LIFR), American Sign Language (LISL) | 1A/1AX | ||
1B/1BX | 1C/1CX | 1D/1DX* |
Linguistics classes consist of two separate 2.5 unit courses.
*Satisfies proficiency requirement
Courses Offered by the Institute of Arts and Humanities
Department | Level | Fall | Winter | Spring |
---|---|---|---|---|
Chinese (CHIN) | 1st year | 10AN/10AM/10AD | 10BN/10BM/10BD | 10CN/10CM/10CD |
Chinese (CHIN) | 2nd year | 20AN/20AM/20AD* | 20BN/20BM/20BD* | 20CN/20CD* |
Hebrew (JWSP) | 1st year | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Hebrew (JWSP) | 2nd year | 104* | ||
Japanese (JAPN) | 1st year | 10A | 10B | 10C |
Japanese (JAPN) | 2nd year | 20A* | 20B |
*Satisfies proficiency requirement
Courses Offered by the Literature Department
Department | Level | Fall | Winter | Spring |
---|---|---|---|---|
Spanish (LTSP), French (LTFR) | 2nd year | 2A* | 2A* | |
German (LTGM) | 2nd year | 2A* | ||
Greek (LTGK) | 1st year | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Greek (LTGK) | 2nd year | LTGK 104* | ||
Italian (LTIT) | 2nd year | 2A* | ||
Korean (LTKO), Russian (LTRU) | 1st year | 1A | 1B | 1C |
Korean (LTKO), Russian (LTRU) | 2nd year | 2A* | ||
Latin (LTLA) | 1st year | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Latin (LTLA) | 2nd year | 100* | 102/103/105* |
*Satisfies proficiency requirement
Heritage Languages for Bilingual Speakers
Heritage Language Program (HLP) courses can be taken three times for credit. Topics vary each quarter.
Armenian | LIHL 113+* |
Cantonese | LIHL 118* |
Filipino (Tagalog) | LIHL 112* |
Hindi | LIHL 119* |
Korean | LIHL 115+* |
Persian | LIHL 117* |
Vietnamese | LIHL 114* |
+ Courses not offered in 2023-2024 academic year
*Satisfies proficiency requirement