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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 Program 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

  • Take the proficiency exam if your language proficiency is already above intermediate level in order to satisfy the language requirement without taking language classes.
  • 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. Contact them through the VAC with any questions.
  • Additional information can be found on the Linguistics Language Program (LLP) website.

High School Abroad

English as a Second Language

  • 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

Exam Information

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 
French LIFR 1A/1AX Take the online placement exam LIFR 1D/1DX or LTFR 2A
German LIGM 1A/1AX Take the online placement exam LIGM 1D/1DX or LTGM 2A
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 
Italian LIIT 1A/1AX Take the online placement exam LIIT 1D/1DX or LTIT 2A
Japanese JAPN 10A

All students must take a placement test before enrolling in a JAPN course. Follow instructions here

 JAPN 20A 

Korean

 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 
Spanish LISP 1A/1AX Take the online placement exam LISP 1D/1DX or LTSP 2A
Spanish – Heritage Speakers Contact the Literature Spanish Language Coordinator Ryan Bessett LTSP 2F

*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 (PDF)

For information about IB credit, see IB Chart (PDF)

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, Literature,
and Institute of Arts and Humanities Departments

Language Department Level Fall Winter Spring
American Sign Language (LISL) Linguistics

1st year

 1A/1AX
1B/1BX		 1B/1BX
1C/1CX		 1C/1CX
1A/1AX
2nd year 1D/1DX* 1D/1DX*
Arabic (LIAB) Linguistics 1st year 1A/1AX 1B/1BX 1C/1CX
2nd year 1D/1DX*
Chinese (CHIN) Institute of Arts and Humanities 1st year

10AN/10AM

/10AD

10BN/10BM

/10BD

10CN/10CM

/10CD
2nd year

20AN/20AM

/20AD*

20BN/20BM

/20BD*

 20CN/20CD*
French (LIFR) Linguistics 1st year 1A/1AX
1B/1BX		 1B/1BX
1C/1CX		 1C/1CX
1A/1AX
2nd year 1D/1DX* 1D/1DX*
French (LTFR) Literature 2nd year 2A* 2A*
German (LIGM) Linguistics 1st year 1A/1AX 1B/1BX 1C/1CX
2nd year 1D/1DX*
German (LTGM) Literature 2nd year 2A*
Greek (LTGK) Literature 1st year 1 2 3
2nd year LTGK 104*
Hebrew (JWSP) Institute of Arts and Humanities 1st year 1 2 3
2nd year 104*
Italian (LIIT) Linguistics 1st year 1A/1AX 1B/1BX 1C/1CX
2nd year 1D/1DX*
Italian (LTIT) Literature 2nd year 2A*
Japanese (JAPN) Institute of Arts and Humanities 1st year 10A 10B 10C
2nd year 20A* 20B
Korean (LTKO) Literature 1st year 1A 1B 1C
2nd year 2A*
Latin (LTLA) Literature 1st year 1 2 3
2nd year 100*

102/103

/105*
Portuguese (LIPO) Linguistics 1st year 1A/1AX 1B/1BX 1C/1CX
2nd year 1D/1DX*
Russian (LTRU) Literature 1st year 1A 1B 1C
2nd year 2A*
Spanish (LISP) Linguistics 1st year 1A/1AX
1B/1BX		 1B/1BX
1C/1CX		 1C/1CX
1A/1AX
2nd year 1D/1DX* 1D/1DX*
Spanish (LTSP) Literature 2nd year 2A*
2F* (heritage speakers)		 2A*

*Satisfies the 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*, 138*
Filipino (Tagalog) LIHL 112*, 132*
Hindi LIHL 119*+, 139*+
Korean LIHL 115*+, 135*+
Persian LIHL 117*, 137*
Vietnamese LIHL 114*, 124*, 134*

+ Courses not currently offered
* Satisfies proficiency requirement