Second Language Frequently Asked Questions

The College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota believes in the power of language study to enhance student success and ensure CLA graduates stand out in a competitive job market. Through language study, you will develop unique aspects of the core competencies that employers value, including:

• Oral and written proficiency. In your language courses, you’ll gain a deeper awareness of the power of language, expand the communities you can communicate with, and refine your ability to communicate with varied audiences.
• Analytical and critical thinking. Learning to identify, understand, and analyze different perspectives takes your critical thinking skills to a new level and prepares you to learn from and engage with people who may think differently than you.
• Teamwork and leadership. When learning a new language, you’ll build your ability to engage with others’ ideas, develop strategies to overcome challenges, and practice collaborative decision-making through pair and group work.
• Active citizenship and community engagement. Through language study, you’ll explore relationships between individuals and their communities and consider your role in both local and global communities. 
• Digital literacy. You’ll interact with various types of media throughout your language studies, analyze how they are constructed, and even create digital media yourself!
• Engaging diversity. The more you learn about another culture, the more you will understand yourself and be able to interact with perspectives that are different from your own.

Folks in CLA know that language study has a wide variety of benefits that extend beyond learning the language itself, which is why it is a cornerstone of your CLA experience.

As a CLA student, you can take courses in over 25 different modern and ancient languages on campus and even more through the Big Ten CourseShare program. If you are continuing with a language you studied in high school, you will likely be able to start at the second-semester level or higher. If you have previous experience, some languages offer accelerated sequences that can help you move through coursework more quickly. Talk to your advisor for more information.

There are also advantages to beginning a new language that you weren’t previously able to study. Starting a new language might allow you to:

• Meet new people
• Enjoy smaller class sizes
• Connect with your cultural heritage
• Explore a new culture
• Gain a deeper appreciation for cultural products (think anime in Japan or K-pop in Korea), and more!

No matter what language you choose, you’ll benefit from learning in an environment where you are supported by your instructor and your peers. It’s much easier to learn a language when you test out your skills through interaction rather than going it alone!

Whether you are starting a new language or continuing with a language you’ve previously studied, it is a good idea to map out how you’ll fulfill your language requirement as soon as possible. Knowing what you need to do to fulfill the requirement and completing it early helps you stay on target to graduate on time.

If you’re continuing with a language you previously studied, it is best to start your university language classes right away. If you take a semester (or more) off, you might forget some of what you’ve learned and jumping back in might take more effort. If relevant, be sure to complete any placement procedures before you begin your first class.

If you’re starting a new language, you also might discover a new passion and want to make time for a minor or second major in that language!

If you are starting a new language, then you will take the first-semester course and no placement test is necessary. 

If you have taken two years of Spanish, French, or German in high school and plan to continue at the college level, SPAN, FREN, or GER 1022 may be a good fit for you. This is an accelerated second-semester course, which begins with a review of first-semester material. Additional information about placement is available via the French, German, and Spanish course placement pages.

If you have had more than two years of second language study in high school or otherwise have background in a language, you should take a placement test or follow the placement procedures for your language to determine which course is the best fit for you.

Depending upon your background in the language you’re continuing to study, you might take the Entrance Proficiency Test (EPT), the Language Proficiency Exam (LPE), or follow alternative procedures specified for your language. See the Language Testing Program for complete information.

You may request to receive retroactive (or "retro") credits for lower division (1/2xxx level) language courses when you complete a more advanced course. However, you cannot request retro credits for the first-semester course (the 1001 course). The more advanced course must be taken on campus or through a UMN-sponsored learning abroad program that receives resident UMN credit.

For example, if you earn a passing grade for FREN 1004 in the fall, you can request retro credit for FREN 1002 and 1003 (but not FREN 1001) after your grade has been posted. Retro credits are only awarded based on completed University of Minnesota resident credit coursework, not on placement test results. Visit your academic advisor to fill out the paperwork needed to receive retro credit.

If you have completed a first-, second-, or third-semester course, please review the placement procedures to continue your language studies. If you have completed a fourth-semester or sixth-quarter, four-credit (minimum) course with a grade of C- or better, or S, you have fulfilled the second language requirement. If you have completed a fourth-semester language course of three credits or fewer, consult with your academic advisor. Your advisor will verify that the course you took was the right level and number of credits. 

If you would like to continue beyond the fourth semester, consult the language department for placement procedures or talk to your academic advisor.

Bilingual seals can be used to fulfill the CLA language requirement as long as the seal certifies proficiency at the Intermediate High level or higher. Each state determines the proficiency level at which they award their state seal. 

Check the list below for the state that awarded your seal to see if the seal you earned is accepted. If there is a No by your state, then that state awards the seal at a lower proficiency level and CLA is not able to accept the seal to meet the requirement. Please follow the placement procedures to continue your studies and fulfill your language requirement.

If you completed your seal in the State of Minnesota, then you should submit your official high school transcript with the seal indicated on it and email [email protected] a copy of the PDF certificate your school emailed you. Students who earned a seal outside the state of Minnesota should submit documentation via this Bilingual Seal Completion form of their earned seal. 

While bilingual seals can be used to fulfill the language requirement, they do not carry credit. 

Here is a listing of the states:

Each college sets its own requirements for graduation, so you must check with your college advisor for your language requirements. You’re welcome to enroll in the many language courses offered at the U even if you don’t need to fulfill a requirement!

Please discuss your situation with a college advisor to see how you should fulfill your language requirement.

Fantastic! Start by consulting the placement procedures for the language you’re interested in so that you know which course to enroll in. You should also consult the major/minor requirements for your language on its home department’s webpage and talk with your advisor. You can also reach out to the department directly to learn more!

Fluency means a lot of different things to different people. Through language study at the U, you’ll build your proficiency to use the language you’re studying to communicate in many different contexts, but that isn’t the only goal! Regardless of your level of proficiency, studying a second language helps you develop core competencies that employers value, giving you a critical advantage in the professional world. Studying a language also helps you think in new ways, better understand other cultures and perspectives, and even learn more about the language and culture you’ve grown up with.