Second Language Proficiency Requirement

So you want to fulfill your foreign language requirement…

Feeling lost about how to complete your foreign language requirement? Ready to jump into advanced coursework with a prior language?

For language-learners of all levels, we’re here to help you understand what fulfills the requirement and choose the right course for you. Below are the languages Macalester offers: click on each block to learn more about its course sequencing and departmental registration requirements.

Languages Offered @ Mac

For course-specific questions, contact the registrar at registrar@macalester.edu | *contact russian-studies@macalester.edu for Russian language placement information

Frequently Asked Questions

Potentially! If you are fluent in a language other than English above the Intermediate Level, contact Academic Programs (academicprograms@macalester.edu) or fill out this form to discuss waiving your requirement.

Waiver Applications are reviewed twice per year: June 15-September 15 and the month of December.

Instances which often facilitate a waived requirement include:
- living in another country and attending school in a language other than English (transcript required)
- being a heritage speaker (must have Intermediate Level reading and writing skills)
- obtaining a score of 5 on the AP Language exam (Chinese, German, or Japanese)
- obtaining a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Language exam (French or Spanish)
- obtaining a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Literature exam (Spanish)
- obtaining a score of 7 on the IB HL Language exam (Chinese or Japanese)
As part of the ACTC Consortium, Macalester students are able to enroll in courses at participating institutions (Macalester College, University of St. Thomas, St. Catherine University, Hamline University, and Augsburg University). For more information, click here. Macalester also partners with the University of Minnesota to allow students to take their language courses. You will need to work with The Registrar to gain prior approval before registering.
Yes, if you begin with an accelerated language course (FREN 111, GERM 110, PORT 111, or SPAN 110), you will be able to complete the Intermediate Level requirement in two semesters by taking two consecutive accelerated courses. Note: this is only available for French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish.
If you are an incoming first-year student, log on to your New Student Portal, where the placement exam is listed as an item to complete prior to arriving on campus.

We recommend incoming first-year students take the exam in July in order to be able to register for their proper course level. For current students, you can review our How-To Guide for the link and instructions to take the placement test.

*Placement tests are accurate assessments of your currently level and should not be taken more than once in your time at Macalester.

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Second Language Proficiency Requirement

So you want to fulfill your foreign language requirement…

Languages Offered @ Mac

Frequently Asked Questions

Potentially! If you are fluent in a language other than English above the Intermediate Level, contact Academic Programs (academicprograms@macalester.edu) or fill out this form to discuss waiving your requirement.

Instances which often facilitate a waived requirement include:

living in another country and attending school in a language other than English (transcript required)

being a heritage speaker (must have Intermediate Level reading and writing skills)

obtaining a score of 5 on the AP Language exam (Chinese, German, or Japanese)

obtaining a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Language exam (French or Spanish)

obtaining a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Literature exam (Spanish)

obtaining a score of 7 on the IB HL Language exam (Chinese or Japanese)

Yes, if you begin with an accelerated language course (FREN 111, GERM 110, PORT 111, or SPAN 110), you will be able to complete the Intermediate Level requirement in two semesters by taking two consecutive accelerated courses. Note: this is only available for French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish.

If you are an incoming first-year student, log on to your New Student Portal, where the placement exam is listed as an item to complete prior to arriving on campus.

We recommend incoming first-year students take the exam in July in order to be able to register for their proper course level. For current students, you can review our How-To Guide for the link and instructions to take the placement test.

LINKS

Second Language Proficiency Requirement

So you want to fulfill your foreign language requirement…

Languages Offered @ Mac

Frequently Asked Questions

I am already fluent in a language other than English, do I already meet the requirement?

Potentially! If you are fluent in a language other than English above the Intermediate Level, contact Academic Programs (academicprograms@macalester.edu) or fill out this form to discuss waiving your requirement.

Instances which often facilitate a waived requirement include:

living in another country and attending school in a language other than English (transcript required)

being a heritage speaker (must have Intermediate Level reading and writing skills)

obtaining a score of 5 on the AP Language exam (Chinese, German, or Japanese)

obtaining a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Language exam (French or Spanish)

obtaining a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Literature exam (Spanish)

obtaining a score of 7 on the IB HL Language exam (Chinese or Japanese)

What if I want to study a language not offered at Macalester?

If I take an accelerated language course, will I complete the requirement in two semesters instead of four?

How do I take the placement test?

If you are an incoming first-year student, log on to your New Student Portal, where the placement exam is listed as an item to complete prior to arriving on campus.

We recommend incoming first-year students take the exam in July in order to be able to register for their proper course level. For current students, you can review our How-To Guide for the link and instructions to take the placement test.

LINKS