Language Placement

Do you want to know more about our German language program?

Our primary language placement tool at Macalester College is an online placement exam called Emmersion. Incoming students can find information about the exam on the orientation website. Additional instructions, together with access to the exam, can also be found here.

After completing the exam, students are assigned a score that determines the course in which they should enroll. Students who place into higher levels will need to complete an additional short interview on zoom to confirm their placement in the assigned course. If, during the add/drop period, students find that the assigned course is too easy or too difficult, they should consult with the faculty member teaching that course about options.

To schedule a zoom interview, or for any questions about language placement, contact Professor Ross Shields.

Additional Information

Students entering Macalester with an AP (Advanced Placement) score of 4 receive credit for completing German 203 and are encouraged to register for German 204. Students entering Macalester with an AP (Advanced Placement) score of 5 receive credit for completing German 204 and are encouraged to register for German 308 or 309. In both cases, this  placement also needs to be confirmed by a zoom interview.

Students entering Macalester with an IB (International Baccalaureate) score of 5, 6, or 7 receive credit for completing German 101 and 102 and are encouraged to register for German 203. This placement also needs to be confirmed by a zoom interview.

Students wishing to fulfill their foreign language requirement with German without taking further courses also need to do the interview.