<p>On Assist one of the requirements for political Econ major is proficiency in a modern language or have an equivalent to four college-level semesters (or two years) by their last semester of senior year. So what can be considered a modern language? I speak Somali and upon checking the definition of modern language, I came to the conclusion that it meant any language that is still in use. I know its not a major language, but more than 10 million people speak it world wide.</p>
<p>See page 4: <a href=“http://iastp.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/PE%20Handbook.pdf[/url]”>http://iastp.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/PE%20Handbook.pdf</a></p>
<p>In short, if you’re a non-English native speaker, and had a high school education in a foreign language, the requirement is satisfied. If there is a Somali foreign language proficiency exam at Cal, and you pass it, the requirement is satisfied.</p>
<p>I can’t find anywhere that lists what language proficiency exams are offered. Here are some people/places you might contact:</p>
<p>This grad student in the linguistics department lists Somali as a language. How proficient he is, I don’t know. You might check with him about the Somali instruction offered at Berkeley, if any.
[Profile</a> : Daniel Bruhn - Linguistics Department, UC Berkeley](<a href=“People | Linguistics”>People | Linguistics)</p>
<p>The Center for African Studies says it is developing coursework in Somali. There may be a professor there who could administer a one-on-one proficiency exam, if no formal exam exists:
<a href=“http://africa.berkeley.edu/languages/LanguageResources.php[/url]”>http://africa.berkeley.edu/languages/LanguageResources.php</a></p>
<p>Thanks for the info nick. I will try and contact the grad student and see if I can have a proficiency test. If that doesn’t work out, I can also use the second language I know quite well, Arabic. So when we apply as transfer do we have to have the requirement filled. Or is it after we’re accepted?</p>