<p>I cant seem to find if simmons has any general course requirements or core curriculum apart from the major. If someone could post a link i looked everywhere and would appreciate it</p>
<p>They’re called Modes of Inquiry, and the course catalog tells you everything you need to know: <a href=“Course Catalog | Simmons University”>http://simmons.edu/overview/academics/catalogs/</a></p>
<p>Simmons requires foreign language for graduation. Is the quality of the teaching of languages at Simmons high? Do most students do well in the courses, or are the languages courses known for students crashing and burning? It looks like it’s almost impossible to transfer in any credits in foreign languages. What is the deal?</p>
<p>I personally am pleased with foreign language here, but I’ve heard mixed things. I placed out of the language requirement but my major (ESL) requires I finish through my 5th semester (which I am in now). My class is much more difficult than my high school classes but my Spanish has improved dramatically. My professor is tough but really knows her stuff. I’ve heard good things about the other professors as well. </p>
<p>I know a few people who are exempt from the language requirement (you take a proctored exam in the fall), but most students who only took 3-4 years of a language in high school won’t make the cut (they would be placed into the 201 level most likely, which is the last required class). If you get a passing grade on an AP exam, above a 500 on a language SAT subject test, or a native speaker of another language, you are exempt.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, our language department is small, like a good number of departments here. Spanish is the only language where each course is offered every semester (101, 102, 201, 202, 245). For the other languages, if you place into 102 for the fall you would have to wait for it to be offered in the spring. However, if your schedule allows it there would be nothing stopping you from taking 101 in the fall, then continuing on. My professor often lends her textbook out to students who cannot fit her course into their schedule but would like to brush up.</p>
<p>However, a few of my friends who started at the 101 level have said that it is difficult to learn a language from the very beginning, as the pace is faster than it was in high school. Out of everyone I know who started a new language, the ones that are most stressed are PT majors who must keep a certain GPA (including non-PT courses) to stay in the program. My friends haven’t totally crashed and burned but I suspect they thought that learning a language would be easy and they wouldn’t have to put as much effort as they thought in - so it’s been an unpleasant wakeup call for them. Some of the transfers I know claim that they were never told about the language requirement or their credits didn’t transfer. The latter might have happened, but I find the former hard to believe. This, combined with the fact that most lower-level language classes are only offered in the early morning, makes a lot of people loathe the language requirement. I personally don’t mind it, but I am also well-beyond the requirement. I think 2 semesters would be more reasonable, but 3 is not the worst.</p>
<p>Hmm. Very interesting. Thank you SO much!</p>