<p>My D had thru Latin 3 in HS (no AP). She tested into 121 level. That was good for her since she hadn’t had latin since sophomore year. If she had stayed with Latin for College of Arts/science she would have had to take that class, plus 122. The latin test is different from, say, Spanish where you do computer part, then if you score high enough you do a spoken section - don’t think there’s one of those for latin. (She chose to take Russian instead where she could also meet requirement with 2 classes). If your D had four good years of latin, she could possibly place out altogether. FYI for those looking at engineering, I think you just have to go through 121 level.</p>
<p>So you test into some LEVEL of your language but still have to take two semesters of foreign language? Did your daughter test into a very entry level class (121?) even though she had three years of Latin in high school? Did she still have to take two semesters of a foreign language (Russian) or just OPT to take them? I thought if you tested well enough you didn’t have to take any FL. Sorry to be so confused! </p>
<p>Docmom, Depending on the language it either follows a [109,110, 122] pattern or a [121, 122] pattern. In the more popular languages (such as Spanish, German, French, etc), they offer both 109 and 121. 109 and 110 are each a semester long. 121 is the equivalent of 109 and 110, only it’s taught in a semester.</p>
<p>So, kids who have experience with the foreign language, usually get placed at a very minimum in the 121 level, which allows them to spend two semesters on the foreign language. Kids who are just plain out awful or don’t know anything at all, start at the 109 level.</p>
<p>The amount of language you have to take depends on your college. The College of Arts and Sciences has one of the highest requirements and requires students to complete at least the 122 level. Students who place into the 200 or 300 level do NOT have to take more foreign language. Students who place at the 122 level have to take one semester of 122. Students who place at the 121 level have to take two semesters.</p>
<p>I had friends in other colleges who literally only needed to complete the equivalent of 109 to graduate, and two years of high school foreign language will do that.</p>
<p>Here is a link that explains it for each language. </p>
<p><a href=“Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures - Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures | University of South Carolina”>Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures - Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures | University of South Carolina;
<p>As an example, my son took the Spanish placement test and scored an S3. His curriculum (Nursing) only requires 2 levels (S2) of a foreign language so he did not need to take any foreign language. </p>
<p>If you took the Spanish Placement Test:
S1 – Eligible for SPAN109
S2 – Eligible for SPAN121
S3 – Eligible for SPAN122</p>
<p>Same with my daughter for Engineering. The Academic Bulletin for both of their majors states, “Students shall demonstrate in one Foreign Language the ability to comprehend the main ideas in written and, with the exception of Latin and Ancient Greek, spoken texts on familiar subjects. This ability can be demonstrated by achieving a score of two or better on a USC foreign language test. Those failing to do so much satisfactorily complete equivalent study of foreign language at USC.”</p>
<p>@docmom, it looks similar for Latin so you just need to look at at the Academic Bulletin for your daughter’s intended major and see what they require and compare it with what is posted below:
LATIN
L0 – Eligible for LATN109 (Assumes no prior knowledge of the language)
If you took the Latin Placement Test:
L1 – Eligible for LATN109<br>
L2 – Eligible for LATN121<br>
L3 – Eligible for LATN122<br>
L4 – Eligible for LATN301</p>
<p>Here’s a link to the Academic Bulletins:
<a href=“http://bulletin.sc.edu/content.php?catoid=73&navoid=8610”>http://bulletin.sc.edu/content.php?catoid=73&navoid=8610</a></p>
<p>^^right. AUgirl did a better job of explaining. My D didn’t place well enough to exempt language - but again not surprised based on how long since been in latin class. She chose to start a new language rather than still do two classes of latin and as AUgirl said, some languages (Russian, Italian…) start at 121 rather than 109 and 110. She actually loved it enough to continue to a higher level and only stopped when it conflicted with other classes. If your D is taking latin up til the end of HS, she may well place out of language altogether. Also, if you have AP credit, that will probably trump placement test (does in math). So if you take AP and make 4 or 5 it looks like you would get credit for 122 and place out.</p>
<p>Aside - my biggest regret is not having both D’s complete enough language in HS to exempt in college. My other D at small LAC basically had to restart and there you have to take 4 semesters (through their 200 level) of a language. At her school, they only do 4 classes a term so 1/4 of her classes her freshman and sophomore year were language classes she hated.</p>
<p>If you get credit in AP, you really <em>should</em> take the placement test.</p>
<p>I got a 2 on my AP French exam and then two weeks later took my Placement test and placed in at the 300 level! USC is usually pretty generous with AP credit, but with foreign language, they’ll only give through 122 level. If you place into 200 or 300, they’ll give you back credit for 121 and 122, as long as you take a 200 or 300 level class and receive at least a B.</p>
<p>My freshman DD took through AP German in high school. She was in the language placement test nearly an hour and advanced through the speaking section. She placed in the 300 level. She loves the German department professors and will participate in the Maymester program in Wittenberg and stay on a few more weeks to volunteer with the “Check Point Charlie” teaching assistant program. The latter program is an opportunity unique to USC and is fully funded -with her only cost being the airline ticket!</p>