<p>When applying for graduate programs in the humanities/social sciences, I know that most graduate programs require knowledge of anywhere from 1 to 3 foreign languages within your research field. However, how do they expect you to prove that proficiency? For instance, this summer I'll be taking courses in Arabic at another institution, and auditing intermediate Arabic next year (we have a credit limit, so I can't take them for credit), but that's the highest level we offer, so I'm intending to try to do a language study abroad program the summer after next year to achieve as close to fluency as I can. Meanwhile, I'm also going to be re-starting French (which I took for several years in high school, and still understand the basics of) at the intermediate level, and hopefully taking an advanced composition class my senior year, so that I'll at least be proficient at reading it. </p>
<p>There's other languages I wish I had time to learn (Chinese, Spanish), but my research interests aren't geographically defined enough to yet require a certain language. Do graduate programs want to see that you passed an undergrad class at a certain level in a language, or do they require you to take a test upon entering to determine your proficiency with each language?</p>
<p>Generally, the higher, the better. I did speak with some grad school profs on this issue and they've told me oh don't worry, we've accepted people with litlte proficiency in Hebrew...</p>
<p>They lied. Got rejected straight out though I'm sure there were other factors but when I did speak to them again, they said, "well we would've liked to see higher proficiency in your languages..." A-hem. Fortunately, the one who did tell me straight up that she wanted 4th year/literature level remained honest and accepted me for her MA program.</p>
<p>Unless they specifically say what level, don't trust their words and do the best you can. My professor did mentioned how important it is to be able to read quickly in that language- at least find out eventually if they expect you to start reading sources in that language upon entering the PhD program, not wait until your dissertation research. She lucked out in her cohort with being absolutely fluent in Russian while her cohort, who had high level of Russian, struggled to keep up with the reading demands. That's scary.</p>
<p>We want to see it on your transcript.
If you end up focusing (at the grad level) on something that involves Arabic, be sure to mention your additional study and experience abroad in your statement of purpose.</p>
<p>Often, the only testing required at the graduate level (in humanities) is French and German for reading knowledge. Other languages needed for one's field of specialization will often be simply assumed. (In other words, no actual testing, but reading literature in those languages will be required in coursework.)</p>
<p>Professor X, what about auditing the language courses? My college only allows us to take 16 credits per semester, a cap that I'm going to hit each semester with the coursework that I already need to do (and can't afford to pay $1000 for each credit above the limit). So, if for example, I audited intermediate French I and II next year, then took an advanced class the next year for credit, you just want to see a grade for the highest level that's been taken?</p>
<p>The answer is Yes.</p>
<p>I know some schools they require (at least) to see you at the Intermediate Level of a certain language you concentrated on. In addition, the semester you took that intermediate level or higher, shouldn't have more than 2 years gap from the time you apply to graduate school.</p>
<p>I know three foreign languages that my college does not offer classes in. These are the three languages that my family speaks at home, and the ones I grew up around. How do I prove I am fluent in such languages without it being on my transcript?</p>
<p>I plan on taking one new foreign language at the college level (Arabic). That will be on my transcript, but the three languages, other than English, that I already know, Urdu, Hindi, and Gujarati, will not show up.</p>
<p>I would mention it in your application (I think there is an area that said to list the language of proficiency) and if any school ask for resume, have those listed in your skills as well.</p>