<p>How is the language requirement at Michigan? I read in another thread that residential college language is pass fail- true? How much of a difference is there between the RC program and standard LSA? If I start a new language how long would it take to finish the requirement? Thanks.</p>
<p>The language requirement at Michigan is fourth term proficency. I highly doubt that the RC requirement is just pass fail. However, anyone is able to elect to take a term pass fail, but the final term in the language requirement has to be graded. Also, taking a term in the language requirement at any time is highly discouraged. If you start a new language at Michigan, you'll have to take four semesters worth of that new language. Unless you absolutely can't stand the current language that you're learning, I'd recommend taking the placement test at orientation to see if you can place out of a semester or two (or maybe even all) of the language requirement. I'm sorry if that's a little confusing.</p>
<p>For me, I don't mind this requirement. I actually really enjoy it. I'm seriously thinking about minoring in Spanish because I won't enjoy not taking a foreign language course after I've completed the requirement. (I guess it's just kind of a part of me now. :) However, in high school, I would have never considered it. College changes everything.)</p>
<p>How hard is the placement test? Is it like an AP test or harder or easier (hopefully)?</p>
<p>It's not bad if you know your language and learned everything already in high school (a.k.a. had a good program and got through enough of it to place out of the fourth term in a college setting). The listening portion was pretty annoying though since it was on a tape and wasn't repeated. </p>
<p>I personally placed out of one semester worth of the Spanish requirement. However, the course that I took last semester was a review of the first two semesters (if that makes any sense).</p>
<p>reeses, how many years of spanish did you have prior to the placement test? like, if i'm in fourth year spanish, should i expect to place out of maybe a semester?</p>
<p>I took three semesters in high school. However, based off of what I've learned just in this year, I don't really think my foreign language program in high school was that great even though it certainly wasn't horrible either. In one word, I'd say it was mediocre for me at my high school. (However, my math and science program was very good in my opinion even though I have no intention of doing any of that anymore. :)) It really depends on how far you got as well as your high school's program.</p>
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I highly doubt that the RC requirement is just pass fail.
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<p>GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!</p>
<p>Both 1st and 2nd terms RC language course are AUTOMATICALLY pass fail. They are 8-10 credits, and consume your life, but you learn the language really well. Also, do know that RC proficiency, though taking less time (2 terms vs. 4), is a higher standard than LSA. For example, I know people who would have tested at 4th term LSA proficiency who still had to take 2nd term RC language.</p>
<p>I HIGHLY recommend doing the RC language program IF YOU HAVE A GENUINE INTEREST IN LEARNING A LANGUAGE. If your just one of those people who want's to just get the language req. out of the way just cause its annoying, stay at least 4 city blocks away from East Quad.</p>
<p>KB</p>
<p>Okay... I was wrong about the RC. However, I knew something was fishy when it was just stated that it was pass fail. It's different than LSA!</p>
<p>However, LSA's system is good as well KB. It may not stack up the RC's (hoestly don't know since I haven;t done both and can't compare), but it's still amazing. (I'm not in the RC and actually wasn't interested in it when i applied to Michigan.) You can still learn a language really well in LSA's system if you have the interest to do so. :)</p>
<p>yeah...there are some significant differances b/t LSA and the RC's language programs. The 1st is intent. LSA's program is designed to get you to 4th term proficiency period (meaning passing up to 4 courses). The RC's program isn't just about passing you through. It is designed not only to give you a level of mastery of the language that is equal to native speakers, but also to teach you to think critically in another language. 2nd term RC languge courses and 3rd term "Readings" courses often feature reading and writing assignments comparable to those found in social science and humanities departments, the only difference being that they are in another language.</p>
<p>The RC's language program is a semi-immersion program. In addition to having twice as much class time as the LSA language program, there are language lunch tables in East Quad (which are open to everyone, so if you speak a language, come on over to the South Cafe ;-). Also, there are "coffee hours". During both of these times, students converse with students and instructors in an informal setting. With my paltry 3 weeks of spanish, we've discussed everything from religion race and politics, to how i used the bathroom next to Barack Obama, to what my spanish discussion teacher thinks of the new Bolivian president. Finally, remember that the RC is a residential program, you hear spanish, french, german, latin, and japanese as often as you hear english in the RC hallways. Learning language is sometimes a 24hour a day experience in the RC. </p>
<p>'Tis a bit differant than LSA.</p>