Languages

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>So Harvard Supplement asks for the languages that the applicant knows (how to write, read, and speak). How well do you have to be able to write or read or speak the language to be able to put that on there? Do you have to be fluent or is "semi-fluent" okay? </p>

<p>Also, If you put a language on there will they contact you and arrange some kind of testing or foreign language interview? I'm asking only because I think I know the language decently, but if they are going to do any tests what I put might be different from what's on there now. I know that's kind of contradictory, but I hope you all know what I mean. I feel good enough about the languages that I'd say to my friends that I know it decently, but I don't really feel like being tested on it or anything. I self-studied two languages, and never took any tests or have any certificates, so really, no evidence. Any one knows?</p>

<p>P.S. Sorry if this is a stupid question; I just really wanted to make sure I don't get anything wrong.</p>

2

<p>Behind the languages that I am not quite fluent in I added "proficient" in brackets. And, at least for me, there was no foreign language interview ;-)</p>

3

<p>Thanks sev1991! I'm glad there's no foreign language interviews. I'm a native Chinese speaker (grew up in China though I'm now in the US), and when I took the AP Chinese Exam last year I still blew the speaking part. I just didn't feel comfortable speaking for a test or an interview, I guess >.<</p>

4

<p>I totally understand what you mean; I'm comfortable being tested on my French but only moderately okay with being tested on my self-studied Spanish, so if there was an interview on it, I'd probably freak. But I did the same as sev1991; I put "proficient" where I wasn't sure. :)</p>

5

<p>same for me, crystalclear, after I tried the german pratice speaking test I decided there was no way i was going to it, even though I am fluent ;-)</p>