Can anyone provide some insight on the World Language Policy at Smeal (not sure if it pertains to other majors as well). I see that Smeal majors need to demonstrate 12th credit level proficiency in one world language. If a student has taken 3 years of a language in high school, do they automatically start in course level 002? If they could start in 001; would you recommend it? Would they be bored or would it be a good refresher (GPA helper)? Anyone with experience with this one…some insight would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
With 3 years of a high school language your student would be require to start with level 2 unless of course they received AP credit for the language. An AP grade of 3 or above will get them between 12 and 18 foreign language credits. They could also switch languages and start with level 1.
See this link for Penn State language placement policy:
http://bulletins.psu.edu/undergrad/generalinformation/Placement2
You are steered away from 001 level languages unless you have 0 experience in them at all. Its slightly annoying as well, because if I wanted to start fresh learning Spanish, 001 Spanish is only taught online…which I am not thrilled about.
My son has 4 years of Spanish, but did not take in this his senior year. Looks like he would have to take 003 level according to the policy. Just wondering how tough it would be to jump into 003 after more than a year and a half removed. Anyone been in similar situation? How did it turn out?
There’s also the 'intensive" option. The course covers 3 semesters in one year, with 5 class periods per week. Most students who take the class have 3-4 years of HS language but don’t feel comfortable starting at the level required by the placement exam.
PennsyDad, mine did the same thing – no language the senior year. He chose to start at 002, and then took 003 as a summer session class, which is very intense but he did just fine.(Both of those classes were in a physical classroom, not online) It’s also possible your son may test out entirely.
Greenbutton; did your son take 4 years in HS? My son took 4 years; 8th thru 11th grade, so I think he has to start in 003 per the policy. Since he hasn’t taken Spanish since first half of junior year (block scheduling), not sure jumping into 003 would be a formula for success.
He had 3.5, from 8th-11th, and actually didn’t start his language requirement until the summer after his freshman year and was still fine. It’s pretty common for students to start at 002, but your son is a prime candidate for intensive – it is (as mentioned) a hybrid class that jumpstarts with a review and moves on to new material. There is LOTS of on campus tutoring for languages, especially Spanish. Personally, if he has the time in his schedule I always would go the conservative route and start at 002. It may be nice to have something less difficult! (There is no “have to” with where they start – he could start at 004 and nothing would stop him!)
Greenbutton; thanks again. Per the policy statement, it says if you have four years in hs…you have to start in 003. You could “audit” 002, but would not receive credit. Looks like he would be able to take 020 (Intensive Spanish) for credit (actually 6 credits), which is essentially the second half of 002 and all of 003…assuming they offer that during the regular school year and not just as part of the “Summer Intensive Language Institute”. Guess I (or he) may have to make a call to the department.
Trust me…it might be a policy, but he could register and go to class without being "caught’. The hybrid class is offered on a particular schedule – if you check the Schedule of Courses, up on the top / right is a button to select a course history and see that timeline.