Placement into Language Courses

Learning a second language is a key piece of a well-rounded education in the reality of today’s global world. No matter what you choose to study, learning another language will open new possibilities for you in the future and will enhance your resumes in an increasingly competitive job market. Language study is central to the college experience in exploring how as individuals we relate to the rest of the planet. Deepening the study of another language opens your eyes to new realities and other ways to see the world. Whether you want to explore a new language, expand your knowledge of another language and cultural understanding of the world, or meet the minimum college requirements, the following table will guide you on how to start or continue your language studies at Gustavus. 

Seven languages are offered at Gustavus: French, Greek, Japanese, Latin, Russian, Spanish and Swedish.

All languages offer majors and minors. Talk to an advisor in the language if you would like more information about how to major/minor.

IMPORTANT:
  • Language placement at Gustavus is based on your previous experience in that language. Students with previous language experience must adhere to placement guidelines on this page. If you have questions about your placement, please contact Prof. Ana Adams at (aadams3@gustavus.edu)
  • If you have previous coursework in a non-English language, it is to your benefit to register for language courses as soon as possible in your freshman year to avoid long gaps. We highly recommend you register in a language course your first semester at Gustavus. If you are unable to take a language course in the Fall, make sure to add it to your Spring registration.

Years of language taken in highschool
French
Greek & Latin
Japanese
Russian
Spanish
Swedish
No classroom experience in the language or 1 year or less FRE 101 (Fall only)

LAT 101 (Fall only)

GRE 101 (Spring only) 

JPN 101 (Fall only)

or talk with instructor to confirm 

 RUS 101 (Fall only) SPA 101  SWE 101 (Fall only)
2 years of classroom experience FRE 102 (Spring only)

LAT 102 (Fall only)

GRE 102 (Fall only)

 JPN 102 (Spring only) RUS 101 (Fall only)

SPA 102

 ** The prerequisite for Spa 102 is to complete Spa 101 or two years of previous Spanish coursework. Students who have only completed Spanish 1 in high school cannot be in Spa 102.**

**Students who have completed Spanish level 4 and 5 in highschool may not register at the Spa 102 level as they are not considered beginners**
 Placement to be determined after consultation with faculty in the Dept. of Scandinavian Studies
3 years of classroom experience FRE 201 (Fall only) A 200 level Latin/Greek course (Fall or Spring) JPN 201 (Fall only) RUS 102 (Spring only) SPA 201 Placement to be determined after consultation with faculty in the Dept. of Scandinavian Studies
4 years of classroom experience FRE 202 (Spring only) A 300 level Latin/Greek course (Fall or Spring) JPN 202 (Spring only) Placement to be determined after conversation with faculty in the Russian section

SPA 202

**If you completed Spanish level 5 or AP Language (did not pass test or did not do the test), you should take Spa 202. Please see below if completed the Spanish AP test**		 Placement to be determined after consultation with faculty in the Dept. of Scandinavian Studies
More than 4 years of classroom experience FRE 251 (Fall only)

or

FRE 252 (Spring only)		 A 300 level Latin/Greek course (Fall or Spring) Contact Japanese section faculty Placement to be determined after conversation with faculty in the Russian section Any 2xx-level course beyond SPA202. Menu of courses available Fall 2024. Placement to be determined after consultation with faculty in the Dept. of Scandinavian Studies
More than 4 years of classroom experience with immersion FRE 251 (Fall only)

or

FRE 252 (Spring only)		 A 300 level Latin/Greek course (Fall or Spring) Contact Japanese section faculty Placement to be determined after conversation with faculty in the Russian section Any 2xx-level course beyond SPA202. Menu of courses available Fall 2024. Placement to be determined after consultation with faculty in the Dept. of Scandinavian Studies

Passed AP language exam (score of 4 or more) or IB (higher level exams)

 FRE 251 (Fall only)

or

FRE 252 (Spring only)		 A 300 level Latin/Greek course (Fall or Spring) Contact Japanese section faculty Placement to be determined after conversation with faculty in the Russian section Any 2xx-level course beyond SPA202. Menu of courses available Fall 2024. N/A

Took AP language class but did not pass the test (scored 3 or lower) or did not take the test

 FRE 251 (Fall only)

or

FRE 252 (Spring only)		 A 300 level Latin/Greek course (Fall or Spring) Contact Japanese section faculty Placement to be determined after conversation with faculty in the Russian section

Spa 202

**If you would like to be considered for a higher class, contact Ana Adams**		 N/A

Took AP Language and AP literature

 Contact the French section faculty  Probably a 300 level Latin course (Fall or Spring), but speak to department chair (seaston@gustavus.edu) Contact Japanese section faculty Placement to be determined after conversation with faculty in the Russian section Any 2xx-level course beyond SPA202. Menu of courses available Fall 2024. N/A

Native or Heritage speakers* 

 Placement to be determined after conversation with faculty in the French section. N/A Placement to be determined after conversation with faculty in the Japanese section. Placement to be determined after conversation with faculty in the Russian section Any 2xx-level course beyond SPA202. Menu of courses available Fall 2024. Placement to be determined after consultation with faculty in the Dept. of Scandinavian Studies

*Heritage speaker: “a person who has learned a language informally by being exposed to it at home as opposed to having learned it formally in a school setting. It may be their native tongue – the language they identify as being their primary language – but more often than not, their heritage language becomes secondary to English, the language in which they receive their formal education and is used the most in their daily life outside the home. A heritage speaker may speak the language easily and fluidly (what we call fluency) but may not have learned the language to its full functional capacity. (Language Testing International)

With any questions or for course recommendation, please contact the Chair of the Department of Modern Languages, Ana Adams, at aadams3@gustavus.edu


If you have previous coursework in a non-English language, it is to your benefit to register for language courses as soon as possible in your freshman year to avoid long gaps. We highly recommend you register in a language course your first semester at Gustavus. If you are unable to take a language course in the Fall, make sure to add it to your Spring registration!