Language Courses and Requirements at Gustavus

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. 

Starting with the registration for fall 2023, the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures does not place students according to a placement test. Rather, the department will use your previous experience in language courses as credentials that indicate the level at which you should begin your two-semester sequence. 

Years you have taken the language in highschool courses French German Japanese Russian Spanish
No classroom experience in the language or 1 year or less FRE 101 GER 101 JPN 101 or talk with instructor to confirm RUS 101 SPA 101
2 years of classroom experience FRE 102 GER 102 JPN 102 RUS 101 SPA 102
3 years of classroom experience FRE 201 GER 201 JPN 201 RUS 102 SPA 103
4 years of classroom experience FRE 202 GER 202 JPN 202 RUS 201 upon discussion with Russian section faculty  SPA 200
More than 4 years of classroom experience

FRE 251

or

FRE 252

Contact German section faculty  Contact Japanese section faculty RUS 202 upon discussion with Russian section faculty SPA 250
More than 4 years of classroom experience with immersion or Native speakers

FRE 251

or

FRE 252

Contact German section faculty  Contact Japanese section faculty RUS 251 or RUS 253 upon discussion with Russian section faculty SPA 250
Heritage speakers* Placement to be determined after conversation with faculty in the French section. Placement to be determined after conversation with faculty in the German section. Placement to be determined after conversation with faculty in the Japanese section. Placement to be determined after conversation with faculty in the Russian section. Placement to be determined after conversation with faculty in the Spanish section.

*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.” (Language Testing International)

Only for the registration process for fall 2023: If you took the placement test before March 31st, 2023, you can also use those results to register in the class indicated in your placement test result. 

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.