Language Requirements-Language Placements

Credits by Examination--Official Policy
NOTE:  You MUST take a Placement Exam in order to be eligible for the following credits. The test is administered by the University Testing Office.  The University Testing Lab is open Tuesday through Friday: Tues & Thurs between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.; Wed & Fri between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.  Students must bring a picture ID with them.  Location Erickson 231.  Students are strongly encouraged to call 812-237-7666 for an appointment because space is limited.

Basic Studies Foreign Language Requirement

Students entering the University under the General Education 2000 program are required to complete two semesters of a single foreign language to meet the Basic Studies requirement in this area. The requirement may also be met in the following ways:

* by the successful completion of two or more years of a single foreign language at the high school level with a foreign language grade point average of C or better, or
* by the transfer of two semesters of a single foreign language from another college or university.

International students whose first language is not English are exempt from this requirement. Students entering Indiana State University with an Associate or higher degree from an institution other than Indiana State University may be exempted from this requirement at the discretion of the college in which they enroll.

Students who have not formally satisfied the General Education Basic Studies foreign language requirement are placed into level 101 or level 102 language classes based on their academic work in high school. Freshmen students with no previous foreign language experience should choose the 101 elementary course in the language of their choice (French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Russian, Portuguese or Spanish), followed by the 102 elementary course in the same language in order to complete the requirement.

Students who have satisfied the General Education Basic Studies foreign language requirement and who wish to take further course work in a language are encouraged to take the Language Placement Examination in order to determine the level of language course work most appropriate for them. Depending upon the level of placement, students may receive credit for their knowledge of the language, some of which may count toward General Education Liberal Studies. The test is administered by the University Testing Office.

The Department also administers the English as a Second Language Proficiency Test to international students who wish to place out of ESL 103A or ESL 103B.

(Automatic) Placement criteria for those who have not satisfied the General Education Basic Studies Foreign Language Requirement

(Screening done by Admissions office, based on record of FL study in high school) 

 Students are placed into 102 if they have  

a)  completed 2 or 3 semesters of a single foreign language in high school with a minimum B+ average, or 

b)    completed 2 years of a single foreign language in high school with at least a B average in one year

 All else:  enroll in 101

 NOTE REGARDING ADMINISTRATION OF THE CAPE TEST:

 1)  The CAPE Test is to be administered only to students who have already met the Basic Studies foreign language requirement (completion of 2 years of a single language in high school or 2 semesters in college with a minimum C average).  Students who have not completed the foreign language requirement are placed into a foreign language class according to the criteria specified above.

2)  It is explicitly stated by the developers of the CAPE test that it is NOT designed to be used as a test-out exam, and that it is inaccurate especially in the lower levels.   It is designed only for use as a placement test, where inexact measurement is acceptable. 

3)  Each student who requests to take the CAPE exam should show proof via DARS that he/she has completed the Basic Studies foreign language requirement.  Students who cannot provide such proof are not allowed to take the exam and should be reminded of the automatic placement criteria outlined above.

Other Language Placement Information:

All entering students who are exempt from the Basic Studies Foreign Language Requirement but who wish to continue language study are required to take the Foreign Language Placement Test. Students may receive elective credits for their knowledge of the language.  For information regarding this test, contact the University Testing Office.