Skip to main content

Options for Students with Prior Language Knowledge

 

 

Students from all majors are able to add a language degree and double major.

Continue Your Language Studies

The Department of World Languages encourages all students with prior language knowledge to consider the pursuit of a double major, minor or language certificate. Through options such as the placement test and challenge exam, students are able to gain credit for existing skills, providing a jump start for continued language studies.

Placement Tests

Advantages:

  • Attend the appropriate level of course and work with classmates with similar proficiency.
  • Take culture, interpreting, linguistics, film & literature classes sooner.
  • One step closer to a certificate, minor, or major in your language. Earn between 4-16 credits toward graduation for the courses you are able to bypass by taking the challenge exam or paying for credit for prior learning. The placement test does not issue credit for prior learning, but is used as a tool to help student’s determine the most appropriate language course.

Placement Exam Instructions for French & Spanish

Step 1: Visit this page for information on how to schedule your exam through Language Testing International. Be sure to review the technical specifications to ensure you are using a compatible device to take the exam.

Step 2: Use the login information emailed to you to take the test at the scheduled time. Please allow up to two hours to complete the test.

Step 3: Allow 24 hours for your score to be entered into the system. Register for the course suggested on your results page.

If you have questions about courses or pursuing a language major, minor or certificate, please stop by our front office.

Placement Exam Instructions for German

Step 1: Visit the testing center website, to schedule your test.

Step 2: Bring your student ID and payment receipt to your scheduled appointment. Please allow up to two hours to complete the test.

Step 3: Allow 24 hours for your score to be entered into the system. Register for the course suggested on your results page.

If you have questions about courses or pursuing a language major, minor or certificate, please stop by our front office.

Placement Exam Instructions for Arabic, ASL, Basque, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Latin

Step 1: Please send an email to the faculty member listed below:

Step 2: Register for the course suggested on your results page. If you have questions about courses or pursuing a language major, minor or certificate, please stop by our Front Office.

Gain a Global Advantage

“In the world we share with 7 billion people, over 75% don’t understand any English.”
– Lead with Languages Campaign

Video Placeholder Image
Play Lead with Languages: Making Language Proficiency a National Priority

Challenge Exams & Credit for Prior Language Learning

Advantages

  • Earn a grade of pass or a letter grade for courses that you been able to skip due to the Placement Exam.
  • One step closer to a certificate, minor, or major in your language. Earn between 4-16 credits toward graduation for the courses you are able to bypass.

Requirements

Students seeking credit for prior learning:

  • need to be enrolled at Boise State University to apply for Credit for Prior Learning and enrolled for the semester in which the credit is granted.
  • must complete 12 credits at Boise State University before the credit will be recorded.
  • may not challenge a course to improve a grade or replace a grade of PASS.
  • Note: students in need of these credits for graduation must pay close attention to the deadlines for completion. Please do not wait till the last minute to apply for these!

Challenge Exam

You may take a Challenge Exam for any class below the level of your Placement Exam score. Challenge exams are only given during the first five weeks of Fall and Spring semesters. You must accept the grade that you score on the exam. Grades of A, B or C impact your GPA. Scores of D or F will not be recorded.

Cost: $50 per course (No refunds available)

1. Register for the Challenge Exam for one or more of the prerequisite courses not taken according to your academic needs at the World Languages Front Office. You may challenge one class at a time or challenge several classes at the same time by taking the exam for the highest class.

2. Complete the Boise State University Credit for Prior Learning form to challenge, available at the World Languages Front Office. Pay $50 per course; no refunds are available.

3. Take the exam on one of the dates scheduled for the current semester.

4. Grades of A+ through C- will be recorded on your current semester’s transcript for each course that you passed. Grades of D or F will not be recorded.

Note: For more information about scheduled exam dates and challenge exam administrators’ contact information, please visit the World Languages Front Office.

Credit for Prior Learning

Would you like to receive a grade of Pass over a letter grade?

You can receive the credits, applicable to the Foundations Program, but there is no impact on your GPA.

Cost: $20 per course (No refunds available)

1. Complete the Placement exam and enroll in the course indicated by the exam results. Then, pass the course with a grade of C- or higher.

2.  Visit the World Languages Front Office to request credit for one or more of the prerequisite courses not taken according to your academic needs.

3. Complete the Boise State University Credit for Prior Learning form, also available at the World Languages Front Office, to request credit.  Pay $20 per course; no refunds.

4. A grade of PASS will be recorded on your next semester’s transcript for each course. You must be enrolled for these credits to be posted.

Note: For more information about Credit for Prior Learning, please visit the World Languages Front Office.

Seeking Credit for a Language Not Offered at Boise State?