Placement testing: Language placement testing benefits students by:

• allowing students to continue studying a language at an appropriate level
  
  
• assisting students in completing the language requirement of the core curriculum in a timely manner
  
  
• enabling a better learning environment for all students by grouping students with similar proficiency levels together
  
  
• To ensure an efficient course of language study, the departments of Modern Languages, Asian Studies and Classical Studies require a Language Placement test or interview for all students who plan to study a language with which they are familiar prior to enrollment at Seton Hall.
  
  

Prerequisites:

Do I have to take a language placement test?

You must take the placement test for the language you plan to study if you meet either or both of the following requirements:

• you have previously taken formal lessons or courses in that language. (For example, if you took Russian classes in high school, and now plan to continue studying Russian at Seton Hall, you must take the placement test for Russian.)
  
  
• you have experience with that language in social situations. (For example, if you grew up speaking some Italian with your family, and you plan to study Italian at Seton Hall, you must take the placement test for Italian.)

Do not take the placement test for a language if you have never taken courses or had experience with that language

Process:

How do I take the language placement test?
The Spanish placement test, the French placement test, the German placement test, the Latin placement test, the Japanese placement test and the Italian placement test are online. Foreign language placement tests can be accessed through Blackboard, in your Freshman Studies organization. If you are taking the Spanish placement test, be sure your computer has a microphone and speakers.

The placement interviews for Arabic, Chinese, Greek and Russian are conducted in person. Contact the Language Resource Center.

 FAQ's about Language Placement Testing

1. If I want to study a new language, do I have to take the placement test?
   No. If you have never studied a particular language, do not take the placement test for that language. You can register directly for Elementary I. 
   

2. I placed into a Refresher course. What does that mean?
   If you have taken language courses before, the Refresher course will help you prepare for Intermediate I. For example, if you took two years of French during your Freshman and Sophomore years of high school, but have not studied French for the last two years, you most likely just need to refresh your skills in that language. The Refresher course can assist you in completing your language requirement in a timely manner. Upon successful completion of the Refresher course, you can register for Intermediate I.
   

Elementary I and Elementary II are designed for true novices of a language. For people who are new to the study of a language, the sequence is Elementary I, Elementary II, followed by Intermediate I and Intermediate II.

3. What if I think I’ve been placed into the wrong level course?
   You should talk with your professor first, then the chair of the department or coordinator for that language. 
   You may not register for a higher or lower level course without approval from the professor and coordinator for that language / department chair. 
   

4. When should I take the placement test?
   Take the placement test well in advance of your Pirate Adventure in June. You will need your results before you register for classes. If you did not take your placement test prior to the start of your Freshman year, contact the LRC to schedule your placement test. Please note, as placement test results may take a few days, ensure you have completed the placement test well in advance of registration.
   
   

Language Requirements
As the foreign language requirements for the schools and degrees differ, please check with your mentor or advisor to verify your degree program’s language requirements.
 
Using a placement test to satisfy your degree’s core curriculum language requirement

You may be able to satisfy your degree program’s core curriculum language requirement by demonstrating a certain level of proficiency on the placement test for Spanish, Italian, French or German. As a result, you are not required to take any additional world language courses, although you are welcome to do so.

Please note: no credits are awarded for using the placement test to satisfy your degree’s language requirement. You will still have to meet your degree program’s minimum number of credits for graduation.

Please note: Not all degree programs or colleges allow you to satisfy the language requirement by placement test. Please check with your advisor.

For more information about using your placement test to satisfy your degree program’s language requirement, please contact the Language Resource Center at lrc@shu.edu or (973) 761-9457.

In order to ensure academic integrity, the test must be taken in person in the Language Resource Center. Placement tests taken off-campus without a proctor cannot be used to satisfy core curriculum language requirements.

Using a proficiency test to satisfy your degree’s core curriculum language requirement
You may be able to satisfy your degree program’s core curriculum language requirement by demonstrating a certain level of proficiency in a language not offered at Seton Hall University, such as Polish, Urdu or Tagalog. A complete list of languages, and the proficiency testing guide is available at NYU’s website. SHU accepts the NYU 12-point proficiency test. You can take the NYU proficiency test either on campus in the Language Resource Center, or at NYU. Please contact the LRC for more information.

Please note: no credits are awarded for using the proficiency test to satisfy your degree’s language requirement. You will still have to meet your degree program’s minimum number of credits for graduation.

Please note: Not all degree programs or colleges allow you to satisfy the language requirement by proficiency test. Please check with your advisor.