General Education Second Language Competency
A student meets the minimum requirement if admitted to the University with three years of a single foreign language in high school, or the equivalent. When the years of study have been split between high school and earlier grades, the requirement is met if the student has successfully completed the third-year high school level course. With anything less than that, the student must pass the second semester course in the first year sequence of college, or elementary, level study in a single language.
Students in Liberal Arts & Sciences who have not passed a third-year high school-level course in a single foreign language must complete the CLAS language requirement by (i) high school work and an added year of intermediate level college courses, or (ii) two years (4 semesters) of a single foreign language
through the intermediate level in college.
Implementation Guidelines
- If less than 3 years of a foreign language was taken before college, the Second Language Competency of the General Education Requirement calls for successful completion of the elementary level, or second semester, of language. Students in CLAS will need 4 semesters or 2 years in a single foreign language under this circumstance.
- If a student has had 3 years of a foreign language from an American High School and wishes to repeat the first two semesters, or elementary level, while at UConn, s/he will not earn credits toward his/her degree by doing so.
- If a student has had 3 years of a foreign language from an American High School and wishes to study more of the same language, s/he can take – and will get credits for – anything above the second semester, or elementary, level.
- If a student who has taken a foreign language at the high school is registered for the intermediate, or second year, level, and cannot perform at this level, s/he needs to contact the head of Modern and Classical Languages who, in consultation with the Instructor of record and the directors of foreign language program will guide the student on a suitable course of action.
- Transfer Students w/ Three Years of High School Foreign Language: If a transfer student was placed in an elementary foreign language course through a proficiency exam at another institution, despite having studied that language for 3 years in High School, s/he may contact the Head of Modern and Classical Languages about permission to receive credits for the elementary courses. Credits will only be given if the student can present evidence of a policy from the other university’s catalog demonstrating that s/he had to take a placement test and thus was required to take the elementary courses.
- English as a Second Language: If a student has an existing second-language ability not developed through coursework (for example, a student whose native language is not English, bilingual students, or heritage speakers) s/he may, with the approval of the Head of the Modern and Classical Languages department, demonstrate his/her second-language competency through examination or by showing proof that English is not his/her native language (e.g., High school transcripts, ESL courses, etc.). Students who choose this option, are strongly advised to contact the people below as early as possible in the course of their studies. This is especially critical for “less-commonly-taught languages” where outside consultants might be needed and the examination may take some time to arrange.
| |
Contacts in the Modern and Classical Languages Department: |
| |
Spanish |
Prof. Eduardo Urios-Aparisi |
| |
French |
Prof. Dr. Solange Guenoun or Prof. Anne Berthelot |
| |
German |
Prof. Friedemann Weidauer |
| |
Italian |
Prof. Norma Bouchard |
| |
Ancient Greek and Latin |
Prof. Roger Travis |
| |
ALL other languages |
Prof. Manuela Wagner (please email Dr Wagner) |
Academic Adjustments for Students with Learning Disabilities
In certain exceptional cases, students with learning disabilities may request an adjustment to their second language or quantitative requirements. The policy is as follows:
“Academic adjustments are granted only when it is clear that the completion of the requirement is impossible due to a disability. Waivers of General Education Competencies are never granted. Academic adjustments, which may include course substitutions, are granted on a case-by-case basis. The following rules will apply:
If quantitative or second language competency is deemed as an essential element of a program or course of study, then a substitution is not permitted. The question of “essential element” will be decided by the Dean of each school or college or head of program, or enrollment unit.
Academic adjustments will not reduce the number of courses/credits normally required to complete General Education requirements. If the student changes his or her school or college of enrollment, academic adjustments will be reviewed by the appropriate Dean’s office in the new school or college of enrollment.
Academic adjustments will be subject to the 8-year rule.
All decisions involving academic adjustments will be determined by a University committee and submitted to the Vice Provost for
Undergraduate Education and Instruction for final approval.”
In addition to the university requirements CLAS students have additional second language and quantitative requirements. If academic adjustments for university requirements are approved by the university committee, and the student is seeking additional adjustments for their CLAS requirements, they must meet with an advisor in the CLAS Academic Services Center to make that request.
Click here to download the academic adjustment petition and guidelines for completing it.
|
University of Connecticut |