{"id":4564,"date":"2019-05-07T15:55:59","date_gmt":"2019-05-07T19:55:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/bhum\/?page_id=4564"},"modified":"2025-06-13T14:31:08","modified_gmt":"2025-06-13T18:31:08","slug":"language-requirement","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/bhum\/language-requirement\/","title":{"rendered":"Language Requirement"},"content":{"rendered":"

Please note, the regulations regarding the language requirement below are applicable ONLY<\/strong> to students admitted in Fall 2023 to 2025.\u00a0 Students admitted in earlier years should consult this page<\/a> or check with the Undergraduate Administrator or Faculty Academic Advisor for more information and advising.<\/p>\n

Students in both the Bachelor of Humanities<\/strong> and Bachelor of Humanities and Journalism<\/strong> must satisfy a Language Requirement as part of their degree.<\/p>\n

Students in the Bachelor of Humanities and Biology<\/strong> are exempt<\/span> from the Language Requirement.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Language Requirement<\/h2>\n

The Language Requirement is proficiency in either<\/strong> an Ancient language at the Beginner’s level or<\/strong> a Modern language (other than English) at the Intermediate level:<\/p>\n

1) Beginner-level proficiency in an ANCIENT language:<\/strong><\/h4>\n

This normally requires just one<\/span> full year (1.0 credit) of study at Carleton.
\nAn ANCIENT language is normally one of Greek, Latin, Biblical Hebrew, etc.<\/p>\n

2) Intermediate-level proficiency in a MODERN language (other than English):<\/h4>\n

This normally requires two<\/span> full years (2.0 credits) of study at Carleton.
\nA MODERN language is normally one of French, German, etc.<\/p>\n

How to Satisfy the Language Requirement<\/h2>\n
Coursework<\/a><\/dt>

<\/p>\n

Students who enter Humanities without sufficient skill in a second language, or who wish to learn a new language, can satisfy the Language Requirement by completing courses up to the required level. For Ancient languages this normally means one year (1.0 credits) of study to reach the required Beginner’s level. For Modern languages this normally means two years (2.0 credits) of study to reach the required Intermediate level.<\/p>\n

<\/p><\/dd>

<\/div>\n
Advanced Language Placement<\/a><\/dt>

<\/p>\n

Depending on the results of their Placement Test (see below), students who are already somewhat proficient in a Modern language may be able to register immediately in an Intermediate level course, reducing their time of study from two years to a single year (1.0 credits).<\/p>\n

Placement Tests<\/h4>\n

If you already have some proficiency in the language you will study at Carleton and wish to register immediately in an Intermediate level course or above, or you wish to obtain a Language Waiver by demonstrating your present proficiency, you must complete a language Placement Test.<\/p>\n

French<\/h4>\n

French language Placement Tests are administered by the Department of French. Visit their website and click on French Placement Test<\/u><\/a> in the index. Note that you must complete the online Placement Test before enrolling in any<\/strong> French course at Carleton, even if you have had no previous French instruction. You can only take this test once. More information.<\/a><\/p>\n

Modern Languages other than French<\/h4>\n

Testing and instruction in all other Modern languages is offered by the School of Linguistics and Language Studies (SLALS)<\/u><\/a>.\u00a0 Note that you must complete a Language Background Questionnaire (LBQ) in order to determine whether or not you need to complete a more comprehensive language Placement Test. Information on Placement Tests can be found on their website<\/u><\/a>. Questions about testing can be sent to them<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p><\/dd>

<\/div>\n
Language Waiver<\/a><\/dt>

<\/p>\n

A student may have their Language Requirement waived if they are already proficient in a Modern Language at the Intermediate level, as demonstrated by either:<\/p>\n