Second Language Requirements

Before students can graduate from NPSIA, all students must provide proof of their second language proficiency.

NPSIA’s second language proficiency requirement is outlined in the Graduate Calendar:

“Students must successfully complete an examination in second language proficiency administered by Carleton University’s School of Linguistics and Language Studies, or meet the equivalent standard as determined by the School of Linguistics and Language Studies.”

Students with no prior knowledge in a second language are encouraged to contact NPSIA’s Language Advisor (Professor Cristina Trevisan) during their first term to discuss their options for completing the language requirement. Please note that students who lack second language proficiency must begin their language training no later than the first semester of their second year in the program.

Students with existing language proficiency are encouraged to continue to improve their skills in their designated language or acquire proficiency in another language.

Language proficiency can be demonstrated by one of the following options:

Option 1 - Provide Documentation Confirming Proficiency

Provide documentation that demonstrates the student has achieved at minimum a B1 level or better according to the Council of Europe (Common European Framework of Reference) designations of proficiency in a second language.

Examples of sufficient documentation include undergraduate transcripts, high-school diplomas, accredited language school certificates, documents pertaining to research in a foreign language, letters of reference from employers, official testing results obtained at other institutions or language schools, letters of language proficiency provided by faculty members.

Note: Students must achieve a grade of B- or better in their language courses.

Option 2 - Complete Intermediate Level Course

Successful completion of an intermediate level course in a language other than the student’s first language and one that is accepted by NPSIA.

At Carleton University, the following courses will satisfy the NPSIA language requirement (Please note: Not all courses are offered every year. Students may be required to complete any necessary beginner language courses, as determined by the School of Linguistics and Language Studies, prior to completing any of the final courses noted below):

ARAB 2110
FREN 1100
JAPA 2110
RUSS 2020
KORE 2020

GERM 2020 or GERM 2110
ITAL 2020 or ITAL 2110
CHIN 2020 or CHIN 2110
SPAN 2020 or SPAN 2110
ASLA 2020 or ASLA 2110

*Students must achieve a grade of B- or better in their language courses.

Option 3 - Test With a Language Instructor

Students who have knowledge of a second language, but do not have documentation can speak to the language advisor to set up a language test. Students must pay the costs of these tests.

For information on the current cost of a test with a Carleton University professor or contract instructor, please contact internationalaffairs@carleton.ca. If you have already booked a test, please complete the online payment form here.

If the test is completed off campus, the fees can vary, depending on the organization. This fee must be paid for by the student in advance of the test.

Option 4 - Complete Rosetta Stone Online Program

Complete the online language training program, Rosetta Stone. The program is a once per year licence (registration in the fall of each academic year) and is available at a subsidized rate in the following languages: French, Spanish and German. Please note that the licence expires after one calendar year.

The Rosetta Stone program offers two learning paths: Foundations Level, for beginners (A1-A2) and Fluency Builder Level, for intermediate/advanced learners (B1-B2-C1). There is an initial compulsory placement test, which will determine the learning path, with two achievement tests for French, and four achievement tests for Spanish and German.

To fulfill the NPSIA language requirement through Rosetta Stone, students must complete 50 hours of language training at level B1 (Fluency Builder Program), in accordance with the Council of Europe (Common European Framework of Reference) designations.

Students who begin the Rosetta Stone program at B2 or C1 are exempted from completing 50 hrs of training, but will still need to complete at least one proficiency test and achieve level B2 or C1 in that test.

Important: Once a student in the Foundations Level meets the requirements for B1, they MUST send an email to Professor Trevisan, the Language Advisor, who will then allow the student to access the next level (i.e. Fluency Builder Level) to complete the required B1 level.

If a student starts the Rosetta Stone program at B1 level, they have immediate access to Fluency Builder.

Rosetta Stone Sign Up Information: At the beginning of each academic year, an email will be sent out with sign-up information, the current cost of the Rosetta Stone licence, enrollment deadlines and details on how to use the program.

Please note that students must pre-order their Rosetta Stone program license.

To pre-order your license, please send an email to internationalaffairs@carleton.ca indicating your interest in completing the Rosetta Stone program by the enrollment date.

If you have already signed up for the program, please complete the online payment form here.

Please note that the Rosetta Stone license will expire after one calendar year.

For more information regarding the Modern Languages Unit at the School of Linguistics & Language Studies, please see: http://www.carleton.ca/slals/modern-languages/.

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