Language Background Questionnaire (LBQ)

ATTENTION: The LBQ is no longer accepting submissions for Fall 2025 semester courses. Any new submissions will be applied to enrolment in Winter 2026 semester courses.

After completing this questionnaire, you will receive more information about your assessment by email.

If you have already taken a course in this language at Carleton University, you do not need to complete this questionnaire and should register for the next course in the sequence of study.

Language Background Questionnaire

Acknowledgement(Required)

Before taking the Language Background Questionnaire and Placement Test, you must to read and agree to the information below.

☑ Validity: Only placement results for tests written between March 17, 2025 and January 13, 2026 can be used for registration in the upcoming 2025-26 academic year (Summer, Fall, and Winter terms). Please note: you must also meet all University deadlines for registration.

☑ Eligibility: Only individuals who have NOT yet taken a Carleton University course in this language, are permitted to take the Language Background Questionnaire and Placement Test. Individuals can be assessed only ONCE during an academic testing cycle. Some exceptions may be made for students who have acquired more knowledge of this language elsewhere.

☑ Conditions: An interview may be required at a later date to confirm your proficiency level. You must complete this assessment as accurately and honestly as possible. Your language skills will be further assessed once classes start. If your instructor feels your level is inappropriate, you will be required to take a placement test and/or withdraw from the course. You are not guaranteed registration in another level.

By clicking “Agree” below you are confirming that you have read and understood the statements above and are eligible to complete the questionnaire. You are also agreeing to complete it in such a way as to reflect your true knowledge of the language.

Agree

Student Name(Required)

First Last

Preferred Name

Email:(Required)

Current Carleton students please use your MyCarleton/Connect account

Student Number:(Required)

If you are not yet a Carleton student, just enter 123456789 as your student number.

Language(Required)

Previous Experience (choose as many as apply)(Required)

I have NO EXPERIENCE/EXPOSURE to the language I plan to study.

I have SOME LIMITED EXPERIENCE/EXPOSURE to the language I plan to study.

I have OTHER SIGNIFICANT EXPERIENCE that may have influenced my proficiency. (describe in Comments below)

I often watch TV and/or movies in the target language (with subtitles).

I often listen to music in the target language.

I have used an app like DuoLingo to study basic words and phrases.

I have lived for more than 3 months in a country where people commonly speak the language I plan to study.

Previous Experience (Hiragana)

I can read Hiragana.

Previous Experience (Hangul)

I can read Hangul.

This field is hidden when viewing the form

Previous Experience (Arabic)

I can read and/or write Arabic letters.

Previous Experience (Chinese)

I can recognize more than 20 characters of simplified or traditional Chinese.

I have had previous exposure to a dialect of Chinese (Mandarin or other).

Previous Experience (friends & family)

I am often around friends and family who commonly communicate in the language I plan to study.

Previous Experience (courses)

I have previously taken course(s) in the language I plan to study.

Follow-up Questions *

▮ Which of the following best describes your experience with friends & family?(Required)

▮ Which of the following best describes your experience with friends & family? (check as many as apply)

My friends/family taught me a few words and/or phrases.

I speak a little with my grandparents.

My parents speak to me in the target language and I answer in English.

I can carry on a basic conversation.

I can read and/or write.

▮ How many hours of instruction (approximately) did you receive?(Required)

▮ How many hours of instruction (approximately) did you receive in your course(s)?

Less than 10 hours

10 – 24 hours

More than 24 hours

▮ How long ago did you take these courses? (10-24)(Required)

▮ How long ago did you take these courses?

Less than 1 year ago

1 – 2 years ago

More than 2 years ago

▮ How long ago did you take these courses? (24+)(Required)

▮ How long ago did you take these courses?

Less than 1 year ago

1 – 3 years ago

More than 3 years ago

Previous Experience with German (choose as many as apply)(Required)

I have NO EXPERIENCE/EXPOSURE to the language I plan to study.

I have previously taken course(s) in the language I plan to study.

I often speak the language I want to study with someone in my family.

I have lived more than three months in the country where people commonly speak the language I plan to study.

More info (German)(Required)

Please describe your previous experience with the German language, mentioning courses taken, family connections, travel and residence in German speaking countries.

More info (Deutsch)(Required)

Now please tell us a little about yourself, in German. For example: Wie heißen Sie? Woher kommen Sie? Was studieren Sie? Was sind Ihre Hobbys? Waren Sie schon mal In Deutschland? Warum möchten Sie einen Deutschkurs machen? ……………..?

Previous Experience with ASL (choose as many as apply)(Required)

I have NO EXPERIENCE/EXPOSURE to the language I plan to study.

I have lived for more than 3 months in a country or community where people commonly sign their language or the sign language I plan to study. (please provide details in the Comments box below)

I am often around friends & family who commonly communicate in the sign language I plan to study.

I have previously taken course(s) in the language I plan to study.

I have other past experience in ASL.

Follow-up Questions *

Which of the following best describes your friend & family connections to ASL?(Required)

▮ Which of the following best describes your friend & family connections to ASL? (check as many as apply)

My friends/family taught me fingerspelling, a few signs and/or short phrases.

I sign a little with my grandparents.

I am a child of Deaf adult(s).

I can carry on a basic conversation.

Which of the following best describe courses you have taken?(Required)

▮ Which of the following best describe courses you have taken? (check as many as apply)

I studied in ASL classes at my high school.

I completed an ASL course at a post-secondary school.

I took a community ASL course.

I studied ASL with another group(s).

No formal instruction or training.

How many hours of instruction did you receive?(Required)

▮ How many hours of instruction did you receive?

Less than 10 hours

10 – 24 hours

More than 24 hours

How long ago did you take these courses? (10-24)(Required)

▮ How long ago did you take these courses?

Less than 1 year ago

1 – 2 years ago

More than 2 years ago

How long ago did you take these courses? (More than 24)(Required)

▮ How long ago did you take these courses?

Less than 1 year ago

1 – 3 years ago

More than 3 years ago

Which of the following best describes your past experiences with ASL?(Required)

▮ Which of the following best describes your past experiences with ASL? (check as many as apply)

I can sign and understand the sign language of another country. (provide details in Comments below)

I can comfortably gesture and use facial expressions to express my ideas, thoughts and/or feelings as I communicate with another signer.

I feel comfortable communicating in this language.

I can fingerspell ABC and sign a few words.

I often watch TV and movies in the target language with subtitles.

I have used an app like ASL, Hands on ASL, or Marlee Signs to study basic signs and short phrases.

I was a member of a school club, and we learned some sign language.

I was a camp counselor or a sports coach and I worked with a Deaf child using the basics of the sign language.

I taught myself how to sign through a various of resources such as Internet, Baby Sign videos, DVDs and books.

Previous Experience with Russian (choose as many as apply)(Required)

I have no previous experience in/exposure to the Russian language.

I have some LIMITED experience in/exposure to the Russian language.

I have OTHER SIGNIFICANT EXPERIENCE that may have influenced my proficiency. (describe in Comments below)

I am a native speaker of Russian.

I am a heritage speaker of Russian.
* The term “heritage speaker” usually refers to a person who learned/spoke a language in their home (often during childhood) but who did not fully develop their proficiency.

I have taken a Russian class in the past.

Follow-up Questions *

Which of the following best describes your Russian class:(Required)

▮ Which of the following best describes your Russian class?

Fewer than 25 hours.

More than 25 hours.

▮ If you used a textbook in your class and can remember the title, please include it here.

▮ If you used a textbook in your class and can remember the title, please include it here:

Previous Experience with Spanish (choose as many as apply)*(Required)

I have NO EXPERIENCE/EXPOSURE to the language I plan to study.

I speak Spanish with my family and/or friends.

I do not speak but understand when my relatives speak to me in Spanish.

I have lived for more than 3 months in a country where people commonly speak Spanish.

I took a Spanish course of over 40 hours.

I often watch TV or movies in Spanish (with subtitles).

I often listen to music in Spanish.

I have used an app like DuoLingo to study basic words and phrases.

I have OTHER EXPERIENCE that may influence my proficiency. (describe in the Comments below)

IMPORTANT NOTE:
Courses in this language will not be offered during the 2025-26 academic year. Please check back regularly for updates.

Comments

The goal of this questionnaire is to understand your previous exposure to/experience with a language so we can place you accurately in the appropriate level. If there are any additional relevant details you wish to add, please do so here.

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