Students must demonstrate competency in a language other than English. For most students, this is equivalent to the minimal passing grade on the exit examination in a 213 course. In modern languages, this level is defined in the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language (ACTFL) proficiency guidelines as the Intermediate-Mid level for speaking, listening, reading, and writing. In Latin, this level is defined by the advanced progress indicators of the American Philological Association Standards for Classical Learning.
Students entering as first-year students may demonstrate competency by:
- Completing one language in high school through the third level with grade of C or higher;
- Scoring at least 600 on the CEEB Foreign Language Achievement test;
- Scoring either a 4 or 5 on a foreign language or literature Advanced Placement exam
- Transferring credit for college-level coursework through the intermediate level (in accordance with the terms created by University-sponsored articulation agreements);
- CLEP (Registrar’s approval required);
- Petitioning for independent examination of competency the Foreign Language and Literatures Department for; or,
- Completing language studies through Virginia Wesleyan’s 111/112/213 course sequence.
Evening and Weekend Program students may fulfill this requirement, if not satisfied in a way outlined above, by:
- Completing one language in high school through the second level with a final grade of C or higher;
- Completing language studies through SPAN 105 or its equivalent; or
- Completing a course offered by the Foreign Languages and Literatures department emphasizing linguistics and cultural understanding.
All students receive a foreign language placement based upon their transcripts and application file. Students may challenge their placement by contacting the Foreign Languages and Literatures department chair.
The Foreign Languages and Literatures faculty urge students needing to take a language to enroll immediately in the designated course. If students choose not to enroll immediately, they must begin their language study within three semesters of entrance.
Transfer students entering VWU with more than sixty (60) credit hours of collegiate work may fulfill this requirement, if not satisfied in a way outlined above, by completing language studies through VWU’s 111/112 course sequence.