Placing into a language proficiency level through the language placement evaluation does not grant you credit in the corresponding course. So, for instance, placing into the SPA 102 proficiency level does not grant you credit for SPA 101, but it does allow you to enroll in courses that have SPA 101 as a prerequisite.

If you place into the 101-level of a language, but you have previous experience with learning the language, you may register for the 150-level without a class permit. The 150-level courses are designed for students who have studied a language before (a year or two of high school level courses or equivalent). It reviews the material of a 101 course and then covers the material of a 102 course.

After the 150 course, you can take a 201 level class, which means that you can move more quickly to complete your B.A. language requirement or to advance to higher levels of language proficiency. That’s a savings of one 4-credit class!

If you have questions about your AP language score and credit equivalency, you can find out more here at GVSU's Credit By Exam page. 

If you are pursuing a Bachelor or Arts degree (B.A.), the answer is YES. All Bachelor or Arts majors require language proficiency through at least the 201-level with a few majors that require language proficiency through the 202-level. If you are pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) in International Business, you are required to have a language minor (please discuss that requirement with your Seidman advisor).

Please note:  in order to qualify for the Bachelor of Arts world language proficiency requirement waiver, you must take the FLATS exam and pass the 101, 102 and 201 levels. The Language Placement Evaluation (placement test) cannot be taken for the purpose of fulfilling the BA world language proficiency requirement. For more information on the FLATS exam, please see this document.

Once you start your language sequence, you cannot take the Language Placement Evaluation to try to place higher and skip levels. If you are unsure about your placement, please talk to your language professor or professional academic advisor right away. 

If you have questions about the BA world language proficiency requirement, please contact the Modern Languages and Literatures office at 331-3203 or [email protected]. 

Grand Valley State University teaches 9 modern and classical languages and each of them satisfies the B.A. Language Requirement.

The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures teaches: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish

The Department of Classics teaches: Ancient Greek and Latin

For more information on each of the languages, visit the Foreign Language Study webpage. 

Most students fulfill the B.A. Language Requirement by taking three semesters of language classes: 101-102-201. Without taking a language placement evaluation, students may only enroll in 101 or 150. French and Spanish offer a 150 class, which is an accelerated course intended for students with some prior language who still need some review. It includes the material from both 101 and 102 in an accelerated format, and qualifies students to continue on to 201 after only one semester of study.

We typically think of one year of high school language study as representing the equivalent of one semester of language study at the university level, so students who have studied for a year should be able to test into a 102 course. In practice, however, there is a great deal of variation in ability between students who have taken the same amount of language. The language evaluation helps us place students in the level most appropriate for their individual ability.

The Language Resource Center is open for in-person placement evaluations, or the placement evaluation can be taken online.

To take the evaluation online:
Request a GVSU World Language Placement Evaluation. In this form, you will be asked to enter some basic information as well as answer a few quick questions about your previous language experience. After you submit your information, you will receive an email within two business days either giving you an individualized link for the online placement evaluation or, if an online evaluation is not available for your chosen language, connecting you with a language advisor.

To take the evaluation in-person:
Please stop by the Language Resource Center during normal hours of operation.

Please note:  in order to qualify for the Bachelor of Arts Language Requirement waiver, you must take the FLATS exam and pass 101, 102 and 201 levels. The Language Placement Evaluation (placement test) cannot be taken for the purpose of fulfilling the BA world language proficiency requirement. For more information on the FLATS exam, please see this document.

If you have questions about the requirement, please contact the Modern Languages and Literatures office at 331-3203 or [email protected].

The FLATS Exam is available in 52 languages, and can be used to fulfill the B.A. requirement. There is a no fee to take it, as GVSU covers the cost for students. For more information on the FLATS exam, please see this document.