The Department equips students with language proficiency as it introduces them to the multicultural nature and historical evolution of literary and other texts in the target languages. Offered courses provide opportunities to comprehend, interpret, and practice linguistic skills through oral and written exercises and assignments. Through a judicious selection of required courses and electives that include literature, history, and the arts, students acquire an increasing commitment to the mission of the University. The Department thrives to provide tools to foster transcultural understanding as the basis for mutual respect, global harmony and social justice.
Students can declare a major in French, Modern Languages, or Spanish, or a minor in Chinese, French, German, Italian, or Spanish, at entry to the University, through the Office of Admission. Students wishing to declare a major or minor in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures after admission to LMU must meet with a professor from that particular program. A Change of Program Petition form will be signed by the chairperson, provided that the student has a minimum LMU GPA of 2.0 (C).
Lower division language courses (1000-2000 level) may not be challenged by exam. Students may be exempt from lower division courses by placing above that level through the LMU online Placement Exam for Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, or Spanish. A minimum grade of C (2.0) is required in all lower division language courses to major or minor in those languages or Modern Languages major.
Students who need more semester hours to complete the major or minor because of their language placement might have to take additional courses in the corresponding language, depending on the specific major or minor. A maximum of 40 upper division semester hours or no more than four upper division courses beyond the major requirements in any one department will be accepted toward graduation requirements.
In the event that there are no courses in the language, students may take MDLG 3400 Linguistics, MDLG 4400 Applied Linguistics, or FNLT 4200 Comparative Cultures (provided it is related to language concentration). If additional classes are not available in the Modern Languages and Literatures Department, students may fulfill those credits with courses in the appropriate cultural studies areas with pre-approval from the corresponding language or Modern Languages major coordinator and the Department Chair.
Students with significant course credit in a language from high school or college will not be allowed to enroll in the 2101 course of that language.
The Department offers lower division language courses (1000-2000 level) in Chinese and Japanese that satisfy the language requirements for the Asian and Pacific Studies major and minor.
The Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts requires that its incoming students take the language placement exam. Moreover, at LMU, many core requirements can be satisfied with language courses. The Language Placement Exams allow you to better plan, and choose courses. Additionally, some majors have language requirements.
The knowledge of languages promotes cultural understanding, and increases job opportunities in a variety of fields, including education, law, medicine, business, and the government. Study abroad experiences, interdisciplinary research and community-based learning opportunities are enhanced by language learning.
LMU offers online placement exams for Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish. Placement exams measure student language skills in the target language so that they may be placed in the appropriate college level course in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures. The score is used for language placement advising purposes only.
When do I need to take a language exam?
Note: If you have never studied French, German, Italian or Japanese and wish to do so, you would sign up for the 2101 level course in that language. All students interested in taking a Chinese or Spanish course, including CHIN 1101 Chinese 1 or SPAN 2101 Spanish 1, must take the online placement exam. If you plan to study or travel abroad in the summer before entering LMU, please wait until you return to take the language placement exam.
Where do I take the exam?
You take the exam online. Log into MYLMU, click Brightspace > LMU New Student Placement Exams > Language Placement Exam, and follow the instructions. If you do not have access to the placement exam link or cannot access the placement exam for any reason, please contact the Modern Languages and Literatures department at 310.338.3051.
How long does the exam take?
The test takes approximately 20 minutes, however do not start the exam until you are ready as it must be taken in one continuous session, or your score will not post to PROWL.
Do I always take the placement exam if I wish to study a language?
If you do not speak or have not studied French, German, Italian, or Japanese and wish to do so, you simply sign up for the 2101 course in that language at LMU. All students interested in taking a Chinese or Spanish course, including CHIN 1101 Chinese 1 or SPAN 2101 Spanish 1, must take the online placement exam.
Who benefits the most from taking the Placement Exam?
Students who have studied or/and have learned at home Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, or Spanish and those who have taken AP language and/or literature courses would benefit from it since they might be close to a minor or major in the language. Also, students who plan to study abroad, as some programs may require previous language study.
Can I use books such as a dictionary? Should I guess at the answers?
It is to your benefit that you answer the questions honestly and without the support of notes, textbooks, parents, or friends to avoid being placed at a level above the appropriate one based on your experiences and academic studies.
How do I get my score? Does my advisor get it?
Your score and placement will be displayed at the end of the exam and will be accessible to your advisor through PROWL. However, as a backup, you are strongly encouraged to save a copy, or write it down, and email it to your advisor.
What if I have problems taking the exam?
Please contact the ITS helpdesk at 310.338.7777.
No knowledge of a language other than English is required.
The courses develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills using the direct method. Grammar points are explained in English. The student is provided an opportunity to practice conversation with native speakers to further improve oral skills. Selected topics are presented to enhance awareness and understanding of Japanese culture.
Students with significant course credit in Japanese from high school or college will not be allowed to enroll in JAPN 2101 Japanese 1. Students with more advanced knowledge must take the online LMU Japanese Placement Exam. To know when and how a student should take a language placement exam in Japanese, please refer to the guidelines provided under Modern Languages and Literatures.
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