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Guide to Language Study for Undergraduates |
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Consider an AIDS researcher doing fieldwork at a rural clinic in the Msinga district of South Africa, who needs to know enough Zulu to discuss medicine, hygiene, and healthcare administration with native speakers. To interact successfully with patients and coworkers, he or she needs to understand not only language, but culture as well: grasping moral and religious views of contraception, for example, is crucial to providing effective care. Today's experts in science, diplomacy, technology, intelligence and security, economics, law, and many other fields are aided by sophisticated foreign language skills as they work to make a difference in our global community. Faced with densely-packed schedules, demanding major requirements, and innumerable engaging learning opportunities, Yale students must meet the challenge of working the study of foreign language and culture effectively into their academic mosaics. This Guide can help. Placement Testing For many students, the Placement Test is the first encounter with language study at Yale--even before classes begin. Find out the exam schedule, what your score means, and much more. The Foreign Language Requirement: All You Ever Wanted to Know (And More) All Yale College students must fulfill the Foreign Language Requirement as one of the distributional requirements for graduation. (Yes, this means you!) Learn more about fulfilling the requirement and read individualized recommendations for students at all five levels: L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5. Eight Reasons the Foreign Language Requirement Isn't Enough "Wait--what? If I fulfill the foreign language requirement, that's not good enough?" That's right: fulfilling the foreign language requirement only gives you the bare minimum of language study you need to graduate, and in most cases you'll find that the bare minimum won't meet your own professional and life needs. These eight reasons the Foreign Language Requirement isn't enough could change your life! FAQ for Undergraduates How does your Placement Test score tell you what course to take? Are you a "heritage learner" and how does that influence your needs and choices? How do you know if an intenstive course is right for you? Read answers to these and other frequently asked questions. Getting Help Whether you need a tutor to help you through the trials of your language course or you're looking for general advice on planning your course of language study, what's important to you is important to us. CLS staff can offer you guidance as you make decisions about which language to learn, how many semesters to take, and your other language study concerns. The CLS also offers a tutoring program for Yale College Students. |
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