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CLAS Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement

CLAS does not require a certain number of hours of foreign language study; instead, the college requires students demonstrate a certain level of skill in another language (that you are “proficient”.) You may already be proficient in a foreign language (see A) or you may need additional study to demonstrate proficiency (see B). If you need additional study, the number of hours necessary is determined by your current level of proficiency in that language.

A) There are multiple ways to meet the CLAS Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement.

• Earn a 3 or higher on an AP Foreign Language exam.

• Earn a 4 or higher on an IB Foreign Language exam (If you completed the IB exam with a score of 4 or higher prior to the 2006-07 academic year, you may need to see a CLAS advisor to have your foreign language requirement waived).

• Earn a score of 62 or higher on the CLEP French Language exam or a 66 or higher on the CLEP Spanish Language exam. NOTE: Students must have taken AP, IB and CLEP exams before the end of their first term of enrollment at UF ( Fall semester for those enrolled in summer).

• Earn an appropriate SAT2 score for Spanish, French, German, or Latin. (Please see http://www.registrar.ufl.edu/catalog/policies/advisingsat2.html for the minimum scores).

• If you are fluent in a language other than Spanish, French, German, or Latin, you may have your skills evaluated by the appropriate department (i.e. African and Asian Languages if you are fluent in Japanese), and have that department write a letter on letterhead stating your proficiency. If the language is not taught at UF, you may have any UF faculty member who is fluent in that language evaluate your skills and write a letter on letterhead stating your proficiency. Bring the letter to an advisor in the Academic Advising Center to have your requirement waived.

B) Complete the beginning level sequence of a foreign language.

• If you plan to take a language that you have no prior experience in, the sequence must be 8-10 credit hours total. Most languages are offered in two semester sequences (5cr. Each), while some are 3 semester sequences (4-3-3 cr.). American Sign Language is acceptable for the proficiency requirement (SPA1612 and SPA1613). A list of the 30+ languages offered at UF is available at: www.registrar.ufl.edu/soc/languages.html

• If you plan to take a language that you have previously studied through the second year in grades 9-12, you will need to take the SAT2 exam if one is offered in that language to determine your placement. Please visit the following link http://www.registrar.ufl.edu/catalog/policies/advisingsat2.html for placement score information, and http://www.at.ufl.edu/testing/placementtesting.php for test dates and registration information. If a placement exam is not offered in the language, you may go to the department that offers the language you wish to take for placement information. You must complete the last course in the beginning level sequence with a C or better (or S grade) to meet the foreign language proficiency requirement.

Example: You place into SPN1131 based on your SAT2 score and high school background. If you enroll in SPN1131 and earn a C or better (5 hours total), you would meet the CLAS foreign language proficiency requirement.
Example: You place into FRE1180 based on your SAT2 score and high school background. You would need to take both FRE1180 and FRE1131 (8 hours total) to complete the requirement.

Still have questions about the foreign language proficiency requirement? You can see an advisor in the Academic Advising Center or email an advisor at advisor@advising.ufl.edu.

Foreign Language Proficiency Worksheet

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