The Modern Language requirement is a two-course or equivalent sequence that prepares students to be lifelong learners of languages and cultures. Modern language courses are taken in order (first the language 101 course, followed by language 102 or the approved study away or immersive experience). They focus on learning through developing novice-level skills in comprehending and producing speech and writing in a non-English natural language, and familiarity with some of the communities for whom that is a first or primary language. A student may also satisfy this requirement through one of the following means, all subject to final approval by the Department of Modern Language Studies:

• Pass two semesters of a modern, spoken or signed language at another accredited university. The chosen language must have cultural components. ASL can satisfy the language requirement.

• Place into language 201 (German & Spanish), 203 (French) or higher on one of Guilford’s language placement tests.

• Score four or higher on an AP modern language exam.

• Provide documentation of completion of at least one year of high school (9th or 10th grade)  in a non-Anglophone country with all instruction in a language other than English. Completion of lower levels of education in another language is not sufficient.

Placement scores from exams at other universities do not meet this requirement.

Placement in modern language classes varies by program:

German: Students with prior instruction in German at any level should contact the professor of German, Dave Limburg (dlimburg@guilford.edu) for proper placement.  

Japanese: Students with prior instruction in Japanese at any level should contact the professor of Japanese, Hiroko Hirakawa (hhirakaw@guilford.edu) for proper placement. 

Spanish: Students who have had four or more years of instruction in Spanish in middle school/high school or who are native or heritage speakers of the language should take the placement test. Students who have had 0-3 years of Spanish in middle school/high school should enroll directly in Spanish 101.

French: The French program is on hiatus for the 2022-2023 academic year; as such, the French test is not currently available for placement. However, students can continue to take the French test in order to place out of the Modern Language requirement.

Students who place out of the modern language requirement are encouraged to continue their studies of language by enrolling in 201, 202, 203, 204, 220 or 301, according to placement and language. Students who score below the minimum (see below) must satisfy the modern language requirement by completing a language course at the 102 level. Some students will need to begin at 101 and others will be able to enter at the 102 level.  Language courses are offered in German, Japanese and Spanish.

For the modern language requirement to be waived, a student must qualify for a learning disability as defined by the state of North Carolina. If the modern language waiver is granted, the student must substitute a course with an international or intercultural emphasis that has been approved by the Department of Modern Language Studies. Students must contact the coordinator of the Accessibility Resource Center to process the waiver. The coordinator of Accessibility Resource Center maintains the list of approved substitute courses. Substitute courses cannot double-count with other general education requirements.

For the modern language requirement to be waived, a student must qualify for a learning disability as defined by the state of North Carolina. If the modern language waiver is granted, the student must substitute Modern Language 101 and 102 with courses with an international or intercultural emphasis that have been approved by the Department of Modern Language Studies. Students must contact the coordinator of the Accessibility Resource Center to process the waiver. The coordinator of Accessibility Resource Center maintains the list of approved substitute courses for 101. Substitute courses cannot double-count with other general education requirements. 

International students whose native language is not English, and who completed secondary school in a non-Anglophone country and in a language other than English will be exempt from the modern language requirement. No credit will be awarded for their native language unless they wish to enroll in an advanced-level course.

Placement Exam

Score	Suggested Placement
Spanish Placement Exam
0-265	Spanish 101
266-374	Spanish 102
375-439	Spanish 201
440-just 499	Spanish 202
500+	Placement is either 202 or 301: contact spirak@guilford.edu.