Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need to take a placement exam?
If you have ever studied French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, or Spanish, you need to take the placement exam if you wish to continue studying the language at GW. This also applies to heritage speakers - those who speak the language at home but have never had formal training.
Most languages have switched to an online written exam, while Portuguese continues to use the paper format. In some cases an oral exam is also required, and students must make an appointment with one of the language faculty. These oral exams are offered each semester in the weeks prior to registration and during Colonial Inauguration for incoming freshmen. These are the ONLY opportunities when the oral exams will be available. Placement exam scores will not be finalized until ALL components of the exam have been completed, so please plan on taking the placement exam prior to registration. Click here to find the most up-to-date information on the placement exams.
2. Can I get credit for my AP scores?
High school students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement exams in French Language, French Literature, German Language, Italian Language and Culture, Spanish Language, and Spanish Literature. For the language exams, a score of 5 will place you into 108/109 or 030 for French and Spanish, German 109/110, or Italian 030. Students who have taken the literature exams should contact the department for the latest information on placement for those tests. For both language and literature exams, only a score of 5 will be accepted. For more information on the AP exams, please select the appropriate language program, and then click on the link "Credit By Exam."
3. How do I know what classes to take when I study abroad?
We require that you get all study abroad courses pre-approved BEFORE you leave on your program. You will need a Course Approval Form and the syllabi for the courses you wish to take. Bring this information to one of our advisors.
If you are a major or minor in our department, please consult with your advisor. If not, please consult the following list to find your appropriate study abroad advisor. Important note: Many of our advisors do not teach during the summer sessions. Because these faculty are the only ones who can approve courses, please plan ahead to make an appointment before the spring semester ends.
4. If I take summer courses at another university, can I get credit for them?
Just as you would request credit for a study abroad course, you will need fill out the Transfer of Credit Form (available from the Dean's Office of your individual school, such as ESIA) and provide the syllabi of the courses. The list of professors who approve transfer credit is identical to the one listed above for study abroad credit. As with study abroad transfer credit, you need to get your courses pre-approved BEFORE you take the courses.
NOTE: At this time RGSLL does not accept transfer credit from two-year programs, such as community colleges, or from distance learning programs, such as online courses. Confirm with your advisor that the institution you plan on attending will be accepted.
5. Who do I talk to about majoring or minoring in RGSLL?
Thank you for considering majoring or minoring in RGSLL. First of all, fill out the Declaration of Major/Minor form, available in the CCAS Dean's Office. Then, set up an appointment with your major/minor advisor. Important note: Many of our advisors do not teach during the summer sessions. Please plan ahead to make an appointment with your advisor before the spring semester ends. Find your advisor in the list below:
6. Can I audit a language or literature course?
Due to the extremely high demand for Spanish and French language courses, it is against our departments policies to allow auditors in these classes. Permission to audit a German, Italian, Portuguese or Russian language course must be obtained from the appropriate language program coordinator.
Literature course can be audited, provided there is room in the class. For these courses, interested students should contact the individual instructors for permission to audit.
If you are not a current GW student and you wish to audit one of our classes, you must be admitted and registered through the Office of University Students.
7. I am a graduate or law school student. Can I enroll in language or literature courses?
The rules for graduate and law school students vary from program to program. We are in the process of compiling the exact policies for each school, but in the meantime, please consult with your academic advisor.
In general, graduate and law school students may enroll in our language and literature courses provided there are seats available. You cannot be registered through the online registration system, however. You must fill out a Registration Transaction Form and have it signed either by the language program coordinator (language courses) or the instructor (literature courses). In most cases you will not receive any credit hours for the course.
We offer two courses specifically designed for graduate students: FREN 049 and SPAN 049. These are 0 credit courses that help prepare students for the Elliott School Exit Exam.
