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Foreign Language Placement Test
 

 


 

The following info is from Dr. Charlie McVey:


Transfer Students and Incoming Freshmen who have studied a foreign language in high school or at another college / university and want to continue study in that language should schedule an appointment to take the FOREIGN LANGUAGE PLACEMENT TEST in that language before planning their schedule prior to pre-registration.  The score obtained on the Placement Test will indicate which course is appropriate (beyond the 1115 level) as a language study is begun at Lipscomb University. 

 

The test is available online.  (The company making it available charges a $10 fee, payable by credit card.)  Students can be given the following information: 

  1. Go to the following website: https://www.aetip.com/student/RegisterStudent.cfm
  2. Take the assessment (20-30 minutes / multiple choice - all written)
  3. Send Dr. McVey an email with the score report (copied and pasted) and the name of the student's academic advisor.
  4. Dr. McVey will email the student and advisor with the placement recommendation.


These tests are not designed to place students beyond the 2nd year of a language study.  Should the student receive a significantly high score, the appropriate faculty member will advise the student as to which class / level he/she will need and will always advise the student attempt the CLEP test for that language at Lipscomb’s Testing Center in order to receive credit for any courses the placement test allows them to “skip over.”  (The Placement Test itself does NOT grant any credit.)
 

A student will satisfy the Foreign Language requirement by completing the course he or she placed into (beyond the 1115 level) with a grade of “C” or above.  For example, if a student places into Elementary French 1125 and receives a “C” in this course, they complete the equivalent of one year of College French and thus satisfies the Bachelor of Arts Foreign Language requirement, but DOES NOT receive hours for the course they did not take.

 


 

FRENCH PLACEMENT TEST:

A student with high school or other previous French language experience should take the French Placement Test.  Students testing into Elementary French 1115 will satisfy the Bachelor of Arts Foreign Language requirement by successfully completing both Elementary French 1115 and 1125.  You must earn a grade of “C” or higher in FR 1115 to continue to FR 1125. 

Students testing into a level higher than Elementary French 1115 will satisfy the Bachelor of Arts Foreign Language requirement by successfully completing the course into which they are placed with a grade of “C” or higher.  The test alone will NOT satisfy the Foreign Language Requirement.


GERMAN PLACEMENT TEST:
A student with high school or other previous German language experience should take the German Placement Test.  Students testing into Elementary German 1115 will satisfy the Bachelor of Arts Foreign Language requirement by successfully completing both Elementary German 1115 and 1125.  You must earn a grade of “C” or higher in GE 1115 to continue to GE 1125. 

Students testing into a level higher than Elementary German 1115 will satisfy the Bachelor of Arts Foreign Language requirement by successfully completing the course into which they are placed with a grade of “C” or higher.  The test alone will NOT satisfy the Foreign Language Requirement.


SPANISH PLACEMENT TEST:
A student with high school or other previous Spanish language experience should take the Spanish Placement Test.  Students testing into Elementary Spanish 1115 will satisfy the Bachelor of Arts Foreign Language requirement by successfully completing both Elementary Spanish 1115 and 1125.  You must earn a grade of “C” or higher in SN 1115 to continue to SN 1125.

Students testing into a level higher than Elementary Spanish 1115 will satisfy the Bachelor of Arts Foreign Language requirement by successfully completing the course into which they are placed with a grade of “C” or higher.  The test alone will NOT satisfy the Foreign Language Requirement.


 

Please take just a moment or two to address foreign language background/interests /plans with each student.   (especially if they are already declaring a BA major or are even picking a BA minor area – but also to include any BS majors who:
 

 


      • want to continue foreign language as an elective  

      • want to participate in one of our Global Learning programs
         
      • want to make sure their degree has an international focus) 


1.                 What HS language(s) did you study?
 

2.                 How well did you do?
 

3.                 Did you enjoy your language / culture experience?
 

4.                 Have you been able to travel abroad?
 

5.                 Might you be intested in one of Lipscomb’s “Global Learning” programs in Vienna, Chicoutimi, London, or Costa Rica?


For many, Foreign Language study should be continued as closely to the high school experience as is possible, I.E., it is best thought of as a “freshman” experience rather than something to be “put off till the sophomore year” – esp. if they think they might participate in one of our Global Learning programs.

If you have a student who, for some reason, wants to take a language different from their previous experience, please make sure that they understand they will need to start with the 1115 level course in that language and the placement test will be unecssary. 

 

 

 

Thanks!
Charlie McVey, Dept. of Foreign Languages