Placement in Foreign Language Courses

Placement into foreign language classes varies by language. In general, if you have never studied a particular foreign language and you do not speak it at home or with your friends, you may register for an elementary level course (101 or 111 level).

For classes with prerequisites, enrollment into classes must be done in The Academic Advising Center or in the appropriate departmental office. It is the student’s responsibility to find out from the appropriate Department what level of language they should register for. If it is determined that you have been placed inappropriately, the Department may require you to move to a class more suited to your level of ability.

For language specific details, click on the appropriate language below.

Arabic

Classical, Middle-Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures
Queens Hall 215
718-997-5570

If you have never studied Arabic and you don’t speak it at home or with your friends, register for Arabic 101. In all other cases, please contact the Department for correct placement.

For classes with prerequisites, enrollment into classes must be done in The Academic Advising Center or in the appropriate departmental office. It is the student’s responsibility to find out from the appropriate Department what level of language they should register for. If it is determined that you have been placed inappropriately, the Department may require you to move to a class more suited to your level of ability.

Chinese

Classical, Middle-Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures
Queens Hall 215
718-997-5570

If you have never studied Chinese and you don’t speak it at home or with your friends, register for Chinese 101. If you speak Chinese pretty well, but you can’t really read or write, consider Chinese 201. If you read and write pretty well, consider any 300-level class in Chinese. If you are interested in classes between 201 and 300-level, please contact the Department for correct placement.

For classes with prerequisites, enrollment into classes must be done in The Academic Advising Center or in the appropriate departmental office. It is the student’s responsibility to find out from the appropriate Department what level of language they should register for. If it is determined that you have been placed inappropriately, the Department may require you to move to a class more suited to your level of ability.

French

European Languages and Literatures
Queens Hall 200
718-997-5980

If you have never studied French and you don’t speak it at home or with your friends, register for French 111. If you studied French in high school, and you graduated from high school in the last two years, one year of high school (grade of B or better) is roughly equivalent to one semester of College. So:

  • One year of high school French = start in French 112
  • Two years of high school French = start in French 203
  • Three years of high school French = start in French 204

If you received grades below a B or if you graduated from high school more than two years ago, choose one class lower or contact the Department.

For placement into more advanced classes in French, please contact the Department.

For classes with prerequisites, enrollment into classes must be done in The Academic Advising Center or in the appropriate departmental office. It is the student’s responsibility to find out from the appropriate Department what level of language they should register for. If it is determined that you have been placed inappropriately, the Department may require you to move to a class more suited to your level of ability.

German

European Languages and Literatures
Queens Hall 200
718-997-5980

If you have never studied German and you don’t speak it at home or with your friends, register for German 111. If you studied German in high school, and you graduated from high school in the last two years, one year of high school (grade of B or better) is roughly equivalent to one semester of College. So:

  • One year of high school German = start in German 112
  • Two years of high school German = start in German 203
  • Three years of high school German = start in German 204

If you received grades below a B or if you graduated from high school more than two years ago, choose one class lower or contact the Department.

For placement into more advanced classes in German, please contact the Department.

For classes with prerequisites, enrollment into classes must be done in The Academic Advising Center or in the appropriate departmental office. It is the student’s responsibility to find out from the appropriate Department what level of language they should register for. If it is determined that you have been placed inappropriately, the Department may require you to move to a class more suited to your level of ability.

(Classical) Greek
Classical, Middle-Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures
Queens Hall 215
718-997-5570

If you have never studied Classical Greek register for GREEK 251. In all other cases, please contact the Department for correct placement.

For classes with prerequisites, enrollment into classes must be done in The Academic Advising Center or in the appropriate departmental office. It is the student’s responsibility to find out from the appropriate Department what level of language they should register for. If it is determined that you have been placed inappropriately, the Department may require you to move to a class more suited to your level of ability.

(Modern) Greek

European Languages and Literatures
Queens Hall 200
718-997-5980

If you have never studied Modern Greek and you don’t speak it at home or with your friends, register for GRKMD 111. In all other cases, please contact the Department for correct placement.

For classes with prerequisites, enrollment into classes must be done in The Academic Advising Center or in the appropriate departmental office. It is the student’s responsibility to find out from the appropriate Department what level of language they should register for. If it is determined that you have been placed inappropriately, the Department may require you to move to a class more suited to your level of ability.

Hebrew

Classical, Middle-Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures
Queens Hall 215
718-997-5570

If you have never studied Hebrew and you don’t speak it at home or with your friends, register for Hebrew 101. In all other cases, please contact the Department for correct placement.

For classes with prerequisites, enrollment into classes must be done in The Academic Advising Center or in the appropriate departmental office. It is the student’s responsibility to find out from the appropriate Department what level of language they should register for. If it is determined that you have been placed inappropriately, the Department may require you to move to a class more suited to your level of ability.

Italian

European Languages and Literatures
Queens Hall 200
718-997-5980

If you have never studied Italian and you don’t speak it at home or with your friends, register for Italian 111. If you studied Italian in high school, and you graduated from high school in the last two years, one year of high school (grade of B or better) is roughly equivalent to one semester of College. So:

  • One year of high school Italian = start in Italian 112
  • Two years of high school Italian = start in Italian 203
  • Three years of high school Italian = start in Italian 204

If you received grades below a B or if you graduated from high school more than two years ago, choose one class lower or contact the Department.

For placement into more advanced classes in Italian, please contact the Department.

For classes with prerequisites, enrollment into classes must be done in The Academic Advising Center or in the appropriate departmental office. It is the student’s responsibility to find out from the appropriate Department what level of language they should register for. If it is determined that you have been placed inappropriately, the Department may require you to move to a class more suited to your level of ability.

Japanese

Classical, Middle-Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures
Queens Hall 215
718-997-5570

If you have never studied Japanese and you don’t speak it at home or with your friends, register for Japanese 101. If you studied Japanese in high school, and you graduated from high school in the last two years, one year of high school (grade of B or better) is roughly equivalent to just under one semester of College. So:

  • One year of high school Japanese = start in Japanese 101 or 102 (depending on how well you did in high school)
  • Two years of high school Japanese = start in Japanese 102 or 203 (depending on how well you did in high school)
  • Three years of high school Japanese = start in Japanese 203 or 204 (depending on how well you did in high school)

If you received grades below a B or if you graduated from high school more than two years ago, choose one class lower or contact the Department.

If you are not sure or for placement into more advanced classes in Japanese, please contact the Department.

For classes with prerequisites, enrollment into classes must be done in The Academic Advising Center or in the appropriate departmental office. It is the student’s responsibility to find out from the appropriate Department what level of language they should register for. If it is determined that you have been placed inappropriately, the Department may require you to move to a class more suited to your level of ability.

Korean

Classical, Middle-Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures
Queens Hall 215
718-997-5570

If you have never studied Korean and you don’t speak it at home or with your friends, register for Korean 101. In all other cases, please contact the Department for correct placement.

For classes with prerequisites, enrollment into classes must be done in The Academic Advising Center or in the appropriate departmental office. It is the student’s responsibility to find out from the appropriate Department what level of language they should register for. If it is determined that you have been placed inappropriately, the Department may require you to move to a class more suited to your level of ability.

Latin

Classical, Middle-Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures
Queens Hall 215
718-997-5570

If you have never studied Latin, register for Latin 101. In all other cases, please contact the Department for correct placement.

For classes with prerequisites, enrollment into classes must be done in The Academic Advising Center or in the appropriate departmental office. It is the student’s responsibility to find out from the appropriate Department what level of language they should register for. If it is determined that you have been placed inappropriately, the Department may require you to move to a class more suited to your level of ability.

Portuguese

Hispanic Languages and Literatures
Queens Hall 100
qc.hll@qc.cuny.edu
718-997-5660

If you have never studied Portuguese and you don’t speak it at home or with your friends, register for Portuguese 111. Otherwise, please contact the Department for appropriate placement.

For classes with prerequisites, enrollment into classes must be done in The Academic Advising Center or in the appropriate departmental office. It is the student’s responsibility to find out from the appropriate Department what level of language they should register for. If it is determined that you have been placed inappropriately, the Department may require you to move to a class more suited to your level of ability.

Russian

European Languages and Literatures
Queens Hall 200
718-997-5980

If you have never studied Russian and you don’t speak it at home or with your friends, register for Russian 111. In all other cases, please contact the Department for correct placement.

For classes with prerequisites, enrollment into classes must be done in The Academic Advising Center or in the appropriate departmental office. It is the student’s responsibility to find out from the appropriate Department what level of language they should register for. If it is determined that you have been placed inappropriately, the Department may require you to move to a class more suited to your level of ability.

Spanish

Hispanic Languages and Literatures
Queens Hall 100
qc.hll@qc.cuny.edu
718-997-5660

If you have never studied Spanish and you don’t speak it at home or with your friends, register for Spanish 111. If you studied Spanish in high school, and you graduated from high school in the last two years, one year of high school (grade of B or better) is roughly equivalent to one semester of College. So:

  • One year of high school Spanish = start in Spanish 112
  • Two years of high school Spanish = start in Spanish 203
  • Three years of high school Spanish = start in Spanish 204

If you received grades below a B or if you graduated from high school more than two years ago, choose one class lower or contact the Department.

If you have never studied Spanish but you speak it at home or with your friends, a class for heritage speakers may be more appropriate. Consider Spanish 114, 115, or 201.

For placement into more advanced classes in Spanish, please contact the Department.

For classes with prerequisites, enrollment into classes must be done in The Academic Advising Center or in the appropriate departmental office. It is the student’s responsibility to find out from the appropriate Department what level of language they should register for. If it is determined that you have been placed inappropriately, the Department may require you to move to a class more suited to your level of ability.