Language Proficiency Options | Core Requirements
Pathways to Demonstrate Proficiency in a language other than English:
To gain exemption from the Foreign Language Core requirement without taking courses at Pacific, students may demonstrate equivalent second language proficiency in the following ways:
World Language Proficiency Tests:
All testing options are for students who do not intend to take World Language courses at Pacific. Petition instructions and forms are available at the Advising Center.
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- For languages taught at Pacific – Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Spanish: complete the STAMP4s language proficiency exam with a proficiency level equivalent to the 102 course (STAMP4s assesses reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. Upon successful completion of the test, the student will interview with a faculty member from the language before being granted exemption.
- Contact the Advising Center at the start of the semester to schedule a STAMP4s proficiency exam through the CLIC. There is a $50 fee to cover the cost of the STAMP4s test. Students may take the exam twice.
- For Arabic, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Korean, Polish or Russian, complete the STAMP4s language proficiency exam with a proficiency level equivalent to a semester 102 course. STAMP4s tests assess reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. The WorLL Department Chair may request additional information or interview.
- Contact the Advising Center at the start of the semester to schedule a STAMP4s proficiency exam for that semester through the CLIC. Tests are administered by the CLIC. There is a $50 fee to cover the cost of the STAMP4s test. Students may take the exam twice.
- For other languages not taught at Pacific for which the STAMP4s test is not offered, the CLIC will evaluate and recommend the use of another standards-based proficiency test. The WorLL Department Chair may request additional information or interview. A fee may apply.
- For American Sign Language (ASL), contact the Advising Center at the start of the semester to arrange a proficiency exam for that semester. A fee may apply
- For languages taught at Pacific – Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Spanish: complete the STAMP4s language proficiency exam with a proficiency level equivalent to the 102 course (STAMP4s assesses reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. Upon successful completion of the test, the student will interview with a faculty member from the language before being granted exemption.
Students for whom English is a Second Language:
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- International students who have taken or take English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at the university level are automatically exempted. Contact the Advising Center and submit an transcript showing the ESL classes.
- International students whose language of education was not English and who have completed six or more years of elementary or secondary education in their native tongue or in a language other than English may be exempt from the language requirement. Contact the Advising Center and submit a petition for the WorLL Department Chair to review.
- A student whose native language is neither English, nor a language taught at Pacific, may be exempted. Contact the Advising Center and submit a petition for the WorLL Department Chair to review.
- Students who are heritage speakers of or have attended a K-12 immersion program in a language without a STAMP4s proficiency test option may be exempted. Contact the Advising Center and submit a petition for the WorLL Department Chair to review.
Prior Language Coursework:
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- College Transfer Credit: Transfer credits showing the successful completion of a 102-level or higher-level course in the semester system, or a 103-level or higher-level course in the quarter system from another university or college with the grade of “C-“ or above will complete the requirement. This includes 102 or higher level semester credits for languages not taught at Pacific with the exception of Latin.
- Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate:
- AP language exam: a student who scores 4 or higher on the AP language exam is granted 102-level credit and the requirement is satisfied.
- IB HL: A student who scores 5 or higher on the HL IB test is granted 8 credits, incuding102-level credit, and the requirement is satisfied.
- IB SL: A student who scores 5 or higher on the SL IB test is granted 4 credits, including101-level credit, and the requirement is not satisfied.
- High School Language Study: A student who has taken 4, or more years, (or the equivalent) of a high school language or immersion program of a language not taught at Pacific and earning a grade of “B” or above may petition for exemption from the Language CORE.
Other:
In a situation where proficiency cannot be verified by the options above, contact the Advising Center. The student would then submit a petition for the WorLL Department Chair to review.