Academic Advising Resource Center
Taking a Language
Start Early with Language Study
Continuing a Language
Language proficiency (both skill and a feeling of ease and skillfulness in speaking, listening, reading, and writing) is practice-based. The sooner you get back into your study of a language, the less you will forget, and the better your chances for enduring fluency. Students who take a language class will also become part of a community of faculty and students who speak that language in and out of the classroom.
Starting a New Language
Most departments do not offer the first semester of language in the spring, so if you miss the first-semester course in the fall, you may have to wait until the following year to begin. In addition, language study is best done early and often; the sooner you begin your language experience, the greater your opportunities (including study abroad!) later in your career.
Do I Need to Take a Placement Exam?
If you have prior experience with a language you plan to take this fall, complete the placement exam by June 5. Prior experience might include taking classes in high school, speaking the language at home, or living abroad. See the information below for placement details and registration instructions for each language.
What if I’ve Never Studied a Language Before?
Register for the introductory course listed below. Most are only offered in the fall, so starting in your first semester is recommended.
Language Opportunities at Oberlin
Oberlin offers sixteen language-based curricular pathways, four language houses, more than one hundred study-away programs, and our own immersive faculty-led courses around the world. Learn more about languages at Oberlin, and explore the catalog and schedule of classes for course details.
New to the Language
Register for ARBC 101.
Prior Experience
First-year students with prior experience may consider ARBC 201, which is designed for students who have studied the language for one year, including by classroom instruction or living in an Arabic-speaking environment.
Indicate Your Interest
Complete the Language Interest Form and select Arabic (new to the language or prior experience). This form will be available on May 18.
Questions? Contact:
New to the Language
Register for CHIN 101.
Prior Experience
Take the Chinese language placement test by June 5.
Indicate Your Interest
Complete the Language Interest Form and select Chinese (new to the language or prior experience). This form will be available on May 18.
Questions? Contact:
New to the Language
Register for FREN 101.
Prior Experience
Take the French language placement test by June 5.
Indicate Your Interest
Complete the Language Interest Form and select French (new to the language or prior experience). This form will be available on May 18.
Questions? Contact:
New to the Language
Register for GERM 101.
Prior Experience
Take the German language placement test by June 5.
Indicate Your Interest
Complete the Language Interest Form and select German (new to the language or prior experience). This form will be available on May 18.
Questions? Contact:
New to the Language
Register for GREK 101.
Prior Experience
First-year students with prior preparation in Greek may enroll in GREK 201. The Classics department does not give or require a placement exam in Greek but during orientation Classics faculty are happy to consult with students about which level of the language would be appropriate for them.
During summer registration, students may register for the class that appears to correspond to their experience level, understanding that they may adjust their registration after meeting with the Chair of Classics. Students should be assured that there will be open spots at the 200-level if they have sufficient preparation to begin study at that level.
Indicate Your Interest
Complete the Language Interest Form and select Greek (new to the language or prior experience). This form will be available on May 18.
Questions? Contact:
New to the Language
Register for ITAL 101. This course is designed for beginners.
Prior Experience
First-year students with prior experience may take the Italian language placement test by June 5.
Indicate Your Interest
Complete the Language Interest Form and select Italian (new to the language or prior experience?). This form will be available on May 18.
Questions? Contact:
New to the Language
Register for JAPN 101.
Prior Experience
Take the Japanese language placement test by June 5.
Indicate Your Interest
Complete the Language Interest Form and select Japanese (new to the language or prior experience). This form will be available on May 18.
Questions? Contact:
New to the Language
Register for LATN 101.
Prior Experience
First-year students with prior preparation in Latin may enroll in LATN 201 or LATN 316. The Classics department does not give or require a placement exam in Latin but during orientation Classics faculty are happy to consult with students about which level of the language would be appropriate for them.
During summer registration, students may register for the class that appears to correspond to their experience level, understanding that they may adjust their registration after meeting with the Chair of Classics. Students should be assured that there will be open spots at the 200- or 300-level if they have sufficient preparation to begin study at that level.
Indicate Your Interest
Complete the Language Interest Form and select Latin (new to the language or prior experience). This form will be available on May 18.
Questions? Contact:
New to the Language
Register for RUSS 101.
Prior Experience
Contact Maia Solovieva to take the Russian language placement test by June 5.
Indicate Your Interest
Complete the Language Interest Form and select Russian (new to the language or prior experience). This form will be available on May 18.
Questions? Contact:
New to the Language
Register for HISP 101.
Prior Experience
First-year students with prior experience should take the Spanish language placement test by June 5.
Students who identify as Heritage Speakers may contact the chair of Hispanic Studies, Ana María Díaz Burgos. While differing definitions exist, we usually think of a heritage speaker as someone who was raised for a majority of their lives in the United States, in a home where Spanish is spoken and who understands and speaks the language to some degree.
Indicate Your Interest
Complete the Language Interest Form and select Spanish (new to the language or prior experience). This form will be available on May 18.