Guidelines for Placement in Foreign Language Courses

1. Why take a foreign language at Rockland Community College?

Language facilitates communication and enhances geographical and cross cultural awareness. Most 4 year liberal arts colleges across the country now require 1 year (2 semesters) to 2 years(4 semesters) to earn a BA or BS degree. Many four year schools have a proficiency exit exam following the intermediate level (202).

 2. Do I have to take a placement test? Is there a way to receive credit without taking a course?

RCC does not have an official placement exam for foreign languages. You can receive credit by taking the CLEP exam. (You do not receive a grade and not all transfer institutions accept this.)

3. If I studied a language for 1 year in high school, for which course should I register?

If you completed 1 year in high school, you can enroll in 102 if you performed very well. Otherwise, it would be better to enroll in 101.

4. If I took 2 years of a foreign language in high school, which course should I take?

(2 - 2 1/2 YEARS OF HIGH SCHOOL USUALLY EQUALS ONE COLLEGE YEAR.) If you did exceptionally well in an honors language class in high school, then take 201. If you received an 85 or below in Language level 2 in high school, it would be better to enroll in 102.

 5. If I took 3 years in high school, which course should I take?

You may want to consider enrolling in SPA 102 (Elementary Spanish II) if you received below a 90 on the NY State Regents exam.You may enroll in Intermediate 201 or 202 if you received a grade of 90 or better on the Regents Exam. Enroll in 102 if a year has passed since you studied a language.

 6. May I take more than one language at a time?

Yes. However, it would not be advisable to take Elementary 101 in more than one language at the same time.

 7. May I take more than one course a semester in a given language?

Yes. You can take Advanced Conversation and Expression 205 or 206 along with Intermediate 202.
Permission of the instructor is advisable.

 8. May I enroll in Elementary 102 without taking  101?

Yes, only if you have taken Elementary 101 or its equivalent at another school. You may contact the Coordinator of the Department for advisement.

9. Will I receive transfer credit for taking a language?

Yes, but you must take a full year (Elementary 101 and 102) of a language. If you take one semester, you will receive elective credit until you complete a full year at your transferring institution. If a requirement states "competence through the intermediate level", then you must complete Intermediate 201 and 202.

10. Can I take American Sign Language to fulfill a foreign language requirement?

You may do so at Rockland Community College, but transfer depends on the receiving institution.

 11. If I am interested in conversation but have never taken the language before, which course should I take?

Elementary 101.

 12. May I take Intermediate 202 without having taken Intermediate 201?

Yes, but it is advisable to speak to the instructor.

 13. Must I complete Intermediate 202 before taking 203 or 204 or Advanced Conversation and Composition 205?

It is advisable but not required in all languages.

 14. May I take Advanced Conversation and Expression 206 without having taken Advanced Conversation and Expression 205?

Yes. It is advisable to speak with the instructor.

 15. Who should take Advanced Independent Study 297, 298, and/or 299?

Those who have an advanced command of the language beyond the intermediate level and are ready to write a research paper or similar advanced project. It is not offered every semester.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: Professor Mara-Lee Bierman, Coordinator at 845- 574-4361.