Frequently Asked Questions

I took three years of a language in high school, but it has been awhile. Can I drop back a level?

Please see the Placement guidelines on our site. If you do not think you would be able to enroll in the recommended level, you may be able to petition the Department to enroll in the level below it. You must state your reasoning on the Alternative Placement Form [PDF], which should be turned into the Main Office in Washington 219. Your request will then be evaluated by the Section Coordinator for your respective language. Shortly thereafter, you will receive notification as to whether your request has been approved or not.

I am already fluent in a foreign language. Can this fulfill my requirement?

Yes! You will need to first complete an Alternative Fulfillment of the Foreign Language Proficiency Form [PDF]. Once we receive that form, we will match you up with another fluent speaker of the language for a brief interview, during which they will assess your proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing. Once our department receives their assessment, we will inform the Registrar’s Office that you have completed this requirement.

I’m thinking of taking summer language classes at home. Can I transfer language credit from another college in the United States?

Please see the Registrar’s website on Studying Away from the College. The Registar’s Office handles these requests. Your transfer credits will be assessed in their office. If for some reason your language credits are not approved for transfer, you may petition our Department to receive credit using the Domestic Transfer Credit Evaluation Form [PDF]. This form should be dropped off in our Main Office in Washington 219, along with any relevant coursework and syllabi you have from the course(s) and an unofficial William and Mary transcript. Your request will be evaluated by the Section Coordinator of the language, and you will be notified of their decision shortly thereafter.

Note: This form may also be used for incoming transfer students who would like to contest the decision of the Registrar’s Office regarding the transfer of their previous language courses.

What should I do if I have an unavoidable scheduling conflict with the Tuesday/Thursday portion of my language class?

If a problem arises during registration, where you realize that there is a time conflict between a TR portion of your class and a class you need to take in another department, it may be possible for us to help correct this problem. You may be able to attend the meeting time of a different section of your course on Tuesdays and Thursdays. You will need to print out the Undergraduate Time Conflict Override Form [PDF], and have it signed by both of the professors involved in the switch. Once it is completed and approved, you may return it to the Registrar’s Office to receive a registration override.

Are there work-study opportunities in the Modern Languages Department?

Yes! We normally employ two students every year to assist in our Main Office. If you are interested, please see Shelia Eubank in the Main Office in Washington 219.