Language Placement

German Language Placement: Beginning & Intermediate Courses

Students who have prior German experience but have not taken the courses at the University of Minnesota should take the Entrance Placement Test (EPT). For more information and to sign up for the test, go to the CLA Language Testing Program website.

German Language Placement: Conversation & Composition Courses

New students planning to take third-year German take both the EPT and the Language Proficiency Exam (LPE) to ensure accurate course placement. Successful completion of the LPE will also provide you with a valuable form of certification. Students have reported using the LPE to satisfy entrance or degree requirements (such as for graduate or professional schools), and to demonstrate foreign language skills to prospective employers. For more information on the LPE, see the CLA Language Testing Program website.

Dutch, Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish Language Placement

Students with previous foreign language experience in Dutch, Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish may use the following guidelines to make decisions about course enrollment. Instructors for these language courses will advise students about placement during the first week of classes.

Previous study	Take
No previous experience, informal familiarity with the language of choice, or high school study only (1 year or less)	1001
Limited previous study in foreign language exposure course, summer camp, or during short-term study abroad	1002
Extended informal exposure to the language of choice, proficiency in a related language (for the Scandinavian language group), study abroad (3-6 months), formal study equivalent to one year of college-level courses, or by recommendation of the instructor	1003-1004
Previous coursework equivalent to 1001-1004, extended study abroad (6 months or more), or by recommendation of the instructor. The Language Proficiency Exam in the language of choice is the general prerequisite for upper division courses.	3011-3012