Placement Surveys
Free online Placement Surveys are available on Canvas in Spanish, French, German, and Latin. Please click on the name of the survey below to access it. The survey should take 15-20 minutes to complete, depending on your background in the language. Your survey results do not go automatically in your record. The survey results will be reflected in your student record within 24 hours. Please plan to complete your survey before registration for classes begins!
If you cannot access the Canvas page, contact Ms. Lily Johnson at johnsonlil21@ecu.edu.
You should plan to continue foreign language study right away as a first-year student. If you put it off, you may feel you need to go down a level to review, which only wastes time, money, and effort, and may delay graduation.
Please know that you won’t receive any credit until you take and complete a class at ECU – the Placement Survey itself does not result in credit. You are only allowed to take each placement survey once per academic year.
Students exercising the option to take the foreign language Placement Survey may enroll in a course one level higher than the placement indication with permission of the Chair of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures either during the course adjustment period or by the end of the Drop/Add period. After successful completion of the course, students will, upon request, receive course credit, 3 semester hours, for each course sequentially preceding the one completed. This policy is to be applied to all students regardless of the date of their entry to the university, please see the Admission and Readmission page in the Undergraduate Catalog.
Spanish Placement Survey
Placement is required to enroll in Spanish, even level 1001. We apologize for the inconvenience to those new to the language, but we must require a Placement Survey of all students enrolling in Spanish to make sure they are placed at the correct level.
If you experience any technical difficulties with the placement surveys or need to take a survey in several languages, please contact Ms. Lily Johnson at johnsonlil21@ecu.edu.
French, German & Latin Placement Surveys
Students with previous experience in French, German, or Latin must take the Placement Survey. This allows students to advance to the appropriate level and to receive course credits for the bypassed language course(s), when possible.
Students who already have advanced placement (AP), international baccalaureate (IB), college level examination program (CLEP), or college transfer credit in a language should continue with the next level and are not eligible for Placement Surveys in that language. For more information on this type of credit, please see the Admission and Readmission page in the Undergraduate Catalog. Students who think that the Placement Survey has placed them incorrectly should review the appropriate policy in the Undergraduate Catalog and speak with their instructor.
If you experience any technical difficulties with the surveys or need to take a survey in several languages, please contact Ms. Lily Johnson at johnsonlil21@ecu.edu.
Online Placement Surveys
After completing the Placement Survey and clicking “Submit,” your placement will automatically be sent to Banner and you will be able to register for your course within 2 business days. The online Placement Surveys are very simple and easy to take! They use your previous experience to help determine which course you should enroll in. They will not measure speaking or listening ability. We do not offer automated online placement surveys in other languages and do not require them for enrollment, but students with prior experience may contact faculty members below for a placement interview.
Japanese
Ancient Greek
Russian
Foreign Language Requirement
Courses with prefix CHIN, FREN, GERM, GRK, ITAL, JAPN, LATN, RUSS, and SPAN satisfy the Foreign Language Requirement. Courses with prefix CLAS, GLST, and RUSI, which are taught in English, do not satisfy the Foreign Language Requirement.
Students must demonstrate foreign language proficiency through level 2004 (12 sh) to meet BA degree requirements. Students who transfer in a higher level of foreign language proficiency such as SPAN 1002, will have the lower levels waived (no credits awarded).
Students who already have advanced placement (AP), international baccalaureate (IB), college level examination program (CLEP), or college transfer credit in a language should continue with the next level and are not eligible for Placement Testing in that language. The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures will recognize a state Seal of Biliteracy, regardless of the state in which it was earned. In North Carolina, this is called the Global Language Endorsement (GLE).
Here students can see what their placement in these exams gives them and what course to take next:
Advanced Placement Credit
| Placement Test | Score | ECU course that student takes next | Credit earned | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| French Language | 3, 4, 5 | FREN 3001-03 | FREN 1001, 1002, 2003, 2004 | 12 |
| German Language | 3, 4, 5 | GERM 3001-03 | GERM 1001, 1002, 2003, 2004 | 12 |
| Italian Language & Culture | 3, 4, 5 | N/A | ITAL 1001, 1002, 2003, 2004 | 12 |
| Latin Language | 3, 4, 5 | LATN 3001 | LATN 1001, 1002, 2003, 2004 | 12 |
| Spanish Language | 3, 4, 5 | SPAN 3001-03 | SPAN 1001, 1002, 2003, 2004 | 12 |
Cambridge International AS & A Levels
| Course | Minimum Score | ECU course that student takes next | Credit earned | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arabic I, II, III, IV (AS) | C | N/A | FLGC 1001, FLGC 1002, FLGC 1003, FLGC 1004 | 12 |
| Chinese I, II, III, IV (A) | C | N/A | CHIN 1001, CHIN 1002, CHIN 2003, CHIN 2004 | 12 |
| German I, II, III, IV (A) | C | GERM 3001 or 3003 | GERM 1001, GERM 1002, GERM 2003, GERM 2004 | 12 |
| Hindi I, II, III, IV (A) | C | N/A | FLGC 1001, FLGC 1002, FLGC 2002, FLGC 2003 | 12 |
| Portuguese I, II, III, IV (A) | C | N/A | FLGC 1001, FLGC 1002, FLGC 2003, FLGC 2004 | 12 |
| Spanish I, II, III, IV (A) | C | SPAN 3001 or 3003 | SPAN 1001, SPAN 1002, SPAN 2003, SPAN 2004 | 12 |
| Tamil I, II, III, IV (A) | C | N/A | FLGC 1001, FLGC 1002, FLGC 2002, FLGC 2003 | 12 |
| Urdu I, II, III, IV (A) | C | N/A | FLGC 1001, FLGC 1002, FLGC 2002, FLGC 2003 | 12 |
CLEP Credit Information
| CLEP Examination | Score | ECU course that student takes next | Credit earned | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| French Language: Levels I, II | 50 | FREN 2003 | FREN 1001, 1002 | 6 |
| French Language: Levels I, II (Prior to Summer 2021) | 59 | FREN 3001 | FREN 1001, 1002, 2003, 2004 | 12 |
| French Language: Levels I, II (Effective Summer 2021) | 59 | FREN 2004 | FREN 1001, 1002, 2003 | 9 |
| German Language: Levels I, II | 50 | GERM 2003 | GERM 1001, 1002 | 6 |
| German Language: Levels I, II (Prior to Summer 2021) | 60 | GERM 3001 or 3003 | GERM 1001, 1002, 2003, 2004 | 12 |
| German Language: Levels I, II (Effective Summer 2021) | 60 | GERM 2004 | GERM 1001, 1002, 2003 | 9 |
| Spanish Language: Levels I, II | 50 | SPAN 2003 | SPAN 1001, 1002 | 6 |
| Spanish Language: Levels I, II (Prior to Summer 2021) | 60 | SPAN 3001 or 3003 | SPAN 1001, 1002, 2003, 2004 | 12 |
| Spanish Language: Levels I, II (Effective Summer 2021) | 63 | SPAN 2004 | SPAN 1001, 1002, 2003 | 9 |
International Baccalaureate College Credit
| IB Course | Score | ECU course that student takes next | Credit earned | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IB French (Standard Level) | 4+ | FREN 2004 | FREN 1001, 1002, 2003 | 9 |
| IB French (Higher Level) | 4+ | FREN 3001 or 3003 | FREN 1001, 1002, 2003, 2004 | 12 |
| IB German (Standard Level) | 4+ | GERM 2004 | GERM 1001, 1002, 2003 | 9 |
| IB German (Higher Level) | 4+ | GERM 3001 or 3003 | GERM 1001, 1002, 2003, 2004 | 12 |
| IB Greek (Standard Level) | 4+ | GRK 2004 | GRK 1001, 1002, 2003 | 9 |
| IB Greek (Higher Level) | 4+ | GRK 3001 | GRK 1001, 1002, 2003, 2004 | 12 |
| IB Latin (Standard Level) | 4+ | LATN 2004 | LATN 1001, 1002, 2003 | 9 |
| IB Latin (Higher Level) | 4+ | LATN 3001 | LATN 1001, 1002, 2003, 2004 | 12 |
| IB Spanish (Standard Level) | 4+ | SPAN 2004 | SPAN 1001, 1002, 2003 | 9 |
| IB Spanish (Higher Level) | 4+ | SPAN 3001 or 3003 | SPAN 1001, 1002, 2003, 2004 | 12 |
Seal of Biliteracy/Global Language Endorsement
| Language | Level | ECU course that student takes next | Credit earned after completion of ECU course | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| French | Intermediate Low | FREN 2004 | FREN 1001, 1002, 2003 | 9 |
| French | Intermediate Mid or higher | FREN 3001 | FREN 1001, 1002, 2003, 2004 | 12 |
| German | Intermediate Low | GERM 2004 | GERM 1001, 1002, 2003 | 9 |
| German | Intermediate Mid or higher | GERM 3001 or 3002 | GERM 1001, 1002, 2003, 2004 | 12 |
| Spanish | Intermediate Low | SPAN 2004 | SPAN 1001, 1002, 2003 | 9 |
| Spanish | Intermediate Mid or higher | SPAN 3001 or 3003 | SPAN 1001, 1002, 2003, 2004 | 12 |
| Other language not offered at ECU (i.e Chinese or Tagalog) | Intermediate Low | Any Foreign language course (CLAS, FREN, GERM, GLST, GRK, JAPN, LATN, RUSS, SPAN) | FLGC 1001, 1002, 2003 | 9 |
| Other language not offered at ECU (i.e Chinese or Tagalog) | Intermediate Mid or higher | Any Foreign language course (CLAS, FREN, GERM, GLST, GRK, JAPN, LATN, RUSS, SPAN) | FLGC 1001, 1002, 2003, 2004 | 12 |
Bachelor of Arts (BA) students and Bachelor of Science (BS) in communication students who have only high school credit in the language are strongly encouraged to take a Placement Survey and continue study as freshmen. Free online surveys are available at https://ecu.instructure.com/courses/18554. Students who wish to study a language in which they have no prior experience may enroll in level 1001, but all students enrolling in Spanish are required to take a Placement Survey.
Foreign students or native speakers of a language other than English may have the foreign language requirement waived after meeting with the Chair of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures. Students are not eligible to take a placement survey in their native language to receive credit for basic elementary and intermediate level courses in that language, though they may still major in that language and consult with coordinators about placement above the 2004 level. The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures defines a native speaker as a person who has graduated from high school in a language other than English or has the equivalent proficiency. In order to determine if students meet this definition, students should have transcripts on file with the Office of Admissions, and then contact the Chair of Foreign Languages and Literatures. Students who think that other life experiences have given them the proficiency to read, write, speak, and listen to a language other than English at a level comparable to 2004 may provide evidence, such as foreign language proficiency test results from an authoritative source to the Chair for evaluation. If the requirement is waived, the Chair will submit a petition in Degree Works. In this case, no student credit hours are given for 1001-2004; and students must still satisfy the total hours required for graduation by their major, which may mean taking up to 12 semester hours of electives in place of the foreign language requirement.
Students who take the Placement Survey receive course credit without a grade, only upon successful completion of the course into which they place, as follows:
- Upon passing 1002, students receive course credit (3 semester hours) for 1001.
- Upon passing 2003, students receive course credit (3 semester hours each) for 1001, 1002.
- Upon passing 2004, students receive course credit (3 semester hours each) for 1001, 1002, 2003.
- Upon passing a course above level 2004, students receive course credit (3 semester hours each) for 1001, 1002, 2003, 2004 (the chair will submit a petition in Degree Works).
Students who think that the Placement Survey has placed them incorrectly may enroll one level lower than indicated without departmental approval, or one level higher with permission of the chair, either prior to the start of classes or during the course adjustment period. If students want to enroll in a higher level or more than one level lower than placed, they should contact the Department Chair.
In languages offered by ECU for which placement surveys are not available, the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures offers placement interviews. Students who plan to take languages not offered by ECU should consult the Chair for placement, course evaluation, and advice prior to enrollment.
Sign Language courses do not count for the Foreign Language Requirement.