Gaining proficiency in a second (or third) foreign language is an excellent way to emerge from your undergraduate studies with a clear advantage over those who are monolingual. Trust us—no one ever has said that they regret knowing another language!

Here’s some essential information to get you started.

Starting a New Language

Beginning classes are offered only in the fall, so if you are interested in studying a new language, you should sign up for one this fall in order to maximize your proficiency gains and increase your opportunities for integrating your language abilities into your other coursework.

Modern Languages Placement Exams/Conversations

Before enrolling in a course in a language you’ve already been studying, please read on to see what to do next.

Have an interest in Chinese?

Contact Daniel Youd (youdd@beloit.edu) for information about placement.

Is Japanese Your Thing?

If you have previously studied Japanese and plan to continue, take the online placement exam. To access it, you must log in using your Beloit username and password. Read the instructions carefully as they will help you determine whether you should take the long or short version of the test. Once you are finished with the online portion, we will follow up to schedule an in-person (or Zoom) meeting. If you have a problem logging in, contact LITS Support at support@beloit.edu. If you have other questions, please reach out to Susan Furukawa (furukawas@beloit.edu).

Ready for French?

If you have previously studied French and plan to continue, you must take an online placement exam. The exam should take less than an hour and requires you to log in using your Beloit username and password. If you have a problem logging in, contact LITS Support at support@beloit.edu.

• Upon completion you must email Professor Joseph Derosier (derosierjp@beloit.edu) so that he can evaluate your exam.
• Students should contact Professor Derosier (derosierjp@beloit.edu) with any other questions.

How about bettering your Spanish?

Students who have previously studied Spanish or grew up using the language must take an online placement test.

• Using your Beloit username and password, you’ll need to login and then click the Enroll me button on the next page. If you have a problem logging in, contact LITS Support at support@beloit.edu.
• You should take the first exam (Spanish Placement Exam) unless you grew up speaking Spanish at home, in which case you should take the exam for heritage speakers only.
• Upon completion you must email Sylvia Lopez (lopezs@beloit.edu) so that she can score your exam.

Other Things to Keep in Mind

Many of Beloit’s study-abroad programs require language study for participation, and several majors require (e.g., international relations) or strongly recommend foreign language study (e.g., music, history, anthropology, political science, philosophy).

And as you think about the future, keep in mind that proficiency in a foreign language enhances your marketability regardless of your major field of study, and this is true in both domestic and global contexts (and it tends to bring bigger salaries). The demand among U.S. employers for employees with foreign language skills is greater than ever before, and the demand is continuing to rise. Just as important: in addition to promoting the development of socio-emotional and leadership skills, knowledge of a foreign language builds cross-cultural competencies and promotes cultural awareness and empathy.