Studying a language other than English (a "LOTE") is a General Education requirement at Illinois. You must successfully complete either the third or the fourth level of a LOTE in order to fulfill your language requirement. First and second levels refer to elementary language learning. Third and fourth levels refer to intermediate language learning. Some academic programs and majors require that you achieve higher-level language proficiency by completing advanced language learning.
It is strongly recommended that you take a LOTE placement test even though you think you have fulfilled your Gen Ed language requirement. A year-long AP or IB language course in high school usually does not count for more than one semester of college-level study. Studying the language in middle school may not count at all.
You need to take a placement test in your preferred LOTE if you plan to continue studying the language at Illinois and you do not already have college-level credit for the language in your Illinois academic record.
Please note that you are allowed only one attempt at the online LOTE placement tests.
Your language course placement will be valid for one year. This means, for example, that if you took the Spanish Placement Test in Summer 2023 but you chose not to enroll in a Spanish course for the Fall or Spring semester, you may still follow the Spanish placement when you register in the spring for your Fall 2024 classes. However, if you don't enroll in your Spanish course for Fall 2024 either, your placement expires. You would need to consult with the Department in order to obtain an updated evaluation of your knowledge level.
Click here to take a language placement test in French, German, Latin, or Spanish.
FRESHMEN
Please check to see what your academic program requires. For example, all programs in the Grainger College of Engineering require that their students complete the third level of a LOTE. In contrast, most (but not all) programs in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences require that their students complete the fourth level of a LOTE (or the third level of two LOTEs).
- Online placement tests are offered in French, German, Latin, and Spanish. You are allowed only one attempt, and you will see your course placement as soon as you finish. You should discuss your placement test result and your course enrollment options with your academic advisor and/or with the language department.
- Placement tests are also offered in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, the Slavic languages, Modern Greek, and several Southeast Asian languages (e.g., Hindi) at the beginning of each fall and spring semester and are open to both new students and continuing students. High scores on these exams can fulfill the Gen Ed language requirement; course credit is not awarded. Some language tests are now offered online. Please check the webpage for the most up-to-date information.
- Do you want to study another LOTE? Placement testing is offered in nearly 40 other languages. Contact the professor to make arrangements.
TRANSFER STUDENTS
Please check to see what your academic program requires. If you studied a language other than English in high school but you have not earned college credit for it AND you plan to continue studying it, you need to take its placement test.
- Online placement tests are offered in French, German, Latin, and Spanish. You are allowed only one attempt, and you will see your course placement as soon as you finish. You should discuss your placement test result and your course enrollment options with your academic advisor and/or with the language department.
- Placement tests are offered in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, the Slavic languages, Modern Greek, and several Southeast Asian languages (e.g., Hindi) at the beginning of each fall and spring semester and are open to both new students and continuing students. High scores on these exams can fulfill the Gen Ed language requirement; course credit is not awarded. Please check the webpage for the most up-to-date information.
- Do you want to study another LOTE? Placement testing is offered in nearly 40 other languages. Contact the professor to make arrangements.
Did you study Chinese at your previous institution? Do you want to continue studying Chinese at Illinois? If so, here's how to interpret your transcript and how to understand your course enrollment options.
NON-NATIVE ENGLISH-SPEAKING STUDENTS:
Need more information on how the language requirement pertains to you? Learn more here.