Home > Language Programs > Frequently Asked Questions
How do I satisfy my language requirement?
A language requirement can be fulfilled by taking language courses or proficiency tests.
Courses that meet the College two-year requirement (if passed with a grade of C- or better) include:
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Bengali
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Chinese
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ASIANLAN 202 (second semester of second year Chinese on the regular track)
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ASIANLAN 203 (second year intensive Chinese)
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ASIANLAN 204 (second year Chinese on the heritage track)
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any one core course at a higher level (ASIANLAN 301, 302, 304, 401, 402, or 404)
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The two-year language requirement can also be satisfied by Level 3 on HSK, which places you out of Chinese courses altogether. For details about HSK, please refer to the HSK website.
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Filipino
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Hindi
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Indonesian
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Japanese
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ASIANLAN 226 (second semester of second year Japanese)
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ASIANLAN 227 (second year intensive Japanese)
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ASIANLAN 229/RCLANG 296 (second year intensive Japanese in the RC)
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Korean
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ASIANLAN 236 (second semester of second year Korean)
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ASIANLAN 237 (second year intensive Korean)
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ASIANLAN 238 (second year Korean on the heritage track)
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Punjabi
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Sanskrit
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Tamil
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Telegu
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Thai
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Tibetan
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Urdu
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Vietnamese
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How can I predict when a course is typically offered (fall, winter, summer)?
Generally (but not strictly) in the Asian Languages division, courses whose numbers end in an odd number are offered in the Fall Semester, and those whose numbers end in an even number are offered in the Winter Semester. Students are strongly encouraged to refer to the LSA Course Guide or contact the relevant Language Coordinator for more detailed information.
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How do I transfer course credits to the University of Michigan from another school?
For this issue, you should contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and academic advisors in your own college or school. If they ask for verification, an assessment, or a recommendation from the a language instructor, you should contact the Coordinator for that Language Program. At the scheduled meeting with the Language Program coordinator, you will be expected to present the following: program descriptions (if any), course syllabi (if any), instructional materials, official transcripts, instructors' letters (if any), and other supporting documents or materials.
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What is a proficiency test, and how do I take one?
If a student intends to "place out" so that he or she does not have to take any language course on this campus (or at another University), he or she should take a Proficiency Test. Once a student successfully passes the proficiency test, we notify the relevant unit of the result with a suggestion whether a certain requirement can be waived. There may be a fee to take a proficiency test.
Proficiency tests are offered at least twice a year by the Chinese, Japanese, and the Korean language programs. Dates and locations will posted on the Placement & Proficiency Test section of the ALC website as soon as they are known. Generally, alternative testing dates are not possible.
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What is a placement test, and how do I take one?
A Placement Test is only for students who have the intention to TAKE a language course but do not have a recent Univeristy of Michigan course grade or an acceptable one. The test results will only serve to "Place IN," not in any case to "PLACE OUT." In other words, the results will only be an internal reference for placement purposes WITHIN the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures. We're not obligated to send them to anybody or any unit outside our department. Dates and locations will posted on the Placement & Proficiency Test section of the ALC website as soon as they are known. Generally, alternative testing dates are not possible.
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How do I choose the language course that is best for me?
Decisions on course selection is generally done in consultation with your academic advisor. Every student's situation is different, so please use the following as general guidelines.
If you are a true beginner, you usually can just register for the first language course in the sequence. These are generally courses at the 100-level, are odd-numbered courses, and are offered in the Fall semester. There are no prerequisites for these courses.
If you have some existing knowledge of the language, you will need to take the placement test to determine which course will be best for you. Depending on their oral proficency skills and the language being studied, heritage students may be placed into a heritage track which generally moves faster than the standard track and focuses on reading and writing.
If you have not taken a language courses at U-M in the past two years or if you have taken language in a study abroad program, you should take the placement test in order to confirm your correct placing.
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The course I want to take has an enforced prerequisite, which I have not yet taken. How can I register for the class?
Enforced prerequisites generally apply to core language courses only (First Year, Second Year, Third Year, Advanced). If you have taken core courses successfully at U-M in the past, Wolverine Access should recognize that you have automatically meet the prerequisite of the next core course in the hierarchical order, and you should have no problem registering.
If you have not taken any core language courses at U-M yet, you should take a placement test to determine which course best suits your current language level. An override issued by the instructor will then allow you to register for that course.
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How do I get an override into a class?
Overrides for core courses are issued by instructors based on placement test results although such results do not guarantee a space in the relevant class. An override is also needed to get in a non-core course when the class is already full and closed for registration. If you need such an override, you should contact the instructor.
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I am an Ann Arbor high school student or a local resident. How can I register for one of your classes?
Ann Arbor high school students wanting to take UM classes for high school credit, should talk to their high school guidance counselor in order to get the necessary paperwork. They should then talk with the appropriate language coordinator in order to make arrangements regarding class scheduling and registration.
Other than Ann Arbor high school students, all students in ALC language courses, must be officially registered (either as degree students, or as non-degree visiting students). Auditors are not allowed in language recitation sections.
Unless you are a true beginner, you should take a placement test to be placed into the right course at the right level. However, placement test results do not guarantee a space in that class, and priority goes to degreed students on campus.
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What do I do if a course I want to take is cancelled?
We understand that language study is critical for most student's degree programs. We try very hard not to cancel courses in the core language sequence. Situations arise, however, that mean that on occasion courses have to be cancelled. If you find yourself in this situation, please contact the instructor or the Language Coordinator for guidance on other possible options.
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I didn't do very well in my language class last semester. Should I repeat the class or move on?
Language acquisition is a step-by-step process and is cumulative. Your success in every future step hinges on your performance at the present step. If you take a foundation course but get a low grade (C or D), you have virtually missed a step and will inevitably experience greater and greater difficulties in your following studies. In this case, you are strongly urged to repeat the class rather than to muddle on. This is especially important for students at the first and second-year levels, where a strong performance is critical to your future successes.
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Can I take a language class pass/fail?
Yes, you may elect any class pass/fail, but you should do so in careful consultation with an academic advisor. Since language acquisition is cumulative, strong performances in the foundation years (first and second year courses) is vitally important. We have found that students who take founation courses for pass/fail, generally have more difficulty succeeding in later courses.
If the intention is to fulfill the foreign language requirement, fourth semester language classes must be taken for a grade.
You do not need to notify your instructor of your decision to take the class pass/fail. The instructor will review you coursework like any student, and will submit a grade to the Registrar's Office. The Registrar's Office will, in turn, convert the grade into a pass or fail if you have registered for the course with that designation.
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I want to take a course, but I have a schedule conflict with the date/time that it is being offered. What do I do?
Daily attendance is required in all language courses. While occasional absence with a legitimate excuse can be accepted, chronic absence is not acceptable. Generally, if the language course for which you wish to register conflicts with another course you want to take, you will have to make a choice between them. That said, you should contact the instructor to talk about the issue. If the class only has a small number of students, it is sometimes possible to reschedule the class to a time where everyone can attend.
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I'm going to miss the first day or week of class. What should I do?
Talk to the instructor immediately. If you miss the first two meetings of a class, you may be removed from the registration in order to make room for another student. Daily attendance is required in all language courses.
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I'd like to hire a language tutor, or set up a language partnership. Help!
We do not keep a log of prospective tutors or language partners in the Department, however there are a number of tutoring or language partner opportunities on campus - particularly through the Language Resource Center, many of the Area Studies Centers, and sometimes through student organizations. Native speakers are also sometimes interested in tutoring or setting up language partnerships, and may advertise via hallway posters and flyers. If you want to hire a tutor or set of a language partner, please contact your instructor or the language coordinator for assistance. They will often be able to help you identify possible resources.
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I'd like to study abroad in Asia! How do I get started?
Talking with a study abroad advisor at the UM Office of International Programs (OIP) is a great place to start. The Department of Asian Languages and Cultures (ALC) website also has some good resources.
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I'd like to take an independent study course. How do I register for one?
Independent study courses provide highly motivated and capable students with the opportunity to pursue a rigorous course of study that is not accommodated elsewhere in the curriculum. With advanced planning and the guidance of a faculty mentor, you'll design your own course of study and create your own syllabus. The amount of reading and writing is up to the discretion of your faculty mentor, but generally for one credit a student produces 10 pages of written work, and reads one book and three articles.
Students may not work on a topic for independent study, in lieu of a course which is regularly offered.
If you would like to take a class for independent study, please fill out the Independent Study Petition, and submit it to the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures in 3064 Frieze Building. If you have any questions about the process, please call the ALC Undergraduate Services Assistant at 734-764-8286.
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I need a translation verified, can you help?
As a public service, the department will review translations from any Asian language (that we have coverage) into English, and provide official verification if the translation is accurate. This verification service is regularly requested for foreign diplomas, certificates, licenses, etc. If you have a document that you need certified, please bring a copy of the document, along with an English translation, to a staff person in the ALC Department Office (734-764-8287). Turn-around time for translation verifications is generally 7-10 business days. You will be contacted, when the verification is completed and ready to be picked up.
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How do I apply for a GSI (Graduate Student Instructor) position?
GSI position opennings are posted on the ALC webpage. We hire on a semester basis. Please contact the ALC Graduate Coordinator (734) 936-3915 if you have specific questions.
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How do I apply for a Lecturer/Instructor position?
The department occasionally has openings for Lecturer/Instuctor positions in our language programs. These positions are posted on the UM Job Posting website under the LEO-Lecturers category.
If you have specific questions about an opportunity, please contact the ALC Chair's Assistant (734) 615-8623.
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