Frequently Asked Questions
General
No, you are not permitted to audit language courses in the RLL department.
Everyone feels anxious at the start of the semester – this feeling is normal. Give the class a couple of days, if you continue to experience anxiety, contact the course head.
No, you are required to enroll in one section time only.
If you’re unable to adjust your course schedule this semester, don’t worry—language courses are offered every Fall, Spring, and Summer. You can enroll in a future term that works better for you.
Placement
15-level, intensive courses are recommended for those who:
- speak another language proficiently
- have zero background in the 15-level course
- are committed to a 7 hour per week class that moves at a fast pace through Beginning I and II material.
If all of these points are true for you, contact the course head for approval.
No, you are not required to take the placement test. You can enroll in the 10-level course.
With a placement score that places you into an advanced level course, you will not be permitted to take a beginning language course.
You can talk with the course head to see if they think that it is appropriate to move you down one level. We rarely move students down more than one level.
You will be asked to attend the level to which you were placed. If the instructor of that course believes that you need to move down a level, they can give a recommendation to the course head. You may also wish to organize a meeting with the course head.
If you have previous language learning experience, you are required to take the placement test as soon as possible. Undergraduates can take the placement test online at the website.
If you have questions regarding access to the placement exam, please contact: placementexams@fas.harvard.edu
Graduate Students
Yes, you can. You will need to contact the course head and complete a SAT/UNSAT form from the registrar.
Yes, you can take the course SAT/UNSAT with the approval from the course head. You may be asked by your course head to sign an agreement about the requirements for SAT/UNSAT students.