Academic Advising Resource Center

Taking a Language

Oberlin offers sixteen language-based curricular pathways, four language houses, over a hundred study-away programs, and our own immersive faculty-led courses around the world.

The process for taking a language course will vary depending on whether you are new to learning the language or if you have prior experience with the language. 

If you have prior experience with a language you wish to take this fall, take the placement exam as early in the summer as possible and preferably before May 31. Prior experience might include taking classes in high school, speaking the language at home, or living abroad.

Please review the information below for additional details on how to register for a language course in your first semester at Oberlin. To learn more about these course offerings, please explore the catalog and the schedule of classes.

Arabic

  • New to the language: Register for ARBC 101.
  • Prior experience: First-year students with prior experience may consider ARBC 201, which is designed for students who have studied the language for one year, including by classroom instruction or living in an Arabic-speaking environment. For questions, please contact the instructor, Shatha Alhawamdeh. 
  • Indicate your interest in Arabic on the Language Interest Form in Engage. (Form available May 19)

Chinese

  • New to the language: Register for CHIN 101.
  • Prior experience: Take the Chinese language placement test by May 31.
  • Indicate your interest in Chinese on the Language Interest Form in Engage. (Form available May 19)

French

  • New to the language: Register for FREN 101.
  • Prior experience: Take the French language placement test by May 31.
  • Indicate your interest in French on the Language Interest Form in Engage. (Form available May 19)

German

  • New to the language: Register for GERM 101.
  • Take the German language placement test by May 31.
  • Indicate your interest in German on the Language Interest Form in Engage. (Form available May 19)

Greek

  • New to the language: Register for GREK 101.
  • Prior experience:  First-year students with prior preparation in Greek may enroll in GREK 201. The Classics department does not give or require a placement exam in Greek but during orientation Classics faculty are happy to consult with students about which level of the language would be appropriate for them. During summer registration, students may register for the class that appears to correspond to their experience level, understanding that they may adjust their registration after meeting with the Chair of Classics. Students should be assured that there will be open spots at the 200-level if they have sufficient preparation to begin study at that level.
  • Indicate your interest in Greek on the Language Interest Form in Engage. (Form available May 19)

Italian

  • Oberlin offers Italian 101 in the fall. Students may register for “ITAL 101 Beginning Italian I.” This course is designed for beginners.
  • Indicate your interest in Italian on the Language Interest Form in Engage. (Form available May 19)

Japanese

  • New to the language: Register for JAPN 101.
  • Prior experience: Take the Japanese language placement test by May 31.
  • Indicate your interest in Japanese on the Language Interest Form in Engage.
  • Contact Ann Sherif in East Asian Studies with questions. (Form available May 19)

Latin

  • New to the language: Register for LATN 101.
  • Prior experience: First-year students with prior preparation in Latin may enroll in LATN 201 or LATN 316. The Classics department does not give or require a placement exam in Latin but during orientation Classics faculty are happy to consult with students about which level of the language would be appropriate for them. During summer registration, students may register for the class that appears to correspond to their experience level, understanding that they may adjust their registration after meeting with the Chair of Classics. Students should be assured that there will be open spots at the 200- or 300-level if they have sufficient preparation to begin study at that level.
  • Indicate your interest in Latin on the Language Interest Form in Engage. (Form available May 19)

Russian

  • New to the language: Register for RUSS 101.
  • Prior experience: Contact Maia Solovieva to take the Russian language placement test by May 31. 
  • Indicate your interest in Russian on the Language Interest Form in Engage. (Form available May 19)

Spanish

  • New to the language: Register for HISP 101. 
  • Prior experience: Take the Spanish language placement test by May 31.
  • Students who identify as Heritage Speakers*: Please contact the chair of Hispanic Studies, Ana María Díaz Burgos.
  • Indicate your interest in Spanish on the Language Interest Form in Engage. (Form available May 19)

*While differing definitions exist, we usually think of a heritage speaker as someone who was raised for a majority of their lives in the United States, in a home where Spanish is spoken and who understands and speaks the language to some degree.

Learn more about Languages at Oberlin