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, you may need to take a placement test by 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
Oberlin offers Arabic 101: Beginning Arabic I in the fall. There is no Arabic placement test. This course is designed for beginners.
Chinese
- New to the language: Register for CHIN 101.
- Prior experience: Take the Chinese language placement test by May 31.
French
- New to the language: Register for FREN 101.
- Prior experience: Take the French language placement test by May 31.
German
- New to the language: Register for GERM 101.
- Take the German language placement test by May 31.
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.
Italian
Oberlin offers Italian 101 in the fall. Students may register for “ITAL 101 Beginning Italian I.” This course is designed for beginners.
Japanese
- New to the language: Register for JAPN 101.
- Prior experience: Take the Japanese language placement test by May 31.
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.
Russian
- New to the language: Register for RUSS 101.
- Prior experience: Take the Russian language placement test by May 31.
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.
*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.