Introductory Language Programs

If you have never studied French, Spanish or Italian, you should take FR/SPA/ITA 111. Please send a registration request through this platform to sign up!

For students with prior exposure to the language, we offer a language placement process that will help you assess the best class for your proficiency level. Begin the placement process if any of the following statements apply to you:

• you studied French, Italian or Spanish in a classroom, or other formal setting, for more than a year
• you used French, Italian or Spanish at home
• if you lived in a place where French, Italian or Spanish was spoken

In general:

• FR 111, ITA 111 and/or SPA 111: This is the introductory course for true beginners only. Students with no prior instruction in the language will take the 111-112, 1-year (2 semesters) 6-credit sequence.
• FR 112, ITA 112 or SPA 112 is usually the starting elementary course for most students who completed two years of high school language and/or passed a Regents examination.
• FR 201, ITA 201, SPA 201 is usually the starting course for most students who took three or more years of the language in high school. Students will then continue with 202, the second semester course in the sequence.

Language Studies

• AP, CLEP, DANTES, IB: Students who took any of these examinations should visit the Transfer and Articulation Services site to check articulation of scores for French, Italian and Spanish courses before registering for courses.  

Transfer Students

• Students who have completed coursework in French, Italian or Spanish, either at UB or another college, should not register in a proficiency level lower than that already completed. If the transferred courses are not articulated in the Transfer and Articulation Site (TAURUS), students must provide a copy of the full course(s) syllabus to the respective language coordinator. Syllabi can be sent via email or be dropped off in 910 Clemens Hall for evaluation by the coordinators.
• Current UB students planning on taking a language course during winter or summer sessions at another college, should check the Transfer and Articulation Site (TAURUS) for articulated courses. If the courses are not articulated, the same process outlined above for transfer students applies.
• Please note that the language programs at UB do not accept transferred foreign language courses as equivalent to UB’s language courses if they are offered fully online with no significant aural/oral practice or interaction among students as well as with the instructor.

Repeating a Course

• Students repeating a course in which a failing or D grade was received must do so prior to registering in a higher-proficiency level course.

Improper Placement

• If a student feels they have been placed in a course that is too low or high for their previous level of knowledge, they should see the course director during drop/add. Before taking this step, the department advises the student take a few days to grow accustomed to hearing the foreign language spoken again after some time away from it.
• Please be aware that if a student misrepresents their previous knowledge of the language, they will be administratively deregistered from the course as this is a violation of the Academic Honesty policy.  Neither the department nor its representatives are responsible for any financial penalties or academic difficulties incurred due to misrepresentation of knowledge on the student’s part.

For any further information on placement, please see the placement information form.