Are you coming to USM with a background in one or more languages other than English? This page will walk through where to start with continuing coursework in that language and/or how to earn credit for your previous learning.
Here’s what you should know:
101 classes are for true beginners
Students who are native speakers or who have taken multiple years of a language in high school should start at a level higher than 101, if possible. This is because:
- The class will likely not be engaging for them.
- They are coming to the class with more experience than other speakers, which may make it more difficult for those who are truly beginning the language to learn.
All students with at least two years of experience speaking or writing a language should contact the Linguistics Department to see which course they should start with. They can start by emailing the chair of the Linguistics department at jeanne.heil@maine.edu.
Information on ASL placement specifically can be found here.
French and Spanish placement tests are available through Brightspace, and are free.
Students who want to take the online placement for these languages should email the chair of the Linguistics department at jeanne.heil@maine.edu so she can provide them with the link.
Students who want to earn credit for their language knowledge can take Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) exams
This includes students who:
- Have proficiency in a language that is not offered at USM.
- Have proficiency in a language that is offered, but don’t want to or can’t take classes
- Have placed into a 200-level or higher class and want to earn credit for their 100-level knowledge.
The CPL office offers language exams in over 100 languages. These include multiple-choice computer-based exams that test reading and listening comprehension, as well as live telephone interviews. These exams are offered on the Portland campus by appointment or through remote options, and cost between $80-$165 depending on the exam.
Students who want to take a language exam can contact the CPL office at priorlearningusm@maine.edu or 207-780-4663, or by visiting the CPL office in Luther Bonney Hall Suite 253 on the Portland campus.
Students interested in continuing their study in a previously-learned language should first determine their placement with the Linguistics department before contacting the CPL office to set up an exam. Students should work with their professional advisors to make sure that credits earned from CPL language exams will help them finish their degrees.
Language Courses/Exams and the Core Curriculum
The following courses and exams fulfill the Cultural Interpretation core area at USM:
- All 100 and 200-level USM language courses
- Advanced Placement exams with a score of 3 or higher and credits earned from the Seal of Biliteracy
The following courses and exams also fulfill the International core area at USM:
- FRE 202, GER 202, ITA 202, SPA 202
- Seal of Biliteracy and Advanced Placement credit for the above 202 courses
The following exams do NOT fulfill USM core areas on their own:
- CLEP
- BYU FLATS
- ACTFL OPI
Students who want to fulfill the Cultural Interpretation core area through CPL exam can do so by completing an extra assignment after passing the exam. Please contact the CPL office for details at priorlearningusm@maine.edu or 207-780-4663, or by visiting the CPL office in Luther Bonney Hall Suite 253 on the Portland campus.
Resources
Department of Linguistics:
https://usm.maine.edu/linguistics
Credit for Prior Learning office:
https://usm.maine.edu/priorlearning
207-780-4663