| Q: I would like to be exempt from the College's Foreign Language Requirement: What should I do? |
| A: You will have to take a test (oral and written) administered by the language program you wish to be exempt from. MESALC only tests in languages that the department offers (Arabic, Hebrew, Hindi, Persian, and Urdu). Tests are generally administered during the first few weeks at the beginning of the semester. Follow the link for Placement Testing for more information, or contact the Language Program Coordinator for a given language. |
| Q: In which languages does MESALC allow students to "test out of" their College Foreign Language Requirement? |
| A: Arabic, Hebrew, Hindi, Persian, and Urdu. For all other languages, contact Dean Christine Zunz in Garrett Hall (cmz9m@virginia.edu) |
| Q: What should I do if I want to be tested in Middle Eastern or South Asian language (such as Turkish) that is not offered by MESALC? |
| A: Contact Dean Christine Zunz in Garrett Hall (cmz9m@virginia.edu). The Dean's office can arrange for you to be tested in any language you know how to speak, read, and write. |
| Q: I have taken the foreign language exemption test and successfully passed, but the College does not have record of this, what should I do? |
| A: Contact the Language Program Coordinator of the language you were exempt from (or the individual who administered the test), because the language program coordinator should have sent the results directly to the College. (The main department office does not have record of the results.) |
| Q: I would like to enroll in a class in the Department of Middle Eastern and South Asian Languages and Cultures, but I am not a registered UVA student, what should I do? |
| A: You might be eligible for the Community Scholar Program through the School of Continuing and Professional Studies. Please inquire directly with the Community Scholar Program. Please note that the instructor reserves the right not to admit you into a course. |
| Q: Are language courses offered during the evening? |
| A: No. Sometimes a drill session or a dependent course will meet during the evening, but all of the department's main language courses are offered during weekday "business hours." |
| Q: I have a question about a course offered by MESALC: Where should I direct my question? |
| A: Please contact the instructor of the course. If the instructor name is unavailable please contact the appropriate Language Program Coordinator. |
| Q: What courses are you offering? |
| A: You may find a listing of our courses on our web site's Courses page or on the University's online Course Offering Directory. |
| Q: I am a native speaker, which course should I take? |
| A: Contact the instructor of the course you are interested in taking. If the instructor information is unavailable, then contact the Language Program Coordinator for the language you are interested in. A placement test will most likely have to be taken. Note that the instructor and the department reserves the right to place any student in the course most appropriate to his or her skill level. Such placement will be the responsibility of each language program and should be made by the fifth class meeting. |
| Q: I took 2 years of a language in high school or at another institution, which class should I take? |
| A: Contact the instructor of the course you are interested in taking. If the instructor information is unavailable, then contact the Language Program Coordinator for the language you are interested in. A placement test will most likely have to be taken. Note that the instructor and the department reserves the right to place any student in the course most appropriate to his or her skill level. Such placement will be the responsibility of each language program and should be made by the fifth class meeting. |
| Q: How do I contact a faculty member of MESALC? |
| A: Email is the preferred means of communication. Not all of our faculty have voice mail. Please note that when classes are not in session our faculty might be inaccessible and might not respond to you promptly. Please be patient, our faculty will eventually answer your email. For a list of faculty, contact information, and office hours, visit the MESALC Faculty page. |
| Q: I would like to be placed out of the second year level of a language, what should I do? |
| A: You will have to take a test (oral and written) administered by the language program you are interested in. Tests are generally administered during the first few weeks at the beginning of the semester. Contact the Language Program Coordinator for more information. Testing information might also be available on our home page. |
| Q: Does your department offer a language immersion program? |
| A: No. Our courses are semester based and follow a sequence. During the Fall semester 101, 201, etc. courses are offered. The continuation of these courses are offered in the Spring (102, 202, etc.) |
| Q: Can I start a language in the Spring semester? |
| A: If it is a 100 level course and you are a true beginner, no. You will have to follow the 101, 102 sequence. All 101 courses are offered during the Fall semester. However, if you have experience in the language you might be able to place out of the 101 course. You will have to check with the instructor and the Language Program Coordinator. This also applies to any other level of language offered during the Spring. |
| Q: I am a student who has been placed in the fourth year of the language I still want to learn. Is it possible for me to receive credit for the third year? |
| A: No. The University does not allow for credit in such situations. |
