SFS Students

Secondary Language Proficiency

The goal is to prepare students for professional discussions in a modern language other than English that occur in public, private and non-profit sectors of international affairs. Thorough language study builds both linguistic competency and develops cultural literacy—a goal of the SFS curriculum.  To satisfy this proficiency requirement, a student must demonstrate the ability to exchange ideas in conversation on contemporary issues involving international affairs in a modern language other than English.  Students who complete this requirement early in their matriculation are strongly encouraged to continue to study, practice, and use the language to maintain and enhance competency.

• All undergraduate students in the School of Foreign Service are expected to enroll in a modern language class each semester, for a letter grade, until they have met the proficiency requirement.
• Students cannot take a language course pass/fail. 
• Language classes occupy elective slots in the academic schedule.

There are four ways a student can fulfill the language requirement.  

Option 1

Graduating from a secondary school in which the language of instruction was a language other than English. Students must provide relevant documentation to their dean during their first semester at Georgetown. At the dean’s discretion, students may still be required to take a language placement test or proficiency exam during the first semester to verify whether further coursework is needed to obtain language proficiency.

Option 2

For languages offered by Georgetown, passing a proficiency exam offered by the relevant language department  A “pass” on the proficiency exam is comparable to achieving, depending on the language, an Intermediate High to Advanced Mid on the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages Proficiency Guidelines (ACTFL) rating, or a B1/low B2 in the Common European Framework of Reference. Students should check with individual departments for language-specific examination formats, criteria and testing schedules and deadlines. Proficiency exams are also offered on-site at the end of some Georgetown-approved, summer-intensive language programs.  Seniors who do not pass the examination in April may be able to retake the exam in May.

Option 3

For languages not offered at Georgetown, obtaining a score of Advanced Mid on the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages Proficiency Guidelines (ACTFL). Tests are organized by the dean’s office.

Option 4

Directly matriculating in a Georgetown-approved university whose language of instruction is not English and successfully completing one semester of full-time study in the regular coursework of degree-seeking students. 

Additional Language Policies

All students are expected to complete the language proficiency requirement prior to studying abroad if they are nominated to an English language site or to another site in a language other than the one the student is pursuing to fulfill the requirement.