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Language Placement and Evaluation

Who has to take the Brown Placement Exam?

  • Any incoming freshman who has had previous coursework in French must take the Brown Placement Exam UNLESS s/he has presented AP scores or recent SAT II scores. (Those who received an AP score of 3 or under and have no SAT II score should also take the Brown Placement Exam.) For AP and Sat II results, see below.
  • Students with substantial non-academic contact with French (living abroad, speaking French at home.)
  • Upper-classmen who were previously enrolled in a French course at Brown but interrupted their study for more than a semester.

When and where is the Placement Exam given?

The exam is given at the beginning of every semester during the first week of classes. The exam lasts about 30 minutes and is administered at the Language Resource Center, which you can contact for the exact dates and times.

How do I get help determining my correct placement?

If, after reviewing the handout called "French Placement Test" (also available at the Language Resource Center on the second floor of the CIT), you have trouble determining which course you should take, you may contact instructors of language courses or members of the department's language committee (Professors Krause, Seifert, Wiart, Waryn and Kervennic).

What if the course/section I wish to take is not on my class list?

It may happen that you haven't been able to register for the course you wish to take or that the Registrar, for some reason, rejected it.  Do not give up: remember that you have a few weeks to add courses without a fine.  And, given the way enrollments shift during the first week of classes, there is a good possibility that you can get into the course.  What you should do is go to the section(s) of the class that fit(s) your schedule and attend the first 3 days of class regularly.  If 2 classes that you need to attend meet at the same time, please go to one of them and speak with the instructor of the other course immediately before or after the class.  You must also do all the homework assigned in the course you wish to add.

NB: shifting occurs mostly during the first week; by the second week it often becomes more difficult to find open sections.

What do I do if after the first class I realize I have been placed too high or too low?

There is no perfect placement tool and it may be the case that the test scores you got do not reflect your level.  The first thing to do is to talk with your instructor, who might be able to confirm your impression right away, or might direct you to a course supervisor or placement advisor.  It would also be a good idea to sit in on courses at a higher or/and lower level, and to talk to that/those instructor(s).

I took my SAT II in French, what level should I go to?

The current guideline is as follows for incoming students with recent results, all others should go directly to the placement tests:

Below 300                      Take the placement test
300-390                         FREN0100
400-450                         FREN0200
460-510                         FREN0300
520-590                         FREN0400
600-690                         FREN0500-FREN0520
700-800                         FREN0600-0750-0760 or higher

When I place at higher levels on the AP (4+), SAT II (700K+) or Brown Placement Exam (test 2: 80+), there is an array of courses I can choose from (FREN 0600- 720-750-760-1000+).  How do I know where to start?  In what order do I take these courses?

See next question/answer if you are interested in a 1000-level course.

Please note that at the 5th semester level, you can choose:

  • FR500, Writing and Speaking French 1 is a language class where various types of documents are used: films, cultural as well as literary documents, press articles, etc.
  • FR520 has been conceived for students with a strong interest in literature: even though it is a language class (your grade will be based on your linguistic ability) all documents in that course are literary-based.

It is possible (but not mandatory) to take both FR500 and FR520, in any sequence.

The same "tracks" exist at the 6th semester level:

  • FREN 0600: Writing and Speaking French 2, will offer activities based on documents drawn from current events, cinema, press articles and also literature
  • FR750: Intro to literature: literature and social thought
  • FR760: Intensive Intro to literature and literary methods

Having passed one of these courses is the prerequisite for 1000-level courses.  You may take 2 or all 3, in any sequence.

Can I take 1000-level courses right away?

All 1000-level courses at Brown have prerequisites.  In French Studies, the equivalent of a 6th semester course, i.e., FREN 0600, 0750 and 0760, is the prerequisite (exceptionally and with the instructor's approval, students can take 1000-level cooourses after taking FREN 0500 or FREN 0520).  Courses taken abroad or at another institution might be equivalent; students who scored a 5 on the AP Literature test and/or above 0950 on the Brown placement test 2 might qualify.  If this is your case you should consult with either a placement advisor or with the faculty member teaching the 1000-level course you are considering. 

What level of study is required for study in a French speaking country?  FREN 0600.

What level of study satisfies the International Relations Concentration requirement?  FREN 0600.

How do I get information regarding a concentration in French Studies?

By consulting the Course Announcement section on Concentrations; by consulting the French Department Brochure (available in the French Department Office, Rochambeau House) or the web site ; by speaking with our Concentration Advisor, Professor Lewis Seifert any time during the year.

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