Self-Placement Guide
Weekend Immersion Programs in Foreign
Languages
To determine whether you are proficient enough with your target (foreign) language to participate in the WIPs, you will need to speak the answers to the questions on the topics below. Try a relaxed location, where you feel the least anxiety in answering aloud. Since the WIPs include multiple languages, I describe the placement criteria and topics below in English. You are welcome to take a look at your favorite foreign language textbook, preferably a beginning- or intermediate-level one, to find the equivalent questions in the language. Just try not to peek at the answers when you challenge yourself to provide them aloud.
This is only a guide to approximate placement in the WIPs. Once you have registered for your language’s WIP, an instructor will contact you by telephone to confirm your oral proficiency level. –Dr. Joel Goldfield, Academic Director, WIPs
In order to feel comfortable participating in a WIP, you will need to be able to do at least the following in Parts I and II:
A. Answer basic
questions, often using multiple words
B. Occasionally use a complete sentence, which may have been memorized
II. Provide basic information
A. With at least 70% accuracy
B. In at least 5 of the categories below to quality for the initial (Advanced Beginner) WIP group.
C. Topics
1) autobiographical information about yourself
2) about your family
3) the date
4) the time
5) the weather
6) clothing
7) colors
8) numbers at least to 100
9) objects in your environment
10) food
11) transportation (e.g., buying a train ticket)
12) your work
III. For placement in the Intermediate group:
A. You will need to be able to speak in full sentences, when necessary, on most or all of the above topics.
B. You’ll want to feel comfortable already
1. speaking in the present tense
2. using common verbs in the past tense
3. asking occasional questions.