If you took classes in a foreign language in high school and hope to continue those studies at Saint Louis University, you will need to complete an online skills assessment at least seven days prior to the start of your SLU 101 session.
The foreign language skills assessment is just one factor that your academic adviser will consider when suggesting course recommendations during SLU 101. Other factors include:
- High school classes and earned credit (AP, IB, 1818, transfer)
- SAT or ACT scores
- What you tell your academic adviser during your individual appointment
It is important that you communicate your needs and experiences with your academic adviser during your appointment at SLU 101. Keep in mind, even if the major you’ve chosen doesn’t require a foreign language, it can still be a good path of study to pursue in case your major changes or you decide to add in a minor or certificate that requires foreign language classes.
Take the Skills Assessment
The assessment for Chinese, French, German, Spanish or Latin can be taken online. Once you choose your assessment, follow these steps:
- Enter your SLU email address and select the testing language.
- You will receive an email with a link and instructions on completing the skills assessment.
- Print or make a note of your results so that you can discuss an appropriate course with your academic adviser during your SLU 101 visit.
You may take the test in more than one language and up to two times per language. Your most recent score will be the one used by your academic adviser when suggesting course recommendations.
For assessment of Russian skills, contact Elizabeth Blake, Ph.D. For assessment of Italian skills, contact Simone Bregni, Ph.D. If you wish to test in a language that is not listed, please contact the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures at langadmin@slu.edu.
Results for the assessment will be available to you immediately upon completion. In addition, all scores will automatically be sent to SLU when you finish the assessment.
Keep in mind that the computer assessment does not fully measure your actual competency. The final placement recommendation may be higher or lower than the score obtained on the computer results.
If you still have questions, please contact the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures at langadmin@slu.edu. Technical support of the exam can be requested at help@slupe.org, but non-technology questions should be directed to the department.
SLU 101 Skills Assessment FAQ
A foreign language skills assessment is mandatory for all students planning to continue in a language they have previously studied. If you have not taken a foreign language or are wishing to take courses in a language you have not previously studied, you do not need to take the skills assessment.
There are no practice tests for this skills assessment. We suggest that you review your high school textbooks relevant to the subject area and brush up on certain skills if possible.
Allow 20 minutes for the foreign language assessment. Once a you begin the assessment, you cannot stop and continue at a later time. Please provide yourself with enough time.
We suggest that you print two copies of the results page: one to bring to SLU 101 and one for your personal records. All scores will also automatically be sent to SLU once you finish the assessment. If you forget to print out your test results after you complete the exam, then you can use this link to retrieve your placement test results at anytime.