Language Placement Information for New Students

Welcome Incoming Class of First-Year Students! Below is information for those interested in taking Chinese and/or Japanese language at W&L. It is exciting to begin a new language in college. Be bold and daring! Who can tell where this journey may lead? You may find yourself walking on the streets of Beijing or riding the Bullet Train in Japan! For those who have already taken the plunge and have some language background, be sure to contact us!

(Information for Fall will be posted during the summer.)

Chinese

Students with no background in the Chinese language should register for CHIN 111. For all questions about the Chinese language program, please contact Professor Hongchu Fu.

For students with previous experience in Chinese, please follow the online Chinese Placement test instructions below:

Take a Chinese background survey first, and then start the Chinese placement test. You need to complete both. Please take the online Placement Test by Monday, June 26th.
After you have completed the online tests, Please register HERE to schedule a brief zoom interview (about 10 minutes) on Wednesday, June 28, 2023.
Remember that you are on your honor when you take the online placement test. The test should be taken in one sitting and assistance of any kind (books, dictionaries, online glossaries, help from others) is absolutely forbidden. For the listening part, you may click on the sound file only once in order to answer the question below. You may take the entire test only once.
The placement test and the oral interview will be used to place you in an appropriate level (Elementary Chinese, Intermediate Chinese, Advanced Chinese, or above).

Japanese

Students with no background in Japanese language should register for JAPN 111. For all questions about the Japanese language program, please contact Professor Janet Ikeda.

For students with background in Japanese, contact Professor Janet Ikeda to schedule an individual interview before first-year class registration.