Placement of students with foreign language background varies according to the level of language proficiency. Normally, students with three years or more of high school study are encouraged to enroll at the intermediate level (FREN or SPAN 2010 fall, 2020 spring). Students with exceptional foreign language skills may be approved by the department chair for enrollment in advanced courses.
We strongly encourage students with previous exposure to a language to continue their study of that same language as soon as possible in order to avoid language loss. Additionally, language study during the freshman year leaves the option open to add a language major or minor later — an option that is becoming increasingly popular among students as more and more employers are looking for bilingual employees. Language study should begin in the fall semester. Due to the levels of each language that are offered at Harding, there are very few opportunities to begin language study in the spring.
Validation credit for previous language study may be obtained upon written request as follows: Students with three or more years of high school foreign language study, upon completion of the Harding University intermediate course of the same language with a grade of A or B in both semesters, first time enrolled, may receive eight hours of credit for the elementary course. Students with exceptional two-year programs may be approved by the department chair for inclusion in this offer.
The foreign language program at Harding complies with nationally recognized guidelines for content of course offerings at the 1000 and 2000 levels. Due to the wide variety of language programs across the nation, prior to the granting of equivalency for Harding courses, transfer credit for 1000- and 2000-level courses must be verified by the successful completion of the next level skills course with a C or better or by a Harding equivalency test covering the subject matter. Students with inadequate skills may be asked to repeat coursework in order to achieve adequate proficiency levels in order to continue in the program. It is to be understood that in a continuing program a certain basic knowledge is essential to performance at advanced levels. Students are encouraged to counsel with the department chair prior to enrolling for concurrent credit.
Harding University grants credit from CLEP foreign language examinations, depending on the score, and also grants AP credit in foreign languages. Students who are eligible for validation credit (see above) may not need to sit for CLEP or AP exams. Therefore, all students are advised to check with the department before registering for CLEP exams. Consult Harding University's current catalog for more detail, or if you have further questions, call the registrar's office at 501-279-4057.
Because there are shortages of foreign language teachers at both the national and the state levels, there are a number of grant and loan forgiveness programs available to foreign language students who are preparing to teach in K-12 settings. See the Arkansas Department of Education's list of such programs.
