Language Other Than English Requirement

• UC Berkeley
• UC Davis
• UC Irvine
• UCLA
• UC Merced
• UC Riverside
• UC San Diego
• UC San Barbara
• UC Santa Cruz

The language other than English requirements and recommendations for undergraduates are described by campus in this section. Requirements may be at the college, school, major or program level.

The "e" subject requirement for admission to the University requires two years of language other than English. In some cases, this will satisfy the student’s foreign language requirement at the University. In many cases, however, additional study is necessary at the college level. Counselors are encouraged to recommend, when appropriate, that students complete additional study of a language other than English before entering the University.

The University strongly encourages all undergraduates to study a language and literature other than English. Exposure to the modes and forms of expression of at least one non-English-speaking culture increases a student’s understanding of the diversity of and similarities among human values and interests. Study of language other than English enriches the undergraduate’s educational experience. It is critical to a comprehensive education in some areas, and can greatly enhance study in other areas. In addition, it introduces students to a significant, scholarly methodology — the exegetic disciplines, the ways in which texts are explained.

Most non-language undergraduate majors require or recommend that students demonstrate competence in at least one language other than English. The ability to read scientific material in either French, German, Japanese or Russian may be important for a science or engineering student. German scholars have done a great deal of work in art history, so a reading knowledge of German is indispensable to art history majors. Knowledge of an ancient language and its literature is advantageous to students of archaeology, history, philosophy, religious studies and rhetoric, as well as medieval and modern literature and linguistics.

Study of language other than English is also appropriate for students who are considering graduate study, even if their undergraduate major does not have a language requirement. Many graduate programs require students to demonstrate proficiency in at least one language other than English, and in some programs, such as textual criticism, students are expected to be able to study documents in the original language.

At the University, lower division study in a language other than English covers grammar, composition and conversation. It usually takes six quarters for students to complete the elementary- and intermediate-level courses, although some departments offer accelerated programs.

Upper division courses are taught in the language other than English. Upper division students also study literature, history, advanced grammar and phonetics of the language.

Ancient languages such as Latin and Sanskrit are taught somewhat differently. Students are not expected to speak the languages, and classes are taught in English.

There are several different approaches to the study of language other than English at the University. Some programs focus on foreign literature, while others focus on the psychological, historical and philosophical aspects of the language. Students interested in a language other than English should be advised to review the General Catalogs to determine which program is best for them. In some cases, study of language other than English is found under "Literature" or "Languages and Literature," while in other cases, the departments are listed by the particular language or group of languages, such as "French" or "Scandinavian Languages." Students should also investigate programs in Classics and Linguistics.