Department of English Graduate Program Language Requirements
Students in the following programs must demonstrate a reading level proficiency in a foreign language by passing a foreign language exam (pass/fail) or being exempted from the exam through coursework, having previously earned a degree in a foreign language, having previously satisfied a comparable graduate degree requirement, or being an international student whose native language is not English:
- MA Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
- MTESOL
- PhD Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
- PhD English (Literature)
- PhD English (Writing, Rhetorics and Literacies)
Students in these programs are strongly encouraged to fulfill this requirement early so as not to delay graduation. For PhD students, satisfying the language requirement is necessary before progressing to take required exams.
Ways of Satisfying the Language Requirement
- Passing the translation exam administered by the School of International Letters and Cultures (see exam procedure below).
- The School of International Letters and Cultures offers online courses (iCourse for in-person students and oCourse for fully online students) in GER 550 German for Reading Knowledge, FRE 550 French for Reading Knowledge, SPA 550 Spanish for Reading Knowledge, and ITA 550 Italian for Reading Knowledge that can satisfy the requirement with a grade of B or better and count as elective credit in the program.
- In-person students in Linguistics/TESOL: Earning a “B” (3.00) or higher in both ENG 530 Old English and ENG 531 Old English Literature or their equivalent. Literature and WRL students: Earning a "B" (3.00) or higher in ENG 530 Old English or an equivalent, such as Old Norse. Note: these courses are currently not available online.
- Earning a “B” (3.00) or higher in a 400- or 500-level course in an appropriate (approved) language. Any course in which all class meetings are conducted in the approved language will satisfy this requirement; courses conducted in English will not. The class must have been completed within six years of the semester for which the student has been admitted to the program.
- Holding a bachelor’s degree in an approved foreign language.
- Having fulfilled a foreign language requirement towards a previously awarded master's degree that has been completed within six years of the semester for which the student has been admitted to the program.
- For languages which the School of International Letters and Cultures does not offer or does not offer above the 200 level, two years (4 semesters) of successfully completed college level coursework at least at the 100 and 200 level with a C or better would fulfill the requirement. The coursework must have been successfully completed no more than six years prior to admission to the degree program.
- For questions on alternate ways to fulfill the language requirement, contact enggrad@asu.edu
Exceptions
International students whose native language is not English will have this requirement waived once the Plan of Study (iPOS) has been approved with a full committee.
U.S students who are bilingual must still demonstrate a reading knowledge in the second language. To waive the language requirement, documentation or proof in the form of a certificate, a class or indication of bilingual work in a job will be required.
Foreign Language Examination Procedure
The Foreign Language Exam is administered by the School of International Letters and Cultures, which charges a $100 fee for each exam. Payments can be made here.
Students must be enrolled in at least one graduate credit the semester they take the test in.
Tempe campus students should refer to the School of International Letters and Cultures webpage for details about the on-campus exam. It usually takes six to eight weeks for exam results to be reported.
Students in the fully online MTESOL program should email their graduate advisor to plan a date to take the test online. The test must be taken during Department of English business hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Arizona time (excluding holidays). Indicate your choice of language and select from the following list:
Italian
- Come si fa una tesi di laurea by Umberto Eco
- Il Costume Di Casa. Evidenze e misteri dell'ideologia italiana by Umberto Eco
- Il secondo diario minimo by Umberto Eco
Spanish
- El laberinto de la soledad by Octavio Paz
- Culturas híbridas. Estrategias para entrar y salir de la modernidad by Néstor García Canclini
- Ni apocalípticos ni integrados : aventuras de la modernidad en América Latina by Martín Hopenhayn
German
- Medialität der Erinnerung: Uwe Johnson und der Dokumentarismus in der Nachkriegsliteratur by Alexandra Kleihues
- Die literarische Funktion von Kleidung in den Íslendingasögur und Íslendingaþættir by Anita Sauckel
- Der Holocaust in der literarischen Erinnerung: autobiografische Aufzeichnungen von Udo Dietmar und Elie Wiesel by Antonia Barboric
French
- Romantismes Européens et Romantisme Français by Pierre Brunel
- Les écrivains et leurs lectures Philosophiques texts gathered by Bruno Curatolo
- L’Histoire Interdite by Thierry Wolton
For the online exam, we will provide the passage for translation. The passage will range from 300 to 400 words. The examination should not last more than two hours and examinees are expected to translate the entire passage. We are looking for an accurate translation that preserves both idiomatic content and the diction of the text to the best degree possible. The short passage is to be rendered into comprehensible, grammatically correct English. The text is not to be summarized, nor is it to be translated mechanically word-by-word. (Note: we will be able to tell if the student resorted to translation tools.)
It usually takes two to four weeks for online program exam results to be reported.
Petitions to Retake the Exam
Students who fail the exam may petition the Graduate College to retake the exam. The petition must be submitted via the iPOS and should include why the student failed, what the student will do to prepare for the next exam (i.e., new book, dictionary, tutoring, etc.), and why the exam is needed. Students retaking the exam will be required to pay the $100 fee again. Students who fail the exam a second time may petition for one final retake.