Important Notice: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic: All Fall 2020 and Winter 2021 courses will be offered online.

Language placement testing has moved online for the Fall 2020 and Winter 2021 terms.

Having trouble with technology in your language classes? Click here to check out videos on some of the more common questions.

NEW REQUIREMENT: A mandatory Language Background Questionnaire must be completed by: ALL individuals who would like to take an introductory level course or have registered in one (1010 and 1110 course levels). New students trying to register in an upper level language course. See the placement testing webpage for more information on the new questionnaire and placement testing requirements.

A mandatory

We are also offering conversation practice in a limited number of languages. These sessions will start on 21 September, 2020 and are offered by volunteers who are proficient in the language. Click the link below to join and if you have a language you would like to share, email us.

Learn a language

At the School of Linguistics and Language Studies we offer courses in the following modern languages:

Most of our language courses are offered at all levels, from Beginner to Advanced. For those students who require an accelerated start to their language training for professional or academic purposes, SLaLS offers some languages as intensive courses with extra class time per week and a double credit value.

Note: Students who have already earned credit in a language course at another institution or have learned the language before somewhere else, must be formally placed to determine their current level of proficiency and best placement within the SLaLS program. These students must complete a placement test. Please try to test as early as possible. Placement test results are required PRIOR to registration in upper level courses.

Also, whenever possible we offer one or more of the languages from the languages less commonly taught (LANG) area. In the past, we have offered indigenous languages such as Cree, Inuktitut, and Algonquin (previously listed under ALSS).

And finally, please note that students are not permitted to audit language courses.

Minor Programs

The School offers minors in American Sign Language, German, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Korean, Russian, and Spanish are available and open to all undergraduate degree students. Please note: students interested in being admitted to the Italian minor must meet with the School Director and receive written permission.

Heritage Language Courses

“Heritage Language” classes are intended for students who grew up with exposure to a particular “foreign” language, but who did not study it in a formal setting or at an academic level. These courses are not offered every semester. Contact the School for more information.

Other Languages at Carleton

French courses are taught by the Department of French.

Greek, Latin, Sanskrit, and Hebrew are offered through the College of Humanities.