The Council on Language Instruction seeks to ensure that all Weinberg College students have a comparable academic background in at least one classical or modern foreign language. For the purpose of proficiency testing in languages not regularly taught at Northwestern, the Council will recognize only those languages which can be tested for proficiency in reading, writing, listening, speaking and cultural awareness. Languages which are only oral or which are regional dialects, for example, cannot be used to satisfy the Weinberg College foreign language proficiency requirement.
To validate your proficiency in a language, you must fill out the Petition for Proficiency Validation in a Language Not Taught at Northwestern or Based on Coursework in a High School where English was Not the Primary Language of Instruction and either:
- pass a proficiency examination administered in that language; or
- submit evidence (e.g., high school transcript) that you completed your secondary school coursework at a school where a language other than English was the primary language of instruction
IMPORTANT NOTE
If you are seeking proficiency validation based on coursework in a high school where English was not the primary language of instruction, make sure that you first go to the WCAS Office of Undergraduate Studies and Advising (1922 Sheridan Road, 847-491-7560) for their evaluation. Submit the above petition form if and only if the WCAS Office of Undergraduate Studies and Advising is not able to validate your proficiency in a foreign language based on your high school transcripts.
PETITION DEADLINE
Pick up the petition form at the Weinberg College Advising Office (1908 Sheridan Road, 847-491-8916) or download it from this website. Submit your completed petition -- together with all requisite documentation -- to the Weinberg College Advising Office no later than 4 PM on the last “drop date” during your first regular quarter (i.e., fall, winter, or spring) on campus . This allows the Council sufficient time to make and notify you of its decision so that you can plan your course of study to satisfy the foreign language requirement. Petitions not received by 4 PM on the last day for dropping classes in a given quarter will not be reviewed until the next quarter. Re-petitions are not permitted nor is there any appeal procedure; all decisions by the Council on Language Instruction are final.
If you petition for a proficiency examination in a language not regularly taught at Northwestern, a member of the Council on Language Instruction will attempt to locate a qualified tester in that language. Should a qualified tester not be found within the Northwestern University community, the Council will make a limited but reasonable effort to locate an academically qualified tester within the greater Chicago area.
Once a qualified tester has been located, you must make an appointment for an examination which, in most cases, will be conducted in the Weinberg College Advising Office. After your proficiency examination has been administered, your tester will submit a report and recommendation to the Council. The Council will then make its final determination on the petition.
If no qualified tester can be found within one academic quarter, your petition will be denied and you will need to fulfill the Weinberg College foreign language proficiency requirement in a language taught at Northwestern.
