Foreign Language (FL)

I still need to satisfy the Foreign Language (FL) requirement. What are my options?

• If you have not satisfied FL, then you should complete it as soon as possible. Further delay will not make completion of this requirement easier and may interfere with your graduation.
  
  
• To complete the requirement, you will need to either:
  
  
  1. Complete the second-semester level course in a FL here at Cal with a minimum letter grade of C-; or
  2. Complete an equivalent course at another college (check with www.assist.org); or
  3. Demonstrate sufficient ability in a FL by taking a proficiency exam, offered by some of the language departments at Cal (check with the department office to find out).
     
     
• To make sure you get into courses intended to complete the FL requirement, select them during Phase 1 of Tele-BEARS.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q - I took two years of French and two years of Spanish in high school. Have I satisfied FL?

A - No. However, with your background, you may be able to jump into either French 2 or Spanish 2, and if you earn at least a C- grade, you will complete FL.

Q - I hate foreign language and was terrible at it in high school. Is there any way out of this particular requirement?

A - Sorry, but I'm afraid not! Unless you have a diagnosed disability that prevents you from being able to learn a foreign language, in which case, you may be allowed to substitute some upper division courses in a foreign culture in order to satisfy the FL requirement, but this would require approval from the Dean.

Reading & Composition

Quantitative Reasoning