Why does Carleton have a language requirement?

As a liberal arts college, Carleton challenges its students to study broadly as well as deeply, and to gain a larger understanding of the world they live in. In addition to the primary benefits that foreign language competency can offer (including basic communication, the ability to read foreign texts, and interaction with those of a different culture), learning another language helps you to:

• Understand the way language is embedded within cultural practices and worldviews.
• Gain a fuller understanding of the role played by your own native tongue.
• Experience the challenges of dealing with other cultures and peoples on their own terms.

More benefits of language study.

What's required and how do I satisfy it?

Carleton requires that all students become competent in a second language. This requirement can be satisfied by:

• Satisfactory completion of a fourth-level language course numbered 204 (fifth-level or 205 in Arabic, Japanese or Chinese); or
• Testing out of the language requirement via a standardized test or departmental examination; or
• For native speakers of languages other than English, by demonstrating competence in their native language as well as English. See our Language Exemption site for details.

FAQs about the language requirement.

Going beyond the requirement

Students are encouraged to increase their proficiency through advanced courses and study abroad and to apply their language skills in their academic work in other areas. With this foundation, language will enrich their studies at Carleton and enable graduates to become contributing members of the multi-cultural world.