• Welcome to OGBoards 10.0, keep in mind that we will be making LOTS of changes to smooth out the experience here and make it as close as possible functionally to the old software, but feel free to drop suggestions or requests in the Tech Support subforum!

Exempting the Foreign Language Requirement

barrpet11

barrpet11

New member
Joined
Jul 15, 2011
Messages
70
Reaction score
2
Location
Winston-Salem, NC
I just transferred to Wake this spring as a second semester sophomore. Historically, foreign language classes have proven to be my downfall.

I have heard whispers about being able to exempt the foreign language requirement with some test. I was wondering if anyone had done this or knew the way to go about doing this.

Thanks.
 
You gotta pay like $500 if you aren't an athlete, IIRC.
 
I would say talk to your faculty advisor, and others on this thread will probably know more than me.
 
I did it. You have to take an aptitude test to show you suck at language then take three translation classes (I took Russian Lit, Japanese Lit and classics). Google will help you "pass" the aptitude test.
 
TownieDeac said:
You gotta pay like $500 if you aren't an athlete, IIRC.
Click to expand...

I think mine was $350. It was the cheapest of all of the tests that I took.

I just sent you a PM. Feel free to ask away. (Warning it may take me a bit to respond, I'm a little stretched with work for the next few days).
 
Last edited:
There was an aptitude test when I was a freshman that would determine your placement for starting out in whatever language. I think if you placed high enough you could be exempt, or there was some way to get out of it by claiming inability to learn a foreign language or some shit. Not sure about the money.
 
rawarr said:
There was an aptitude test when I was a freshman that would determine your placement for starting out in whatever language. I think if you placed high enough you could be exempt, or there was some way to get out of it by claiming inability to learn a foreign language or some shit. Not sure about the money.
Click to expand...

It is an actual learning disability called "Foreign Language Learning Disorder". It was discovered by either a Yale or Harvard professor. He couldn't quite understand why exceptionally bright students with high IQs were failing foreign languages while doing very well in all their other classes.
 
HailToTheDeacons said:
Is there a Mathematics Learning Disorder, as well?
Click to expand...

There is one called Dyscalculia. Like Foreign Language, there is often some underlying disorder that causes that learning disorder. For instance there may be a language processing or reading disorder, which could cause Dyscalculia and/or Foreign Language Learning Disability. My understand is that most often you see people with several learning disabilities, not just one.

I do a good bit of tutoring on the side for others with the same learning disabilities as I have. I would say that 100% of them have at least 2 issues. Some it is hearing loss or a hearing disorder. Some it is dyslexia.

My cousin has Dyscalculia but not Foreign Language. We both have the same 2 root causes.

There is one family that I know where all 3 of their kids have APD. 2 of them can learn a foreign language. 1 of them has FLLD. Another one has dyslexia. The root of all 3 of their issues is the APD.

I'm sure someone with a psychology background could give more scientific evidence and basis. Mine is basically from all the major research that I have done over the years trying to figure out why I learn the way I do and how I learn best.
 
Last edited:
I did it as well.

Had to go to Greensboro to see a Specialist at her home and she administered the aptitude test.

It was a pain and lasted 2-3 hours...
 
WakeGal said:
It is an actual learning disability called "Foreign Language Learning Disorder". It was discovered by either a Yale or Harvard professor. He couldn't quite understand why exceptionally bright students with high IQs were failing foreign languages while doing very well in all their other classes.
Click to expand...

I'm fairly sure I have it, and its fairly simple. I can't learn anything audibly. If someone speaks for more than a few minutes I simply can't focus, even in english, so in French its much worse.

Since I can only learn from reading, not being able to understand the textbook doesn't help. I got like 3 D-'s in my foreign language, absolutely killed my GPA, and I'm still bitter. When an eighth of your college grades are a D- the highest you can get is a 3.5.

I think I took 8 years of my foreign language before starting Wake, starting when I was 5 years old. When I took the placement test I couldn't even understand the directions, so placed in the remedial class so had to deal with four semesters of it. My teacher only passed me to graduate out of pity.

If I took the time in high school to know what the frick liberal arts meant and knowing I'd be forced to take a foreign language literature class, let alone four classes, I would not have gone to Wake.
 
Last edited:
palmab03 said:
I'm fairly sure I have it, and its fairly simple. I can't learn anything audibly. If someone speaks for more than a few minutes I simply can't focus, even in english, so in French its much worse.

Since I can only learn from reading, not being able to understand the textbook doesn't help. I got like 3 D-'s in my foreign language, absolutely killed my GPA, and I'm still bitter. When an eighth of your college grades are a D- the highest you can get is a 3.5.

I think I took 8 years of my foreign language before starting Wake, starting when I was 5 years old. When I took the placement test I couldn't even understand the directions, so placed in the remedial class so had to deal with four semesters of it. My teacher only passed me to graduate out of pity.

If I took the time in high school to know what the frick liberal arts meant and knowing I'd be forced to take a foreign language literature class, let alone four classes, I would not have gone to Wake.
Click to expand...

Same happened with me, except I even failed the class.

After getting the FLLD those grades were expunged.
 
What do you call somebody who knows two languages? Bilingual.
What do you call somebody who knows three languages? Trilingual.
What do you call somebody who knows one language? American.

If you can pass the aptitude test to show you're fluent in that language, you can exempt yourself. Otherwise, you're up the creek. If there was an actual exemption for being a foreign language tard in 1990, I sure didn't know about it. I'd be embarrassed if Wake had something like that in place.
 
EatLeadCommie said:
If you can pass the aptitude test to show you're fluent in that language, you can exempt yourself. Otherwise, you're up the creek. If there was an actual exemption for being a foreign language tard in 1990, I sure didn't know about it. I'd be embarrassed if Wake had something like that in place.
Click to expand...

There was some learning disability test you could have taken to get out of the language thing, if I recall correctly. I looked into it heavily, and remember one kid who did it. I think you got to like read english translated french literature stuff instead.
 
DeaconSlim2.0 said:
Same happened with me, except I even failed the class.

After getting the FLLD those grades were expunged.
Click to expand...

There was something involved with getting that that made me not go through the process, but I can't remember what it was.

Speaking of placement tests, none was better at Wake than the Chemistry one. I got a 3 on the AP test and needed a 4 or higher to get the credit, but they invited me to take the 2nd semester Chem Final, and if I passed they'd give me 10 credits.

Half of the class literally got up and left during the test knowing they couldn't pass, I think I made it by a point and got 10 frickin credits.
 
EatLeadCommie said:
What do you call somebody who knows two languages? Bilingual.
What do you call somebody who knows three languages? Trilingual.
What do you call somebody who knows one language? American.

If you can pass the aptitude test to show you're fluent in that language, you can exempt yourself. Otherwise, you're up the creek. If there was an actual exemption for being a foreign language tard in 1990, I sure didn't know about it. I'd be embarrassed if Wake had something like that in place.
Click to expand...

So the 3-4 people on this thread who have already said there was an exemption and that they had partaken in it didn't give you a fucking clue?

What a prick.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top