International Affairs

   Navigating the International Affairs Language Requirements 

An essential part of the International Affairs major is attaining a solid understanding of a foreign language. The language you chose should be associated with the world region that you are interested in. Combining regional and linguistic/cultural knowledge will allow you to read relevant documents, view media, understand politics and society, visit and communicate with people from that region of the world. The chart below will help you to navigate your path through the language requirement. Depending if you are starting a new language at zero (upper right side) or are continuing a language you have learned in high school or at home, there are different paths available for you to reach the required 211-level. You can get an initial idea of your options by charting your path through this model. You should also be in conversation with your IA advisor on what language and region combination make sense together. In addition, you will need to meet with the faculty in the Department of Languages and Literatures (LLS), who are teaching the language courses. They are the experts in language acquisition and will assess your proficiency and progress.

                                                                                                                              "Do you speak and read more than one language?" If NO: "Do you want to study a language offered at Lafayette?" If YES: "You must pass a course at or above the 211 level in the language or pass a placement test for such a level." If YES: "Is any language you speak appropriate to your field of inquiry (talk with your advisor about this)?" If NO: "Do you want to study a language offered at Lafayette?" If YES: "You must pass a course at or above the 211 level in the language or pass a placement test for such a level." If YES: "Is English the language you want to count for IA purposes?" If NO: "Are you a native English speaker?" If YES: "Did you graduate from a high school in which another language was the language of instruction?" If YES: "You can prove advanced level in the language for IA purposes via your high school diploma - talk to your advisor ASAP." If NO: "You must demonstrate 211 level or above through UPENN testing - talk to your advisor ASAP." If NO: "Your TOEFL score demonstrates advanced level in English - talk to your advisor ASAP."