Second Language Proficiency
Degree completion also requires that each English graduate student demonstrate reading knowledge of a second language in one of three ways:
- passing a fifth-quarter second language course (SPAN 122, FR 122, or GER 122) at Cal Poly; this requires at least a B if you take the course “credit / no credit,” or at least a B- if you take it for a grade
- passing a 122-level translation exam at Cal Poly with a B- or higher (dictionary allowed). Be sure to talk to the English Graduate Director (link opens to new window) about setting up an exam: do not go directly to professors in the Modern Languages department. Fill out a “Request to Take the Translation Exam” form (located in the English department office) and submit it to the Graduate Director within the first two weeks of the quarter in which you plan to be tested. You may attempt the translation exam up to two times.
- demonstrating to the Graduate Director (with transcripts and college catalogue in hand) that you have earned at least a B- in a second language course equivalent to one of Cal Poly’s 122-level second language courses within the last five years. “Equivalent” here denotes the fifth language course offered on a quarter system, or the fourth language course offered on a semester system.
To prepare for a translation exam or 122-level course, you may wish to to take lower-level language courses at a junior college, study the language through online coursework, or take a relevant class at Cal Poly. You are free to either audit such courses or take them “credit / no-credit” since such coursework will not contribute to the degree itself. MLL 400, a two-unit independent study, is another option at Cal Poly for those who prefer working independently.
Note: you should know in choosing a language that many more Spanish courses are offered at Cal Poly than French and German courses. French 122, for instance, is usually offered 4-6 p.m., a time slot that conflicts with one of the graduate courses we offer each quarter. That said, Spanish courses can be difficult to get into as course prerequisites are closely reinforced. Those who do wish to take a Spanish course at Cal Poly should be sure to take the Spanish placement exam soon after their arrival; this is offered twice during the summer, and once each quarter.