Second language placements assessments help measure a student's knowledge and skills so they can select advanced courses to continue their language learning. The UO does not give credit for language placement exams.

Students who have earned credit for a language should not need to take a placement test. They should send their official transcript for their coursework, AP, IB, or CLEP programs to the UO’s Office of the Registrar for processing. Once the language credits have been posted to the transcript, students should be eligible to register for the next courses. Students can log into DuckWeb to check if courses have been posted.

French, German, and Spanish

Students who studied French, German, or Spanish in high school and wish to continue studying the language can take a placement assessment to know which classes they should take to advance their language learning. The assessments cost $10 and may be taken online personal computers. If a student wants to come to the University Testing Center, they may make an appointment to take an in-person test. These assessments are not timed but usually take about thirty minutes to complete.

When you take the French, German, or Spanish placement assessment, you will create an account and then log in with your newly created account. Please use your UO email address and ID number (95…) when creating your account to ensure your results are processed more efficiently.

Spanish Heritage Program

Students who have learned Spanish in their household, family, or community (primarily outside of the classroom) should complete the free Spanish Heritage Language Program Placement Survey. After the assessment, you will receive a recommendation for course placement.

Japanese

Students who have learned Japanese or wish to register above JPN 101 are required to take the Japanese placement test. The test consists of listening, grammar and reading, writing, and an oral interview. The Japanese placement is taken online through Canvas and has no time limit.

After completing the written portion, students will receive instructions about the oral interview. Students will receive their placement results after the oral interview is finished.

To make an appointment for the Japanese placement, please contact the University Testing Center at testing@uoregon.edu or 541-346-3230. Appointments for in-person or remote (Zoom) testing must be made at least two business days in advance.

Chinese

Students who have a background in Mandarin Chinese, either as native speakers or through prior coursework, must take a placement exam before enrolling in any Chinese classes. The Chinese placement is completed online through Canvas.

The Chinese placement test is a three-part, fifty-five-minute, multiple choice test which consists of listening, grammar and reading comprehension, and an oral interview. The grammar and reading sections are available in simplified (short-form) or traditional (long-form). After students complete the written portion, they will receive information about the oral interview. You will receive your results after the oral interview.

To make an appointment for the Chinese placement, please contact the UO Testing Center directly at testing@uoregon.edu or 541-346-3230. Appointments for in-person or remote (Zoom) testing must be made at least two days in advance.

Korean

Students with previous experience in Korean or who wish to register above KRN 101 are required to take the Korean placement test. The test has three parts: a forty-five-minute multiple-choice test consisting of grammar and reading comprehension, a twenty-minute writing section, and an oral interview with the Korean program faculty. Students must complete the multiple-choice test and writing section before they meet with Korean faculty for an oral interview. Students will receive their final placement results after meeting with the Korean faculty.

The Korean placement is completed online through Canvas. There are two versions of the Korean placement:

• Level 1 is for students who know how to read and write the Korean alphabet and have engaged in self-study or beginning Korean for less than a year.
• Level 2 is for students who have engaged in self-study or beginning Korean classes for more than a year.

To make an in-person or remote (Zoom) appointment for the Korean placement, please contact the UO Testing Center at testing@uoregon.edu or 541-346-3230.