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1. Language validation credit is typically awarded for either two or four semesters (FL101 FL102, or else FL101 FL102 FL201 FL202). This prevents the difficulties that would arise when a midshipman who has not used a language for several years starts out in mid-year with a class that has recently mastered the first half of the course material.
2. Midshipmen may attempt validation in a given language at most twice, normally once during plebe summer and once more during a regularly scheduled makeup period (late February through Spring Break; watch for the announcement by e-mail).
3. Makeup exams are offered to allow midshipmen...
a. to validate more than one language
b. to be tested if they missed the exam during plebe summer
c. to demonstrate their actual language proficiency if fatigue or technical difficulties impaired their performance on the first try.
4. Midshipmen who have already taken coursework in a given language at USNA are not permitted to validate courses in that language.
5. Makeup periods are during the first ten days after Brigade Reform in August, and again in the spring during February or March. These makeup exams are announced to the Brigade in various e-mails and in the Plan of the Day (August makeup only). Details are posted on this page starting about two weeks before a makeup period. If you want to be retested, heed the announcements!
Sign up for a language validation makeup exam (deadline: 6 March 2008)
6. In the case of a retest, only the higher of the two scores counts. In other words, a poorer performance on a second try will not cause one to lose validation credit already earned.
7. Due to the specific detailed cultural, historical and literary content of the 300- and 400-level courses, they are not subject to validation.
8. Exceptions to these policies are made only as follows:
a. Consideration for one- or three-semester validation credit may be requested in special cases, e.g. when switching languages or majors in mid-year and exam results did not justify a full two or four semesters credit.
b. Retries A second retry may be permitted at the discretion of the Department Chair or the Senior Academic Adviser, if the midshipman offers evidence of substantial additional experience with the language likely to lead to a better result (the principle is not "if at first you don't succeed, try and try again.")
c. Individual makeup exams may be scheduled at the discretion of the Department Chair or the Senior Academic Adviser, usually at the direction of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, for special reasons such as change of language or major, to facilitate completion of a language minor for Division I and II majors, or to ensure that the midshipman is placed in language courses at the appropriate level. The desire to fulfill the language requirement more quickly in order to open up spaces in one's matrix is not sufficient reason to request an individual makeup test.
9. Division III majors who validate one year of language must take the second year of that language (or else start a new language) starting in the fall of the third-class year. There is an important pedagogical reason for this: continuity is a key to success in language learning. Since validation is based on performance during plebe summer, delay in resuming language study beyond the third-class year increases the likelihood that midshipmen will experience difficulties with their language classes. After registration, checks and automatic changes are made to ensure compliance with this policy. Do not request your adviser to authorize a schedule which does not comply.
The Language Studies Department offers validation exams in Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish. Through these tests midshipmen can earn up to four semesters credit for college-level language courses. Validation permits midshipmen with foreign language experience to continue their studies at an advanced level, often leading to a minor.
For engineering and science majors, validation opens the door to advanced-level language courses which count toward humanities requirements and even a language minor. For majors in humanities and social sciences, validation frees up slots in the matrix and permits completion of the language minor early on.
Upper-level language courses are the key to studying abroad under the Language Studies Abroad Program. The opportunity to use and improve your language in the country where it is spoken–typically with some financial support from the fund–may be one of your most rewarding and memorable experiences at USNA.
Language skills will be increasingly vital to the Navy and Marine Corps of the 21st century. You will be able to draw on your knowledge of foreign languages and cultures while making port calls in other countries, escorting foreign visitors, and working or studying abroad. As an incentive to develop and maintain linguistic skills, both services offer Foreign Language Proficiency Pay; follow this link for details. Some US embassies offer internships for newly commissioned Ensigns with language skills, as well as naval attaché posts later in your career.
Frequently-Asked Questions About Language Validation