WebCAPE Placement Test

The Role of Foreign Language in Enhancing Career Paths in the Twenty-First Century

Students in every chosen major can benefit professionally as well as financially by majoring in a foreign language or by adding a foreign language sequence or minor to their undergraduate degree (see especially our Certificate in Spanish for Professionals). Corporate and medical employers, for instance, need professionals who can think globally to meet the needs of clients and patients from all over the world. Those aspiring to enter the fields of legal studies, public or government service, or criminal justice will find extra salary incentives and early promotion opportunities available to those who can work knowledgeably and effectively in our multicultural nation. The study of foreign languages allows for a more sophisticated understanding of the country and world in which we live and work. Language study creates better informed citizens.

Foreign Language Placement

Any student may choose to enter a foreign language (FL) at the 1001-level at any time, and those with a language requirement prescribed in their major may use FL 1001 to satisfy that sequence. Students who have had a foreign language in high school will find FL 1001 repetitive and even perhaps without challenge because it will repeat introductory material that the student has already grasped.

Therefore, it is the expectation that those continuing in their language of choice from high school or those with prior language learning or heritage speakers will take the WebCAPE Placement test to determine the most accurate and comfortable level of foreign language at which to begin. Remember, the more foreign language you take, the greater the enhancement of your career prospects and language arts skills, even in English, because taking a foreign language also strengthens your writing and vocabulary skills in English.

Reasons to take the Placement Test early:

  • All BA degrees carry a foreign language requirement. It is best to take care of this requirement sooner rather than later so you are not worrying about the language requirement in your last semesters. This could endanger your likelihood of graduating in a timely manner.
  • By placing into the level appropriate to your abilities, you will avoid taking (and paying for) credits that are not necessary for you to enroll in should you decide to declare a major or minor in foreign languages.
  • If you think about foreign languages early in your time at VSU, you can maximize your electives to get a minor in a foreign language. A minor in a foreign language complements a major in any discipline, be it social sciences, natural sciences, business, medicine, law or humanities. And, a minor in a language will make you more competitive when you are looking for a job after graduation.

The WebCAPE Placement Test

This test is currently available for Chinese, French, German, Russian, and Spanish. It is offered online and may be taken at any computer with an internet connection, including your home computer. It is an adaptive test, meaning that the questions are staged to get progressively more difficult as you demonstrate various skills. It can take from five to twenty minutes to complete. Your results are given to you at the end of the test. At this point, you may simply print those results and bring them to your adviser to be used in determining your class schedule.

Take the WebCAPE

Students may take the exam from any computer with internet access and a browser. Each test takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. No outside materials may be used during the exam.

WebCAPE

Use the following password: blazers1

For placement in other languages, including Latin and Arabic, and for more information about the exciting service learning and extracurricular activities in foreign languages, please contact the Department of Modern and Classical Languages, at 229-333-5948 or email Ms. Samantha Powell at sjpowell@valdosta.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

What languages are the exams offered in?
Exams are available in French, German, Russian, and Spanish.

What if I have experience in French, German, Russian or Spanish?
Students who have prior knowledge of a language, but who do not have credit for Chinese/French/German/Russian/Spanish 1001 must take this test before registering for any course above the 1001 level.

Does this exam give me course credit?
No. No credit for language courses will be granted based on the results of this test. It is an exam for placement purposes only.

How can I get course credit?
Students may obtain course credit in French, German, or Spanish by taking the CLEP exam. This exam is administered by the Office of Testing.

How can I find out my placement in Japanese or Korean?
Take the SAT Subject Test in Japanese or Korean. If you score at least a 73% then contact vsoady@valdosta.edu for placement.

What if I have AP/IB credits?
Advanced Placement (AP), College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) tests are accepted at Valdosta State University. Official test scores and/or IB transcripts should be mailed directly to the Office of Admissions for review. A conversion table for College Board AP Test Scores is available.

How long is my score valid?
Your score will remain valid for one semester from the date of the exam. You may take the WebCAPE Test once per semester.

Where does my score place me?
FREN/GRMN/RUSS/SPAN 1001
FREN/GRMN/RUSS/SPAN 1002
FREN/GRMN/RUSS/SPAN 2001
FREN /GRMN/RUSS/SPAN 2002

What languages does Modern and Classical Languages offer?

  • Ancient Greek (as of Spring, 2016)
  • Arabic
  • French
  • German
  • Japanese
  • Latin
  • Russian
  • Spanish
  • Korean and Turkish are sometimes available through the Center for International Programs