Language Information

Georgetown University recognizes three functional levels of Language studies. Each level generally corresponds to a year's work in languages at most American colleges and universities.

Level I: Intensive Basic I and Introductory I & II. The student masters the phonological system and the major grammatical patterns in speaking and listening. In the Western languages the student also masters the writing system, but does not learn to write sophisticated compositions. Although cultural content is not the chief goal at this level, appropriate notes to clarify important cultural differences are introduced, as is appropriate vocabulary.

Level II: Intensive Basic II and Intermediate I & II. Various sequences and positional variants of the sound systems are mastered at this level, completing this phase of language learning. Minor patterns and exceptions and more complex constructions are mastered at this level also. No responsibility is assumed for systematic treatment of literary matters at this stage. Selected cultural topics are considered.

Level III: Intensive Advanced I & II, Intensive Intermediate I & II and Advanced I & II. Further Improvement in pronunciation is achieved at Level III, with emphasis on specific difficulties that each student may have. Reading and discussion of cultural matters and selected literary pieces with value as cultural content are read and discussed. Compositions may be written on these subjects.

Language Laboratory. The student is responsible for the same number of hours of laboratory practice as he/she has of class in the intensive language courses. Laboratory practice is also required in the non-intensive courses.