Are you interested in studying French at UWinnipeg, but aren’t sure how your current language skills will translate at a post-secondary level? The University’s French Studies Program in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures has created a new placement test to help ensure student success.
This new French Placement Test will match incoming students with the appropriate courses for their linguistic skill-level. It is paired with a major restructuring of the department’s first-year language courses, which includes the replacement of several six-credit courses with five new three-credit courses that range from the true beginner level to the second-year level.
Professor Dr. Liliane Rodriguez has 30-years of experience teaching French at UWinnipeg to undergrad and graduate students from a variety of linguistic backgrounds. She says it can be difficult to assess ability the without a placement test.
“In the past few years, we have noticed that previous training did not always reflect the actual level of a student at time of registration,” Rodriguez said. “Some students complete immersion, or another French stream, with quite different grades, mature students who took French several years ago could not be directed automatically to one of the previous three courses, and the level of students from various institutions also varies.”
The goal of the test is to assess students’ competence and performance in French and is made up of 50 questions related to grammar, vocabulary, syntax, and reading comprehension.
The test is free of charge and accessible to all students admitted to UWinnipeg. It is available online 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week and must be completed prior to course registration.
Rodriguez says the test will make for more homogeneous classes for instructors; and will greatly diminish the risk of taking classes that are too easy or too difficult for students — leading to improved progress in linguistic training and student performance.
Follow this link for more information about the French Placement Test.
