Language Programs & Placement Tests
A Placement Test is required before enrolling in a language course at UCSB for students who have previously taken language classes or have a background in the following East Asian Languages: Chinese, Japanese, or Korean. For students interested in taking Chinese, Japanese, or Korean language classes at UCSB, the placement tests are usually offered each quarter. Students new to Chinese, Japanese, or Korean do not need to take a Placement Test, they can register for first year classes offered every year in the Fall quarter.
Japanese Language Placement Test
If you have studied Japanese previously or speak it at home, you MUST take the placement test to take Japanese language courses at UCSB.
To sign up, please complete this information sheet . The Placement Test is conducted before each quarter.
The placement test consists of the two parts:
Part 1 on Canvas: 1) Conjugations (verbs, adjectives) 2) Kanji 3) writing (& reading)
Part 2 on Zoom: 4) Interview
< How to prepare for the Placement Test >
Review the materials (textbooks) of the course(s) you have taken before. We recommend to review verb and adjective conjugations as well as vocabulary and kanji. Please refer to the course description (Japanese Language Course Description ) for more information about the each level of our Japanese courses. If you have a certain course you wish to start, look at the description of the course prior to the placement test. A course description indicates what you are expected to be able to do to take the course you wish to take.
If you have any questions, please contact the Japanese Language Program Coordinator: Yoko Yamauchi 〈yokoy@eastasian.ucsb.edu〉
Chinese Language Placement Test for WINTER 2024
Students who have studied Chinese or speak it at home, MUST take the Placement Test in order to enroll in Chinese language classes at UCSB (except CHIN1 or CHIN 1NH).
The next Chinese Placement Test will be on Thursday, January 4, 2024
Please sign up for the test using this FORM
About the Chinese Placement Test
The Placement Test will be online and consists of two parts:
Part 1: listening, reading and typing (50 minutes) on GauchoSpace
Part 2: Interview (10 minutes) on Zoom
How to prepare for the Placement Test
Review the materials (textbooks) of the courses you have taken before.
We use the New Practical Chinese Reader 3rd Edition Book 1 and Book 2 for
First-year Chinese (CHIN 1-2-3) and second year Chinese (CHIN 4-5-6)
Note: CHIN 1NH-2NH-3NH-4NH-5NH are heritage tracks that are designed for
students who have a Chinese language background and speak Chinese at home.
If you have questions, please contact the Chinese Language Coordinator: Bella Chen at 〈bellachen@eastasian.ucsb.edu〉
Please Note: The Chinese Language Placement Tests are ONLY for students who plan to take a Chinese language course or need to be evaluated for the Chinese Major or Minor or the Asian Studies Major.
If you are not an EALCS Major or Minor – Please sign up for the CHINESE LANGUAGE EVALUATION for students who need to clear the Area B GE (3 quarters) or who need to clear several quarters of Chinese for their Majors and Minors. Please sign up for the CHINESE EVALUATION with this Form
KOREAN Language Placement Test
If you have questions, please contact the Korean Language Coordinator: Wona Lee at 〈wonalee@ucsb.edu〉
The next Korean Placement Test will be on Wednesday, February 8, 2023
To sign up please complete this form: Korean Placement Test Form
EALCS department Language Class Sequence for Chinese, Japanese, and Korean:
The East Asian Language courses are offered in an annual sequence. A typical schedule for the language courses for each quarter are listed below:
| Year: | Fall Quarter: | Winter Quarter: | Spring Quarter: |
| 1st year | CHIN 1/1NH, JAPAN 1, KOR 1 | CHIN 2/2NH, JAPAN 2, KOR2 | CHIN 3/3NH, JAPAN 3, KOR 3 |
| 2nd year | CHIN 4/4NH, JAPAN 4, KOR 4 | CHIN 5/5NH, JAPAN 5 | CHIN 6, JAPAN 6 |
| 3rd year | CHIN122A, JAPAN 120A | CHIN122B, JAPAN 120B | CHIN122C, JAPAN 120C |
Classical Chinese Placement Test for FALL 2022
Please email Prof. Thomas Mazanec (mazanec@ucsb.edu) to arrange a placement test for Classical Chinese. The test is offered once a year, during the first week of the quarter in which Chinese 101A is offered (Fall or Winter). will require you to produce an accurate English translation of the literal meaning of a brief Classical Chinese text. Consulting dictionaries and other resources is permitted. Email Prof. Mazanec for further details.
Contact
Please contact Alyson Alexander, EALCS Academic Advisor for questions and information.
E-mail: aalexander@hfa.ucsb.edu