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World Languages

 

image of globe held in two hands

Learning a new language can open doors—to your next career, to a previously unknown part of your community, and to the world. Montgomery College’s world languages program gives students the skills they need to succeed in an increasingly globalized world. Language study not only develops your oral and written communication skills, it also offers opportunities to think critically and analyze cultural products and practices that might differ from your own. Our courses teach students linguistic and sociolinguistic skills that enable them to connect with different speakers, cultures, and communities, both locally and globally.

We offer a wide variety of courses and levels so that we can meet you where you are on your language-learning journey. MC offers courses in American Sign Language, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. 

Additionally, the majority of our language courses fulfill the Global and Cultural Perspectives course requirement and a General Education Humanities Distribution requirement (HUMD), a General Education Institutional Requirement (GEIR) or a General Education Electives requirement (GEEL). We offer face-to-face, online, and blended classes, in addition to accelerated courses and honors modules.

World Languages Degrees

World Languages Courses

MC offers world language courses in American Sign Language , Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.

All students should review the advising sheet and consult an advisor. Most courses have either assessment levels that must be met or prerequisites (courses that must be taken first). Part-time students and those who need to meet assessment levels or take prerequisite courses will take longer to complete a degree. An advisor will help make sure you are taking your courses in the right order. 

All degree-seeking students must take a central group of General Education courses in English, mathematics, arts, behavioral and social sciences, humanities, and science. 

Language Placement Testing

Placement testing in French and Spanish is available for all three campuses online. Chinese, German, Italian, and Russian placement tests are available for Rockville Campus students. The online placement tests ensure that students will enroll in the course that best suits their level of ability. 

The WebCAPE Foreign Language Placement Exam may be accessed from any computer with an internet connection. Click on the link for your campus below and follow the directions. You will be prompted to select a language and complete a short informational survey before starting the test. 

Rockville Campus WebCAPEnew window: Create an account and complete the exam. 

Germantown Campus WebCAPEnew window: Create an account and complete the exam. 

  • If you are currently an MC student, you will need to enter your M Number. 
  • If you are not currently an MC student, please enter the following as your ID: Non-MC. 
  • Any student placing higher than the 101, 103, and 106 levels should contact the department office with questions. 
  • Please contact the campus contact listed if you are not currently a Montgomery College student.   
  • Placement exam results are valid for six months. The Department of World Languages and Philosophy reserves the right to make the final decisions about placement.


Related Programs and Courses

General Studies Degree

The Humanities, Arts, Communication and Languages General Studies Degree Core allows students to begin study in the World Languages.

Workforce Development and Continuing Education

MC offers a wide variety of noncredit classes designed to help you upgrade your skills, pursue career training, or learn something new.