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Indiana University Bloomington
Images of China, Japan, Korea

EALC Language Programs

EALC offers serious and sustained training in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. Carefully articulated four-year sequences of language study are offered in the three East Asian languages and the emphasis is on developing students' proficiency in all four skills. Advanced three-credit fourth-year course in each language is usually taught by one instructor; however, the first through third-year courses meet five days a week, team-taught by faculty and Associated Instructors well versed in language pedagogy. These team taught classes help students absorb key concepts and internalize the target language. They are worth 4 credit hours per semester.

Special Credit

If you are a US citizen, or graduated from a US high school, and you tested out of some semesters of Chinese, Japanese or Korean, you may be eligible for special credit based on your test results.

Minimum Grades

Students wanting to proceed to the next level of an East Asian language must earn a minimum grade of C in their current course. Any student earning a grade less than C and registering for the next semester of an East Asian language will be dropped from the class.

Placement Exams

Placement exams are required for students with any prior exposure to the language either at home or through overseas experience. Only absolute beginners may place themselves. The exams are typically offered during the week before the fall and spring semester start.

Reading Proficiency for graduate students

The main purpose of the reading proficiency requirement is to demonstrate that the student will be able to use primary sources written in their chosen language to conduct research in his or her field.