Modern Languages
The Modern Languages Department is an integral part of the Liberal Arts Curriculum. Its principal objectives are to develop fluency in written and spoken language and to familiarize students with modern languages, literatures, and cultures. All courses are given in the target languages and offered in a variety of deliveries: in-person, online flex, hybrid and video conferencing. Languages currently offered:
- American Sign Language
- Arabic
- Cape Verdean Creole
- French
- Portuguese
- Spanish
View our Course Search for current semester offerings.
Placement and Prerequisites
If you are entering Massasoit and have previously studied any of the above languages, you may be eligible for a prerequisite waiver to enter into a second or third semester course. Generally, if you have mastered basic vocabulary (expressions of courtesy, numbers from 0-100, food, talking about home/school, hobbies, family), present tense verbs, and interrogative words, you would be eligible for a second semester course. On average, two years of high school study—unless at the AP level—equate one semester of a beginning language course at Massasoit. To obtain a waiver or request more information, please email rpeery@massasoit.edu
If you have significant knowledge of French, German, or Spanish from previous informal study (e.g., not documented on a college or high school transcript) or first language acquisition (heritage speaker), you may be eligible to forgo Modern Language study at Massasoit by taking a College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) exam.
College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
CLEP is a standardized, college credit-granting exam program maintained by The College Board..
- Program Information (PDF)
- CLEP Exams Accepted at Massasoit Community College
- Explanation of CLEP Scores (PDF)
French, German and Spanish CLEP tests are administered at Massasoit Community College.
- French Language: At a Glance (PDF)
- German Language: At a Glance (PDF)
- Spanish Language: At a Glance (PDF)