FAQ about Five College Center for the Study of World Language Courses
How does a student register? All languages offered by the center require submission of a brief
application. Depending upon the language, students also either complete an online orientation
tutorial or schedule an interview/conversation about how the course will work. When students
are admitted, students sign a learning contract, receive a signed instructor permission form from
the center, and do a Five College request for the course through their campus online registration
system. (The campus for the request is UMass; the department is “Five College Center for the
Study of World Languages”. )
Application details are online here: https://www.fivecolleges.edu/fclang
When and where do sessions meet? Courses meet across all five campuses. For most courses,
students will submit schedule information after registering and will be assigned permanent
session times and locations that work with their schedules.
What is the course format? Five College Center for the Study of World Language courses are
offered using one-on-one tutorials and small group conversation sessions. The session formats
vary by language. Each course has an established syllabus; mentored courses also have detailed
study guides. Some students choose to work faster than the assigned syllabus in order to meet
personal goals. This is fine and can be discussed with the program director.
What if a student already has experience with the language to be studied? File an
application and the program director will be in touch to arrange for placement in an appropriate
course.
The online course catalog only shows lower-level courses in a certain language, do you offer
higher-level courses? For many languages, the center can arrange intermediate and advanced
courses on a case by case basis. Students who need something other than what is listed online
should contact center staff about options for their language. The earlier such contact is made, the
more likely we are to be able to arrange a course.
Is there a fee for taking these courses? Enrollment for these courses is covered by regular
tuition for all students in the consortium who are matriculated for a degree. There are no special
course fees. Students enroll in these courses in the same way as for other academic courses in the
Five College Consortium.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions or to refer students to me. My colleagues
Kyla Hakim and Rebecca Thomas are also available to help. You can reach us by phone at 413542-5264 or email at fclang@fivecolleges.edu.