Asia-Pacific Language Studies

As a requirement for graduation from the master’s program, students will be asked to pass a language proficiency test in an Asia-Pacific language. You will not be allowed to graduate unless you have passed this test. The competency preparation program is placed under the supervision of the University Center for Asia-Pacific Language Studies.

The implementing guidelines for this program are as follows:

1. An Asia-Pacific language shall mean any language officially recognized and spoken in any of the APEC countries, with the exception of English and Philippine languages.

2. The Center shall define the proficiency standards for each language in consultation with competent language teaching institutes recognized by the respective APEC governments. In general, the proficiency standards for Chinese and Japanese shall be primarily in conversation (i.e. listening and speaking in general conversation). In other languages, proficiency standards shall be primarily in reading professional materials.

3. You may prepare for the test in any way you wish (e.g. private tutoring, taking classes in the University or outside of it, etc.).

4. You may take a proficiency test in any language institution recognized by the Center (i.e. Berlitz). The Center will specify the level to be passed in the test given by the language institution.

5. You may satisfy the language requirements at any time during the five years you spend in the University. Then you should take the proficiency tests in the languages the Center offers (see below); you are allowed to take re-tests as often as you want.

Courses and Tests with the University Center for Asia-Pacific Language Studies

1. The Center offers classes in those languages for which there is a sufficient number of interested students to make the course economically viable. For now, these languages may include Spanish, Chinese, Japanese and French.

2. If you have no background in the language you choose, it is estimated that you will meet the proficiency standards by taking four 3-unit courses through four semesters of course work (Beginners 1, Beginners 2, Intermediate 1 and Intermediate 2) taken one after the other. Asia-Pacific language courses are offered at least twice (preferably thrice) a week, before or after the schedule of the main bulk of University subjects.
3. While you are not yet with the Graduate Schools, the Center, in close collaboration with the Office of the Registrar, monitors your choice of APEC language and your movement towards defined proficiency levels. Through your coursework performance, you will be advised by the Center with regard to your preparation for the test.

APEC Language courses are considered non-academic subjects, and thus do not fall under the scope of the retention policy, nor are they included in the computation of your GWA or WA.