HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELP!
I am a first year student and plan on majoring in sociology and French (leaning towards the language & linguistics programme). However, I have minimal knowledge of French and was placed in FSL121Y1 after taking the placement test. I logged into ROSI and attempted to enrol in the course but am on the waitlist. I was advised by the registrar that I should consider taking an equivalent course at Athabasca University. I do not want to study a language online, so I tried to get into a similar course at UTM, UTSC, Glendon, and Ryerson to no avail. Also, this course is usually not offered in the summer session and I cannot take this course in the 2nd year because it means I’ll be taking FSL22Y1 during 3rd year and will not be able to complete the program requirements by the time I graduate. What am I supposed to do?? Since FSL121Y1 does not count towards any French programme, can I study privately at another Alliance Francais or with a tutor and the retake the placement test or enrol in FSL22Y1 in second year? I don’t care about getting the credit for FSL121Y1; I only care about being prepared to take FSL221Y1 in 2nd year so I can complete the program by the end of 4th year.
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Hey there. Considering your situation, I think that taking a language placement class at the Alliance Francais (so conveniently close to campus!) is a swell idea. You will just have to make sure that it checks out alright with the French department, not your registrar. I understand that being on the waitlist has messed up your class schedule and plan for your studies. You can try to get into FSL 121Y1 after the first week of classes (when the waitlists are dropped), or you could try to do the course equivalent in person at the Alliance Francais. The only potential problem is that U of T will not accept your class there as a credit.
The website says this in regards to transfer credits from accrediated universities:
Students may receive transfer credits, by means of a request placed through their College Registrar, for language courses taken at any accredited or degree-granting university in Canada or abroad. In order to be recommended for transfer credits, students should arrange, before returning to Toronto, for the other university to send an official transcript of their results. The transcript should be sent directly to the address indicated on their Letter of Permission (if they have one) or to their College Registrar.
If your French improves thanks to your studies at the Alliance, it’s possible that you might get into FSL 221Y1 irregardless and not have to worry. But if you don’t pass the placement test and U of T doesn’t accept your Alliance year as a credit, you might have to end up taking FSL 121Y anyways.
I would talk to the French department before you decide what you are going to do. Maybe you will get into FSL 121Y anyways!
Bonne chance,
xoxo, Askastudent