Second Language

You have time to decide how you want to complete the 4-semester UHM Hawaiian/Second-Language requirement. There are some cool options Shidler offers (study abroad can be used to fulfill the entire language requirement! You could take courses taught in English about another culture to satisfy the requirement) that might be easier to discuss in person with an advisor, so it's fine to hold off a semester (or year!) on starting the HSL requirement if you're not sure.

Who might want to take a language class the first semester?

• If you took 3-5 years of the same language in high school and think you can complete the requirement by taking just one last course at Manoa (or maybe 2), you might take a language placement exam this summer, then hopefully place into and take that last (usually 202) level course this fall!

• If you are just passionate about a language---either one you've studied before and want to take several years of, have a specific country you want to work in after graduation and need to start/continue language classes so as not to lose tough with the language, or if you want to pursue an intensive language program like Korean Flagship or Chinese Flagship and have to start from beginner 1.

• If you are unsure you will stick with business. A number of UH majors require the 2-year language sequence. They do not accept culture classes as fulfilling the requirement as Shidler does, so if there's a decent chance you may study another subject at Manoa, you may want to stick with the language track.

Who may already have completed the language requirement:

• If you are a native speaker, there are ways many departments offer to test/place out of the language requirement

• if you have AP/IB language scores that cover you to at least to the 202 level (most languages are taught as a sequence that progresses from 101, 102, 201, to 202---and beyond in many cases!)