Language Preparation Programme

courses

First year students who do not have prior knowledge of French, German, Korean or Spanish but are interested to go on the Student Exchange Programme ("SEP")* to Austria, France, German, South Korea, Spain or Switzerland, are encouraged to apply for the Language Preparation Programme. Students in the Language Preparation Programme ("LPP") are guaranteed four semesters of language courses in their particular language (French, German Korean, Spanish) at the Centre for Language Studies and are also eligible to apply for language immersion awards during the summer between their first and second years. LPP students can go for SEP* in the country where their LPP language is spoken to put their language skills to use.

* Student Exchange Programme (SEP) will be subject to travel restrictions and NUS decision on outbound exchange

Application

Lecture group selection for students taking LAF3201, LAG3201 and LAK3201 will commence on 27 June 2024 (9.00am) to 8 July 2024 (11.59pm).

Registration for Language Preparation Program (LPP) for Freshmen students enrolling in LAF1201, LAG1201, LAK1201, LAS1201 will commence on 27 June 2024 (9.00am) to 8 July 2024 (11.59pm).

Briefing

If you have queries on Language Preparation Programme, contact us at lppenquiry@nus.edu.sg

If you have queries on Student Exchange Programme, contact Global Relations Office at https://nus.edu.sg/gro/contact .

Programme Details

The French, German, Korean & Spanish Language Preparation Programme ("LPP") is designed to prepare students for the Student Exchange Programme ("SEP") in French, German, Korean and Spanish-speaking countries such as Austria, France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland and South Korea.

Outline of Programme for French, German, Korean and Spanish Languages

Time Period

French

German

Korean

Spanish (Applicable from AY24/25, Sem 1)

Year 1

Semester 1

LAF1201
French 1

LAG1201
German 1

LAK 1201
Korean 1

LAS 1201
Spanish 1

Semester 2

LAF2201
French 2

LAG2201
German 2

LAK 2201
Korean 2

LAS 2201
Spanish 2

Term Break

Language Immersion* in France or Switzerland

Language Immersion* in Germany

Language Immersion* in South Korea

Language Immersion* in Spain

Year 2

Semester 1

LAF3201
French 3

LAG3201
German 3

LAK 3201
Korean 3

LAS 3201
Spanish 3

Semester 2

LAF3202**
French 4

LAG3202**
German 4

LAK 3202**
Korean 4

LAS 3202**
Spanish 4

Year 3

Semester 1 and/or Semester 2

SEP in France or Switzerland

SEP in Austria, Germany or Switzerland

SEP in South Korea

SEP in Spain

*Optional
**The above structure is applicable to cohort AY2017-2018 onwards.

LPP Language Courses

Since the LPP is only for students without prior knowledge of the language, all LPP students take the same series of classes in their first two years at NUS.

For the French/German/Korean/Spanish languages, each language course comprises 52 contact hours per semester. There will be 2 lectures weekly (2 hours per session). Class attendance is compulsory and no additional tuition fee will be charged for these courses, which will be taught by the NUS Centre for Language Studies (CLS).

For further information, please refer to the list of language courses.

Optional Language Immersion

The language immersion during the term break between the first and second year is not compulsory but students are highly encouraged to apply to further develop their language skills outside of a classroom setting. Students in the LPP may apply for the French Language Immersion Award or German Language Immersion Award administered by the Centre for Language Studies. Those who do not receive these awards can still participate in the CLS Language Immersion Programme on a self-financing basis.

Language Study without SEP

Students who are merely interested in learning French, German, Korean or Spanish but who have no intention of going to Austria, France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland or South Korea for SEP should NOT apply for this programme. You should instead register separately for French, German, Korean or Spanish as a course when you matriculate in NUS.

Language Study without LPP

Students who do have prior knowledge of French, German, Korean or Spanish are still eligible for SEP to countries where this language is spoken and are still eligible to apply for language courses at CLS. These students must take a placement test according to the details found here.

Terms and Conditions

  1. Students registered in the respective LPPs are encouraged to go for SEP in the countries as specified in the table below.

    Language Spoken Countries
    French France and Switzerland
    German Austria, Germany and Switzerland
    Korean South Korea
    Spanish Spain
  2. Students must obtain at least a "C" or "S" grade in their language course in order to be pre-allocated the next course. Those who fail to achieve the minimum grade will not be allowed to remain in the LPP..
    Students are advised to refer to their respective Home Faculty's website on the eligibility of the S/U option for language courses.
  3. Participating in the LPP does not guarantee students an SEP placement. LPP students are still expected to apply and compete for SEP as per the normal application process.

Eligibility

  1. The French, German, Korean and Spanish LPP is open to all first year students preparing for SEP in Austria, France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland or South Korea. Please note that due to certain restrictions in programme structure, students enrolling in the following faculties and/or departments are not eligible for participation in the French, German, Korean and Spanish LPP:
    - Law, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Nursing and Medicine faculties.
  2. Applicants must have good "A" level (or equivalent) results and CCA records.
  3. Applicants should have NO prior knowledge of the language they intend to study.
  4. Students with prior knowledge of French but who are interested to go on SEP in a German-speaking country are eligible for the German LPP; the converse applies for students who have prior knowledge of German but who are interested to go on SEP in a French-speaking country.

For additional information or related queries, please click here

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