International Plan

All International Plan students in the Foreign Language tract should get an early start on learning the language you have chosen. There is high demand for language classes at Georgia Tech, so please see how to register for language classes with permits to prioritize enrollment for IP students.

The International Plan (IP) Designation will set you apart from other applicants with recruiters and executives from top companies and governmental agencies since they know you have the global competency needed to compete in today's tough global market. Have a look at recent comments by top executives from Siemens, UPS, and YKK on recruiting graduates with international experience. In addition to being an option for IAML and GEML majors, the IP designation can be added on to your Engineering, Computing, Architecture, Science or Management degree just to name a few. See the Office of International Education (OIE) for details and to sign up for the plan.

Achieving Success

Recommended steps to complete the IAML/GEML (or other) International Plan degrees with advanced language skills. The required level you need to achieve in the Oral Proficiency Test is descibed here, along with the procedures you need to follow.

Begin study of the language of your choice plus general and major requirements right away:

• Complete two years (or equivalent) of your foreign language

• Complete a summer intensive LBAT program

• Study, work, and/or do a research project abroad during the fall and/or spring semester of your junior year. Check the definitions of the IP terms abroad.

• There are many ways to complete the requirements for the International Plan degree designation. See your advisor to find out the best way to design yours!

Although the School of Modern Languages can help you with some internships to Germany (Siemens), especially for the TU Munich/Siemens program, and some to Japan (Jetro), you will need to meet with the Work Abroad Office to discuss and prepare for these and other internships abroad.

IP students must demonstrate proficiency in the foreign language they choose. When you return from your experience abroad, schedule OPI Testing for the Oral Proficiency Interview. Only speaking will be tested during a telephone interview. See the SIL Web site for the ACTFL proficiency guidelines.

To set up your interview, contact the School of Modern Languages front desk at 404.894.7327. For an estimated prediction of how you will score based on how you prepare yourself, see the OPI placement chart page.

English Language Option

Students completing their study/work/research abroad in a country where English is the primary language spoken should note the following:

For students who choose the English option, the foreign language requirement is met when students complete or demonstrate the equivalence of completing 2002 or higher with a grade of B or better. This can be met by taking the classes at Tech or at another accredited college/university or by AP credit from high school with score of 4 or 5. Students who have taken a foreign language (French, German, Russian or Spanish, Japanese or Chinese ) in high school should take the Online Placement Test to determine the appropriate beginning level of language class students who place above 2002 have met the language requirement for the English option of the International Plan. Students can also meet the requirement by taking a proficiency test acceptable to ML (student must bear expense of test).

If GT does not offer a placement test in the language that the student wishes to use to fulfill this requirement (note: this refers only to English option students) and if the student believes that s/he already has a skill level equivalent to the 2002 level or higher, then the student must provide documentation of the language skill level. This documentation may be:

• A) an official transcript from another accredited U.S. university showing completion of courses through the 2002 level OR;

• B) a formal oral and written language evaluation by a professional instructor of the language