I am currently a student at community college and am transferring to Penn State Abington next semester. This semester I am enrolled in Spanish 101 and am about to drop it because I cannot keep up with the course and it is a 3 credit class while Penn State requires three semesters or 4 credit language classes, so the class I am taking now will not transfer regardless. I have concerns about these language requirements, as math and foreign language are huge weaknesses of mine. I had psychoeducational testing back in high school which cost thousands of dollars and was intended to get me extended time on tests. However, it did not test for specific learning disabilities. I now feel I really need to find out if I have a foreign language learning disability and get testing. However, when I contacted the disability office at my college they said they did not offer this type of testing and recommended some other colleges that did offer the testing. However, they all seem to cost money. I have been completely cut off from my family and have just enough money to scrape by. I cannot afford to spend anything extra for testing. So my questions are 1. Does Penn State offer this type of testing to its students or is there anywhere one can get it for free. 2. If I do get diagnosed with a foreign language learning disability, would I still have to take foreign language classes or would I be given the option to take an alternative class? I currently have extended time and a note taker. Would a disability in foreign languages give me any accommodations beyond these in a foreign language class?
You need to contact the Abington campus’ office of disability services, and ask them these things. ODS usually requires specific tests and specific reports on those tests, but they can make an appointment with you to do intake and discuss what you need, and what they need. Penn State does not do these tests, and will only recommend someone (or a list of someones) to try.
Foreign language is very difficult for many people with learning issues. You might consider taking an online class, which gives you more control over pacing and daily work. Your current class credits will transfer at least as general credits if you get…I want to say at least a C. But certainly dropping it is a choice. When you decided to go to Abington, what was your plan for overcoming the obstacles? Would a personal tutor help? A study group? ((hugs))
I am currently taking the class online. It Is super advanced and fast-paced for a 101 class. Taking it online was a huge mistake. I barely have the vocabulary down and we are on conjugations and verbs. Also, 70% of the grade is the midterm and final and I have yet to see a study guide, talk about pressure. There is about two hours worth of homework due every other day, and I cannot really pace myself along with three other classes, two of which are challenging four credit classes. I am super behind in the assignments and would much prefer a slow paced in person class with lots of repetition and fewer assignments. My biggest obstacle is getting the testing for free as I have no money to pay for it. I do not want these foreign language requirements which have nothing to do with my major or career goals to get in the way of my education and hurt my chances of getting into graduate school.
The way to phrase your request is “I would like to be tested for processing disorders and learning disabilities.”
To my knowledge, while there are several learning disorders / processing deficits that impact foreign language learning, there isn’t a learning disability that is specific to or only affects learning a foreign language.
IMHO, drop the online course if you can and find one to take in the classroom setting. Get as much tutoring in the language as you can, and set up conversation & study groups with your fellow students. For many students - including learning disabled students - this makes a huge difference.