World Languages and Cultures (ARB, FLN, FRN, GER, SPN, CHN, GRK, JPN, LAT, OJB, POR, RUS)

For information, please contact the chairperson, 989-774-3786, 305 Pearce Hall; www.chsbs.cmich.edu/FLLC/

Why Study World Languages and Cultures?

Students who want to develop skills in foreign language teaching, interpreting, and translating will pursue studies in this area. These studies are also for students who want to use language as an auxiliary skill. Wider employment opportunities are available for those who combine knowledge of a foreign language with majors such as: anthropology, broadcast and cinematic arts, business and administration, counselor education, journalism, library science, political science, social work, travel, tourism, and hospitality. Foreign languages should also be considered by students who plan on attending graduate or professional schools, entering the Foreign Services, those wishing to gain a greater understanding of their cultural heritage, and those who want to enrich their leisure time pursuits.

World Languages and Cultures at CMU

Students with no previous language experience in French, German, or Spanish should begin with a language course numbered 101. Students with previous language experience must take the placement exam. In each language the course sequence is 101, 102, 201, 202. If you have any questions regarding your placement, contact an advisor. Advisors are: for French: Brookes, Ennaïli, Ransom; for German: Jones, Lein, Richter; for Japanese: Richardson; for Spanish (Education): Knight, Murray, and Richardson; For Spanish (BA, BS): Chouza-Calo, Gutiérrez-Rivas, Hurtado, Jackson, Kulawik, Mendoza-Farías, Rengifo.

Study Abroad

Students can register at CMU to study abroad at the following institutions:

French - in Rennes at the University of Haute-Bretagne; in Angers at the Centre International d’Etudes Françaises; in Montpellier at the Institut des Langues Êtrangères; in Canada at the University of Quebec at Chicoutimi. CMU and the University of Quebec at Chicoutimi offer a joint scholarship of $600 for study during the five week immersion program. This grant is for majors or minors in French to study at UQAC.
German - one semester-long program with USAC in Lüneburg, Germany, for 12 credits in German. During the spring semester only students may study in Bielefeld, Germany for 12 credits of German with a stay in German host families. There are summer programs available with FUBiS in Berlin and at various Goethe Institutes throughout Germany. In addition, we offer three exchange scholarships to eligible majors in German for a year’s study at a German university. The scholarship includes tuition, room and board, and spending money for the entire year.
Japanese - in Hikone at the Japan Center for Michigan Universities, and in Nara at Nara University of Education.
Spanish - in Spain: the University of Alicante, Cursos Americanos e Internacionales (Segovia); in the Dominican Republic: ISA (Santiago); in Chile: the Pontificia Universidad Católica (Valparaíso); in México: ITESM (Querétaro); in Argentina: Universidad del Salvador, Universidad Torcuato di Tella, and the UADE (Buenos Aires); in Ecuador: the Universidad San Francisco de Quito; in Costa Rica: Conversa (Santa Ana); USAC - Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica (Heredia); Conversa (Santa Ana).
Arabic, Chinese, and Portuguese: Study abroad opportunities are also available for those studying Arabic, Chinese, or Portuguese.

Credit for courses abroad is arranged in consultation with advisors from the World Languages and Cultures faculty and the director of the Office of International Affairs. Guaranteed student loans, Pell grants and other financial aid plans are available for programs abroad.

The Faculty

N. Christine Brookes, María Chouza-Calo, Cynthia Davis, Leïla Ennaïli, Adrian Flores-Barrera, Carolina Gutierrez-Rivas, Luz Marcela Hurtado, Mary-Garland Jackson, James Jones, Susan Knight, Krzysztof Kulawik, Janet D. Lein, Roberto Mendoza-Farías, Lorrie Murray, Amy Ransom, Alejandra Rengifo, Norma H. Richardson, Daniela Richter, Daniela Teodorescu, Taryn Waters

The Programs

Undergraduate Certificate in Translation (English and Spanish)