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; https://www.cmich.edu/colleges/class/WLC/Pages/default.aspx

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: Richter; for Japanese: Bronson; for Spanish (BA, BS): Chouza-Calo, Gutiérrez-Rivas, Hurtado, Kulawik, Mendoza-Farías, Rengifo.

Study Abroad

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

French in Aix-en-Provence, France at the Institut Américain Universitaire (IAU); in Pau, France with the University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC); in Chicoutimi, Québec at the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi.
German in Lüneburg, Germany with the University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC); in Berlin, Germany with FUBest; in Bochum, Germany at the Ruhruniversität; in Heidelberg, Germany at the CEPA. In addition, three year-long exchange scholarships for study in Germany are available to eligible German majors.
Japanese in Hikone at the Japan Center for Michigan Universities, and in Nara at Nara University of Education.
Spanish in Buenos Aires, Argentina at the ISA Universidad del Salvador, or API Universidad Torcuato di Tella; in Valparaiso, Chile at the Pontificia Universidad Católica; in Heredia, Costa Rica at the Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica; in La Habana, Cuba at the API Universidad de la Habana; in Santiago, Dominican Republic at the ISA Pontificia Universidad Católica; in Quito, Ecuador at the Universidad de San Francisco de Quito; in Querétaro, México at the ITESM Tecnólogico de Monterrey; in Pamplona, Spain at the Universidad de Navarra.
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 Global Engagement. 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, Adrián Flores-Barrera, Carolina Gutiérrez-Rivas, Luz Marcela Hurtado, Krzysztof Kulawik, Roberto Mendoza-Farías, Lorrie Murray, Amy Ransom, Alejandra Rengifo, Daniela Richter

The Programs

Undergraduate Certificate in Translation (English and Spanish)