Foreign Language Overview

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When the world speaks, do you understand? As the world becomes smaller through improving communications systems and travel possibilities, the study of foreign languages takes on a new importance. And at Southern, foreign languages are taught as a basic communication skill. You will learn to read, speak, and write the languages, but communications skills require more. Mastery of a language requires an understanding of the culture, the history, the literature of the country, and that's what Southern provides.

In fact, we are working hard to improve and upgrade our own skills in helping you to learn a language. We are using more and more technology, developing tutorial systems, and increasing opportunities for the use of language. An International Language Resource Center provides laboratory and tutorial assistance.

Moreover, at Southern you will have a larger variety of languages from which to choose than you will at all but the largest universities. We currently offer Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish. Arabic and Latin have been taught and will be taught again, and we plan to add other languages in the future. Native speakers of the language are available to help you learn, and non-native speakers of the language are available to help you identify ways in which to learn.

We'll work with you to ease or alleviate language learning apprehension. We'll try to find the way you best learn (using the theory of multiple intelligences), and we'll try, as quickly as you're ready, to get you into a practical use of the language in a field of study in which you are most interested. (That's content-based instruction.)

Our programs are innovative and include the opportunity to study and travel abroad. Through the Institute of International Studies there are additional opportunities.

Training in foreign languages enables a student to prepare for employment in education, government, business, and industry. Foreign language study is essential for students in any major who may be contemplating graduate study. Knowledge of a foreign language is being sought by more and more employers in many sections of the United States.

Why study a foreign language? To communicate with the world!

Can I major in a foreign language?
Yes, you can. We offer a B.A. in French, German, and Spanish. We also offer a B.S.E. in French, German, and Spanish as a single teaching field or as one of two teaching fields.

The majors permit an in-depth study of the cultural heritages of various civilizations. It involves study in other departments--such courses as Intercultural Communication, International Business, International Relations, or any other approved upper-division course in an international field of study, including those in the International Studies core curriculum.

What do I need for the major?
We invite you to visit the following sites for the B.A. in French, German, and Spanish:

For the degrees in French, German, and Spanish education, you need to consult the most recent University catalog and check with the education adviser in the department. Education requirements change rapidly, but you can count on taking most all of the courses offered in the current catalog.

We invite you to visit the following sites for the B.S.E. in French, German, and Spanish:

  • Bachelor of Science in Education with a Major in French
  • Bachelor of Science in Education with a Major in German
  • Bachelor of Science in Education with a Major in Spanish

Can I minor in a foreign language?

Yes, you can. We offer minors in Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish. We plan to develop each language by adding courses, and opportunities to use the language, and we plan to add other languages.

What other languages can I study at Missouri Southern?

As mentioned earlier, Missouri Southern offers classes in Arabic and Latin (not regularly taught).

Missouri Southern has an international mission, and foreign languages are an essential aspect of that mission. As languages are de-emphasized at other colleges and universities, Missouri Southern is re-emphasizing them, and they are alive and thriving at Southern!

 

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3950 East Newman Road, Joplin, MO 64801-1595, Phone: (417)625-3108 - FAX: (417)625-9585

Comments? Questions? Email Pedro Talavera-Ibarra