World Languages and Cultures

Return to: College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department Head: David Richter
Location: Main 202H
Phone: (435) 797-9167 or (435) 797-3910
FAX: (435) 797-4050
E-mail: david.richter@usu.edu
WWW: lpcs.usu.edu

Associate Department Head: TBD

Department Section Coordinators:

Chinese:
Ko-Yin Sung, Main 002C, (435) 797-9182, koyin.sung@usu.edu

French:
Sarah Gordon, Main 002L, (435) 797-8213, sarah.gordon@usu.edu

German:
Doris McGonagill, Main 341D, (435) 797-9182, doris.mcgonagill@usu.edu

Intensive English Language Institute:
Marta Halaczkiewicz, Director, Main 069C, (435) 797-2059, marta.hala@usu.edu

Japanese:
Atsuko O. Neely, Main 306, (435) 797-1365, atsuko.neely@usu.edu

Master of Second Language Teaching (MSLT):
Co-Directors:
Abdulkafi Albirini, Main 202H, (435) 797-8630, abdulkafi.albirini@usu.edu
Joshua Thoms, Main 202J, (435) 797-9065, joshua.thoms@usu.edu

Portuguese:
Cacilda Rego, Main 002E, (435) 797-7102, cacilda.rego@usu.edu

Spanish:
David Richter, Main 202H, (435) 797-9167, david.richter@usu.edu

Degrees offered: Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Asian Studies, Chinese, French, French Teaching, German, German Teaching, Portuguese, Spanish, Spanish Teaching, Master of Second Language Teaching (MSLT).

Full details of the learning objectives, assessment plan, student outcomes, and evidence of continuous improvement for these programs of study can be found at lpcs.usu.edu/about/assessment/index.

Programs

Mission Statement

The Department of World Languages and Cultures offers programs in modern languages and literature, and intensive English education. The mission of the department is to explore thought, expression, and values in a global context. Thus, the department plays an important role in the “internationalization” of the university. The department seeks to increase its students’ abilities to communicate with others, to critically and sensitively investigate multiple means of understanding the human experience. The department helps students achieve the language and cultural proficiency necessary to become active members of the global community. By doing so, the department prepares its students to meet both career and life goals.

The undergraduate language programs help students develop a greater knowledge about and love of specific world languages. These programs encourage students to be responsible members of the global community by increasing their understanding of the literature, culture, and history of the people who share these diverse languages. There are specific programs available for students interested in language teaching careers. The language majors and minors provide background for success in a wide variety of careers.

The Master of Second Language Teaching (MSLT) program is an innovative program with a multi-disciplinary approach to culture, language, literacy, and pedagogy. Students choose their own areas of focus depending on their language specialty and career objectives. The department’s mission is to prepare students to be effective cross-cultural communicators and language teachers in a wide variety of professional settings.

The majors in the department are: Asian Studies (BA), Chinese (BA), French (BA), French with Teaching Emphasis (BA), German (BA), German with Teaching Emphasis (BA), Portuguese (BA), Spanish (BA), Spanish with Teaching Emphasis (BA), Second Language Teaching (MSLT).

The minors in the department are: Arabic Studies, Asian Studies, Chinese, Chinese with Teaching Emphasis, French, French with Teaching Emphasis, German, German with Teaching Emphasis, Japanese, Linguistics, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Spanish with Teaching Emphasis.

Courses offered by the department provide majors and minors with opportunities to achieve this understanding by increasing their communicative, interpretive, linguistic and research skills; their ability to function within an increasingly globalized society; and their awareness of ethical, aesthetic, and other values. Courses offered by the department also give students in the teaching emphasis and teaching minors the opportunity to serve the needs of the education professions.

The department furthers the education of both traditional and nontraditional students through faculty participation in interdisciplinary programs such as Honors, Latin American Studies, Medieval and Early Modern Studies, Asian Studies, and Women and Gender Studies; and in cooperative education, distance learning, extension, and study-abroad programs.

Admission Requirements

Admissions requirements for freshmen desiring entrance to major programs offered by the Department of World Languages and Cultures are the same as those for Utah State University. Transfer students from other institutions and from other majors within Utah State University must have an overall minimum GPA of 2.5 to be admitted to the department’s major programs, except the Spanish and Spanish with Teaching Emphasis programs, which require a 3.00 GPA.

All students majoring in programs offered by this department must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 in their major (3.0 in Spanish) to be in good standing in the department and to obtain official approval for graduation.

Career Information

For career and graduate school information, students should contact undergraduate advisors in the department.

Scholarship Information

The following are scholarships offered through the Department of World Languages and Cultures.

Carl T. Degener Memorial Scholarship is awarded to an outstanding language major at the junior level.
The Edgar R. Lewandowski Memorial Scholarship Endowment is awarded to a major in German with a demonstrated financial need. Preferential consideration will be given to students from Logan High or another Cache Valley high school.
Gene W. and Ruth Miller Family Scholarship is for an academic major in languages.
Jaime Cantarovici Memorial Scholarship is awarded to an outstanding undergraduate senior majoring in Spanish.
Jean Inness Scholarship is awarded to outstanding upper-division student in French (and under some circumstances Spanish).
Thain Scholarship is given to an outstanding high school senior enrolling in a language or philosophy course at USU.

The Mehdi Heravi Middle East Scholarship Endowment is used to support scholarships for students studying Middle Eastern languages. Qualifying languages, in order of the donor’s priority, are Farsi (Persian), Arabic and then Turkish.  

University Honors Program

The University Honors Program offers students in all colleges and majors the unique opportunity to deepen their educational experience with hands-on practical applications of their academic knowledge. The Honors Program admits incoming, transfer, and existing USU students based on application. High achieving students with at least one year remaining are encouraged to apply.  See the University Honors Program catalog entry and website (honors.usu.edu) for more information.

Additional Information

For detailed information about requirements for majors and minors within the World Languages and Cultures Department, see the major requirement sheets, which are available from the department.

Languages

Language Program Learning Objectives

The learning objectives for the various language programs reflects the ACTFL Standards of Foreign Language Learning (i.e., the 5 C’s: Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, Communities) in the classroom.

1. Students will be proficient in speaking, listening, reading, and writing in their language of study.
2. Students will be able to interpret a variety of cultural products (texts, films, music, art, photography, etc.).
3. Students will be exposed to methods of inquiry and research appropriate to the humanities.
4. To prepare students for a broad selection of professional activities appropriate to the 21st century job market in which knowledge of a foreign language is important, including primary/secondary language instruction, as well as graduate or other professional studies. 
5. The students with modern language teaching majors and minors will be able to apply theories and research about second language learning and current teaching methodologies that promote communicative competence to practical language teaching situations

Language faculty members in the Department of World Languages and Cultures teach courses leading to undergraduate degrees in Asian Studies, Chinese, French, German, Portuguese and Spanish, as well as to undergraduate minors in Arabic Studies, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. Teaching emphases and minors are also offered in Chinese, French, German, and Spanish. The department also offers a minor program in Linguistics. Other languages taught through the department include Arabic (with on-campus classes), as well as Korean. Italian is taught through Distance Education (see http://distance.usu.edu).

Sample Four-year Plans

Sample semester-by-semester four-year plans for students working toward a Bachelor of Arts degree in French, German, or Spanish can be found in the department. Students should consult with the academic advisor to develop a plan of study tailored to their individual needs and interests.

Proficiency Tests, Placement in Language Courses, and Obtaining Credit by Special Examination

Students who have completed one or more years of language study in French, German, Russian, or Spanish may take the CAPE proficiency tests offered by the Department of World Languages and Cultures to determine proximate placement in language courses. After taking the test and if they are a currently enrolled USU student, French, German, Russian, and Spanish testers have the option of buying 4-16 language credits and may get help with authorization and placement in a language course.

(Note: In order to purchase these language credits, a student must be an active student, have a USU “A” number, and be a current student enrolled in one or more courses at Utah State University.)

Students with skills beyond the basic level in Chinese or Japanese should take a departmental placement test for those languages. If someone taking these tests places at a 3000 proficiency level, they still need to take the 3010/3020 course in the language. After they complete the class with at least an A or B, they can purchase lower-division Chinese or Japanese credits that aren’t showing on their transcript as classes. Students who are placed at the 1000 or 2000 proficiency level after testing must also take one 4-5 credit course that they place into. If that student gets at least an “A” or “B” range grade in that course, then they can come to the LPCS office and get a form to purchase the lower-division credits. The Chinese or Japanese class needs to be at a higher level than the credits to be acquired.

Students with skills beyond the basic level in Portuguese, Italian, or Korean need to contact the departmental office to obtain authorization and help getting into the Portuguese, Italian, or Korean course available. Portuguese and Korean are available as regular classes. Italian is available as a Distance Education class. After taking the higher-level class that is available and getting an A or B in that class, students can purchase 4-16 lower-division credits in Portuguese and Italian. With Korean, students can purchase 5-20 lower-division credits. These credits are a grade for each class and will affect the overall GPA.

The testing credits will not count toward a certain semester or the institution GPA, but will be counted into the overall GPA. For further details, students should email the department at lpsc@usu.edu or call (435) 797-1209.

Students who are proficient in a language not offered at USU (the list is available in Main 204) may receive up to 16 semester credits by taking the FLATS foreign language proficiency test. Students will need to have the USU language department proctor this test for them. There is a $25 proctor fee. Students interested in taking this test should register online at flats.byu.edu/. Before registering, students will pay online for the $50 FLATS test fee. Students will also need to provide the USU proctor information and where to have the test results sent to. This information may be obtained at Main 204, 435-797-1209 or lpcs@usu.edu.

(Note: In order to purchase these language credits, a student must have a USU “A” number and be a current student enrolled in and attending one or more courses at Utah State University.)

Technology Assisted Language Center

The department operates a technology assisted language center, located in Main 004, for instructional use associated with language classes, and for students desiring additional language practice outside of the classroom. The center includes computer workstations capable of running multimedia applications, as well as audio equipment.

Exchange Programs, Semester Abroad Programs, and Summer Study Abroad Programs

The World Languages and Cultures Department assists students with academic advising for study abroad exchange programs, semester abroad programs, and summer study abroad programs. Students must be in good standing at the university, and it is recommended that the students have some language preparation in order to participate in these programs. Students desiring to count study abroad credits toward a major or minor in this department must obtain approval for these courses prior to their participation in the study abroad program. For more information, contact the departmental office at (435) 797-1211 or visit the Department Study Abroad Programs website at lpcs.usu.edu/programs/languages/study-abroad/index.

For other study abroad program information, contact the USU Study Abroad Office, Taggart Student Center 311, or visit the Study Abroad Programs website at: http://www.usu.edu/studyabroad/.

National Honor Societies

Sigma Delta Pi (SDP) is the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese for students studying Spanish. Among the goals of SDP are to honor those who attain excellence in the study of the Spanish language and of the literature and culture of the Spanish-speaking peoples, and to encourage college and university students to acquire a greater interest in and a deeper understanding of Hispanic culture.

Phi Sigma Iota (PSI) is an international language honor society for juniors, seniors, and graduate students who excel in foreign language. PSI promotes international communication and understanding, as well as a sentiment of unity among nations. Phi Sigma Iota helps members further their training through scholarship and graduation honors. The society also promotes trips abroad.

Intensive English Language Institute

Objectives

The Intensive English Language Institute (IELI) is an academic program contained in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the World Languages and Cultures Department. IELI teaches international students, residents, and refugees the English skills and cultural knowledge they need to be successful university students. IELI also trains international teaching assistants (ITAs) for USU. Information about the ITA training is available through the School of Graduate Studies.

The IELI program accepts students seeking a degree at Utah State University, as well as students who want to study English for personal or professional reasons. Students may enroll to study only English.

To be admitted to USU as an undergraduate, international applicants must present:

• a TOEFL score of 71 iBT (internet-based test) or 525 paper/pencil test, or
• an IELTS score of 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.0 on each subscale)

To be admitted to USU as a graduate student, international applicants must present:

• a TOEFL score of 79-80 iBT (internet-based test) or 550 paper-pencil test
• an IELTS score of 6.0

International applicants with less than the above scores on either the TOEFL or IELTS, or not presenting TOEFL or IELTS scores, must take the IELI Placement Test, given at the beginning of each semester (fall, spring, and summer), or be exempted from study in IELI and permitted to take classes in their major fields.

U.S. residents must present an SAT score or an ACT score for admission to USU. Residents who are still learning English and who do not have an ACT score of at least 17-22 (or a SAT score of at least 900-1100) may be admitted to USU on a provisional basis if they have graduated from a U.S. high school with a GPA of a least 2.5. They may take the IELI Placement Test and study in IELI until they have successfully completed the program, after which they may be eligible to continue in an academic major.

Curriculum

Four levels of study are offered each semester. The ability levels of classes range from high-beginning through advanced. Students entering IELI must have a basic knowledge of English in listening, speaking, reading and writing. Several of the level 1 and 2 classes are combined into multilevel classes. Classes focus on listening, speaking, reading, writing, and cultural skills. In addition, there are topics courses, covering topics ranging from current events and the environment to academic literacy and the cultures of the U.S. Students must complete one topics course for every level they study in the IELI program.

Students advance from one level of a class to the next higher level by obtaining a grade of C- or higher in the lower-level class. Students who do not obtain a C- or higher in a class must repeat the class. Students who complete all level 4 classes with a C- or higher may begin taking courses outside of IELI. Students at level 4, who have less than a full course load remaining in IELI, must take other university credits sufficient to stay in status with visa requirements. Exceptions to this policy must be approved by the director of IELI in consultation with students’ major field advisors and the Office of International Students and Scholars.

Credit for Intensive English Study

Classes in IELI carry academic credit. Full-time students at each level take 18 credits per semester. A student who begins IELI at level 1 and progresses to level 4 may earn a total of 72 undergraduate elective credits. While all the credits will appear on a student’s transcript, a maximum of 18 can be counted toward graduation. Application of the 18 credits will be determined by the student’s college and major department. Students must, therefore, meet with their departmental advisors to determine the role of IELI credits in their graduation requirements. IELI 2470  and IELI 2475  count toward the General Education Breadth Social Science (BSS) requirement. 

Services

New students in IELI take the Placement Examination and attend an orientation meeting prior to the beginning of each semester. All students are assigned an advisor in IELI who helps them with various difficulties they may encounter. In addition, all the services and privileges offered to students on campus are available to IELI students. These services include healthcare, clubs, recreational opportunities, and numerous special programs for international students.

FACULTY - College of Humanities and Social Sciences   

Return to: College of Humanities and Social Sciences