Welcome to the Student Handbook Page

The Department offers Bachelor of Arts degrees. Specializations and minors are available in Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Russian and Spanish. Courses are also available in American Sign Language and Latin although there are currently no ASL or Latin majors or minors offered.

Students interested in certification to teach may take a major or minor in the target language(s). Course offerings provide (1) an introduction to the nature of the language as a facet of culture; (2) an acquaintance with the literature of the aforementioned languages; and (3) proficiency in speaking, comprehension, and writing. A fully equipped computer laboratory provides practice in skill building and proficiency through the use of language software programs.

For non-majors or minors, the first and second year sequences of any of our foreign languages are designed to provide basic proficiency in that language, and the values of a liberal education. Such proficiency, combined with some other special knowledge or skill, can also lead to many exciting vocational opportunities.

The Department recommends that all majors include some organized study in a foreign country where their major language is spoken. Interested students are reminded that there are various study-abroad programs administered by the Director of International Studies and Programs. Credit earned in programs abroad will normally count toward satisfaction of the major or minor requirements, but the student should see an advisor before enrolling in a foreign program.

Requirements for Admission to Major or Minor

1. Students planning to major or minor in a foreign language must consult with an advisor in the Foreign Languages Department for details of admission requirements, a student handbook, and an application.
2. Potential majors must have a grade point average of at least 3.0 in second year courses in the language.
3. Potential minors must have a grade point average of at least 2.5 in second year courses in the language.
4. Students must earn a minimum grade of C- in each course allowed toward fulfilling major and minor requirements.
5. The Foreign Languages Department reserves the right to modify these requirements as the needs of the Department change and any changes would supercede policies previously published in this handbook.

1. Write a letter of admission to the student.
2. Write a conditional letter of admission for students who have not completed second year.
3. Waive or allow challenge of second year requirement, when appropriate, for applicants who are native speakers, students with Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate placements, or students with extensive experience living abroad.
4. Assign a major/minor advisor.

Foreign Language Advisors

Bachelor of Arts Programs

The Programs Described in this section are for majors and minors in all languages except Spanish. Spanish Programs are described in the next section.

Only courses numbered 200 and above will count toward a major or minor. For students with sufficient preparation, the 200 level sequence may be challenged. Students pursuing either a Foreign Language Major, or a Foreign Language Teaching Major, in Chinese, French, German, Japanese or Russian, will be required to earn at least 10 transferable upper division credits, in a study abroad program where the courses are taught in the target language. Students planning to study abroad must see their advisor prior to departure to ensure the applicability of the proposed course of study. Any foreign language degree program with "Teaching" in the title is available ONLY to students who are also being certified to teach through the Department of Education.

The major described above requires a minor.

The major described above does not require a minor.

The major described above requires a minor and is designed for students planning to certify to teach. You must be certified to teach through the Department of Education in order to graduate with this major. We suggest that student teaching be done during Spring or Winter quarter of Senior year.

The major described above does not require a minor. You must be certified to teach through the Department of Education in order to graduate with this major.

Foreign Language Minors

Two different minors are available in Chinese, French, German, Japanese and Russian. Courses must be numbered 200 or above.

Spanish Bachelor of Arts Programs

The Programs Described in this section are for majors and minors in Spanish only. All other language programs are described in the previous section.

The major described above requires a minor.

The major described above does not require a minor.

The major described above requires a minor and is designed for students planning to certify to teach. You must be certified to teach through the Department of Education in order to graduate with this major. We suggest that student teaching be done during Spring or Winter quarter of Senior year.

The major described above does not require a minor. You must be certified to teach through the Department of Education in order to graduate with this major.

Spanish Minors

Courses must be numbered 200 or above.

Study Abroad Programs

As part of its emphasis on intercultural diversity and exchange, the Department of Foreign Languages, in conjunction with CWU's Office of International Studies and Programs, supports study abroad programs at over 100 sites throughout the world. Students may transfer international credit into Central's degree programs by taking approved courses at universities located in 43 countries, including China, Chile, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Russia and Spain.

For more information on these programs, contact the Office of International Studies and Programs 400 E. University Way Ellensburg, WA 98926-7408. Phone Number: (509) 963-3612.

Credit by Examination

Students may challenge any course in the catalogue listings for Foreign Languages provided certain extenuating circumstances apply, such as living abroad, previous study of the language when credit was not obtained, etc. Students wishing to obtain credit by course challenge will be subject to the following conditions:

• The circumstances should be discussed with the Major Advisor.
• A request for course challenge should be obtained from the Registrar's Office.
• The Department Chair's approval and signature must be obtained.
• The form is returned to the Registrar's office where a fee of $15.00 per credit with a minimum of $30.00 must be paid. The Registrar's office then returns the form to the Foreign Language Department.
• The Advisor will inform the student as to the way the credit can be granted. For one or more lower division courses, the student will be required to receive a grade of A or B in a class at a higher level than the one(s) being challenged. A challenge examination may also be required.
• When the requirements for acquiring the credit have been completed, the Advisor (or the Faculty member administering the exam) and the Department Chair will sign the form, thereby approving the granting of the credit, and send it to the Registrar's Office.
• Not normally approved are requests for challenge at the upper division level in literature classes and requests from native speakers educated abroad for credit at the first and second year levels. Such requests are handled on an individual basis through consultation between the student, the Department Chair, the Major Advisor and/or other faculty members.

Intended Student Outcomes for Foreign Language Majors

Each of the following statements relates to the target language or to the country or countries in which it is spoken.

Oral/Aural fluency.

The student should be able to:

• comprehend the language in a variety of settings
• communicate in a variety of situations
• discuss a variety of topics
• interpret and translate in a variety of situations
• acquire a theoretical and practical knowledge of phonetics

Writing abilities.

The student should be able to:

• write directions and basic instructions on non-technical areas
• write and edit compositions on diverse topics
• translate non-technical documents or letters
• write a basic research paper

Study abroad.

The student is encouraged to:

• earn a minimum of 10 credits in residence in a country where the target language is the primary language

Knowledge of literature and culture.

The student should have:

• general knowledge of the history and major literary trends
• critical reading experience with the literature
• familiarity with techniques of literary analysis and basic principles of scholarly research in literature
• general knowledge of civilization and culture including history, arts, popular culture, customs, and lifestyle

Knowledge of applied linguistics.

Teaching majors should have:

• a theoretical and practical foundation in both foreign language acquisition and instruction

Scholarships, Awards and Honors

Scholarships & Awards

In addition to the Financial Aid that the university makes available to qualified students, the FL department offers two cash scholarships to students majoring in FL every year. Beginning in 1997, the $1000 Schliesman scholarship is awarded every year in memory of Jean Schliesman, departmental secretary for many years. As of 2004, the $1000 Tolman Scholarship was created by Dr. Rosco Tolman, a long-time Spanish professor at CWU. This scholarship is designed especially to aid a student with the expenses associated with study abroad. Also, the Foreign Language Faculty Scholarship, consisting of money donated by the FL faculty and varying in amount, is also awarded each year. There are other scholarships offered by sources inside and outside CWU for which FL majors qualify. Consult with your adviser or with the Office of Financial Aid for more information.

More information on Scholarships can be found here.

Departmental Honors Program

1. Admission to the Program:
Student must be a Foreign Language major, at least a junior but no more than a first quarter senior, have a GPA of 3.5 in the foreign language in question andhere.

Beginning in the Fall Quarter of 2000, students can sign up for assignment to Meisner Hall with other students who have an interest in foreign languages. These students and specially assigned assistants will participate in a variety of activities and programs in conjunction with members of the foreign language faculty. This residence hall assignment is open to anyone wishing to become involved in foreign language programs outside the classroom. Contact Residential Services (1-888-CWU-HOME or (509) 963-1831 or by email housing@cwu.edu) for more information.

Ask your Foreign Language advisor or other faculty member about opportunities to participate in organizations and activities in your areas of interest.

Career Opportunities in Foreign Languages

Teaching

Traditionally, many Foreign Language majors pursue careers in teaching.

• If you are planning to teach a language at the elementary or secondary level you will have to include the courses required for a Teaching Certificate. You must plan your classes in Education and FL carefully and with plenty of time. You will have an advisor in the Education department and another in the FL department.
• If your goal is to teach at a Community College, College or University, you do not need to take the courses required for a Teaching Certificate but you should plan to go on for a Master's and a Doctoral degree in FL.
• There are other teaching opportunities that relate to FL training: TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language), and Bilingual Education.

Other Careers

There are many other careers that require or strongly recommend a level of fluency in one or more languages. For that reason, many students with majors in other academic areas decide to take another major or to acquire fluency in a FL. Students graduating with this type of training have a definite edge in the job market. Some of the career areas where FL is needed or recommended are:

• International Business, Industry and Commerce
• Government and International Organizations
• Library Science
• Retail Business
• Law & Law Enforcement
• Media
• Travel & Tourism
• Social & Medical Services
• Interpreting & Translating