Programs
Get in Touch!
Ralf Bane
509-963-1218
wlang_dept@cwu.edu
French is the only language, besides English, that is considered a global language, meaning it is spoken throughout the world. It is the language spoken by the United States’ largest trading partner, Canada, and is the international language of cooking, fashion, architecture, and theater.
According to the Consulate General of France, an ability to speak French is an advantage on the international job market. France is the world’s fifth largest economy and number three destination for foreign investment.
France is the world’s number one tourist destination, attracting more than 70 million visitors each year. Being able to speak French makes a visit to Paris or the other regions of France much more enjoyable and rewarding. Ça te dit?
Ralf Bane
509-963-1218
WLang_Dept@cwu.edu
The focus of the Heritage Spanish major is to help Spanish speakers who communicate effectively in their home or community language, or who have lived in a Spanish-speaking country for an extended period of time, to more fully develop their Spanish language competency.
Studying Heritage Spanish offers native Spanish speakers, who would largely be considered bilingual, to gain greater mastery of the language both in oral and written form.
At CWU, the Heritage Spanish major is specifically designed for students who have a personal, familial, or community connection to Spanish to develop Spanish language proficiency. It provides students with an opportunity to build upon their existing linguistic and cultural knowledge.
Ralf Bane
509-963-1218
ralf.bane@cwu.edu
Japan is one of America’s most important trading partners and has had close economic and societal ties to the U.S. in the past half-century. Students interested in the Pacific Rim would benefit from understanding the language, culture and history of the home of Sony, Pokemon, Hello Kitty, and Toyota.
As the world becomes increasingly global, students proficient in Japanese will be well-positioned for positions in government, finance, tourism, translation, teaching, and international relations. CWU offers a BA and a minor in Japanese, as well as a BA in Japanese teaching.
Japan boasts one of the oldest and most culturally rich societies in the world. Studying Japanese at CWU offers opportunities to study abroad and learn more about the history, people, and culture of this fascinating country.
Ralf Bane
509-963-1218
ralf.bane@cwu.edu
Russia is a major player when it comes to the world stage. As a result, those who understand Russian and are knowledgeable about Russian history and culture are in high demand in a number of careers.
Students studying Russian can find careers in government, foreign service, military, journalism, international non-governmental organizations, business, education, and tourism.
CWU offers small, student-centered classes in Russian. Students study not only the Russian language but also the country’s rich culture, history, and society. Courses are collaborations with other departments that incorporate Russian film, literature, and politics.
Ralf Bane
509-963-1218
ralf.bane@cwu.edu
Around the world there are more than 400 million Spanish speakers. Learning to speak Spanish is the key to success in a wide variety of careers particularly in business, tourism, communication, medicine, and education.
As the Hispanic population in the U.S. has grown by 60 percent in the past decade, the need for employees fluent in Spanish has similarly increased. A degree in Spanish helps prepare students for jobs in teaching, as translators and interpreters, in government work and much more.
CWU students majoring in Spanish have excelled at presentations and conferences in the past year, including:
- Omar Manzo, a Douglas Honors College student majoring in Spanish and minoring in political science, presented research at the National Technology and Social Science Conference in Las Vegas.
- Yazmin Aquilar, Spanish and social services major, presented at a panel at the Students of Color Conference in Yakima.
Why world languages at CWU?
World Languages students gain hands-on experience in skills-based classes and programs built to enhance your language degree or minor.
CWU students have access to the Learning Resource Center, a free service that assists students in mastering a world language.
With this major you will learn to develop your language skills and fluency and communicate with a broader network—locally and internationally.
CWU students are encouraged to study abroad and or take part in the University Exchange program. Study Abroad programs include: Cultural Ambassador Program in Spain; Japan Exchange and Teaching Program; South and Central America Exchange; France University Exchange; and Russia Study Abroad
Graduates of Central's World Languages program find jobs as: Translators and Interpreters Ambassadors Foreign Service Officers International English Teachers Commodities Traders.
World languages students learn to improve their cultural knowledge and better understand the world and how we're all connected.
Connect with World Languages at CWU
Language Specializations
Experience World Languages at CWU
Points of Pride
World languages students have excellent opportunities for networking through a number of student organizations including: CWU Language and Cultural Clubs; Annual World Languages Day; Annual Students of Color Conference; and the Chavez-King Leadership Institute for Social Change.