Although only two are required, the vast majority complete four years of study in one language and many begin a second language. It is also the goal of the department to provide students an opportunity to travel in the target country during their course of study. French-speaking students took an inaugural trip during the summer of 1997. The primary goal of the Foreign Languages curriculum is to help students develop proficiency skills in listening, reading and writing. The curriculum's purpose is to increase the student's knowledge and appreciation of diverse cultures of the countries whose languages they are learning.
Students understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics.
Students present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics. Gain Knowledge and Understanding of Other Cultures Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the practices and perspectives of the culture studied. Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the products and perspectives of the culture studied. Connect With Other Disciplines and Acquire Information Students reinforce and further their knowledge of other disciplines through the foreign language. Students acquire information and recognize the distinctive viewpoints that are only available through the foreign language and its cultures.