Here’s how to fit foreign language courses into your schedule:
Take advantage of the Foreign Language Fluency Track. This new program lets you choose a foreign language class to fulfill some of your General Education Requirements (GERs). It helps you build the skills and perspective you need to become a leader in the global community.
Are you eligible?
If you’ve taken two to four years of a foreign language in high school, or the first year of a foreign language at a community college, you may be eligible to participate by enrolling in a second year of the same language at Washington State University.
What does the Foreign Language Fluency Track involve?
- First, you complete the second year of a foreign language (a 203- or 204-level course) at Washington State University.
- Then, you spend a summer studying abroad. Live and learn in a country where the language you’re studying is spoken, earning three to six credit hours toward other program requirements. You would need to take one or two courses with at least 45 contact hours each.
- The first of the study abroad courses must focus on the culture of the host country or the larger language community and ideally would be taught in the language studied (although study in English is acceptable).
- The second course (optional) could be used to fulfill any other degree requirement and could be taught either in the foreign language or in English. For example, it could be a GER, business, math, science, or engineering course. The course you take should be pre-approved by your advisor to make sure that it will satisfy one of your program requirements.
What are the benefits?
- You earn GER credit. When you successfully complete the year of study, you’ll earn six credits to apply toward your GERs. Three credits will apply toward humanities requirements (H or G) and three toward intercultural studies requirements (I, G, or K).
- You could earn three additional credits toward a program requirement. If you take a second course in the summer, you fulfill another requirement.
- You master a second language and broaden your view of the world. The experience will enrich your life and open doors in your career.
How can you find out more?
Drop by Thompson Hall 110, or Call Cynthia Davis at the Dept. of Foreign Languages and Cultures (509-335-4135), or E-mail Cynthia at daviscm@wsu.edu.
If you enter the Foreign Language Fluency Track, be sure to visit the Department of Foreign Languages and Cultures. You will need to work collaboratively with this department as well as International Programs to plan your summer studying abroad.