World Languages & Cultures

Learning a new language can open up a world of opportunity. The World Languages & Cultures programs prepare students to be informed global citizens who can navigate personal and professional interactions throughout the world. Our programs provide instruction in a highly interactive and challenging environment while strongly advocating international experience.

The Department of World Languages & Cultures offers majors and/or minors in Chinese, French, French and Francophone Studies, German, German Studies, Japanese, Spanish and Professional Spanish. Additionally, the Department offers a full range of courses in Latin, and some courses in Arabic and Ancient Greek. The Department is also the home for the TESOL (Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages) minor, including preparation courses for students looking into teacher licensure.

Students with linguistic skills and cultural knowledge are in high demand across many disciplines, including business, education, politics, and the arts. Many graduate programs in these fields require competency in a second language, and an increasing number of employers are actively seeking graduates who can demonstrate proficiency in another language.

Students are encouraged to take advantage of the many study abroad opportunities at North Central. The College currently sponsors study abroad programs in the following countries: China, Taiwan, France, Germany, Japan, Spain, Costa Rica, Chile, and Greece. Additional opportunities may be arranged through the Center for Global Education. 

Chinese, B.A.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see World Languages and Cultures.

The Chinese major consists of a minimum of thirty-three credits, including twenty-eight credits in CHNS courses, at or above the 102 level, and at least five credits from CHST courses.

Additional Requirements

Semester Study Abroad

Complete a semester study abroad program in a Chinese-speaking environment or complete 12 credits from the following:

Note:

*CHNS May Term coursework may count toward the major as long as all course work is completed in Chinese

Note:

Students seeking teaching licensure must also complete the Secondary Education major requirements.

Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language. For more information, see the B.A. Degree Requirements within the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

French and Francophone Studies, B.A.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see World Languages and Cultures.

A major in French and Francophone Studies (FRST) consists of at least 33 credit hours. This major will automatically satisfy the elementary competency in a foreign language requirement of the B.A. degree as noted in the  B.A. Degree Requirements within the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

French Language

Four credit hours taught in French (FREN) at the 300-level. *

Note:

*FREN courses leading to the 300-level apply to the Additional Electives category below.

French Studies Courses

Seven credit hours from the following:

Additional Electives

Remaining credit hours from the following:

Note:

*With department approval, the following courses may also serve as electives:

  • GSST 390 - Gender and Sexuality in the World
  • GLST courses focusing on French or Francophone areas
  • POLS 300 - Great Decisions in International Politics
  • POLS 321 - Model United Nations

Note:

Students may not complete both the French major and the French and Francophone Studies major.

Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language. For more information, see the B.A. Degree Requirements within the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

French, B.A.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see World Languages and Cultures.

The French major consists of a minimum of 33 credit hours (FREN or FRST), at or above the 201-level. Of the 33 credit hours, at least 28 credit hours must come from courses taught in French (FREN) and five credit hours must be at the 400-level including FREN 480. This major will automatically satisfy the elementary competency in a foreign language requirement of the B.A. degree as noted in the B.A. Degree Requirements within the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

Note:

Students seeking teaching licensure must also complete the Secondary Education major requirements.

Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language. For more information, see the B.A. Degree Requirements within the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

German Studies, B.A.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see World Languages and Cultures.

A major in German Studies (GRST) consists of at least 33 credit hours including the following coursework. This major will automatically satisfy the elementary competency in a foreign language requirement of the B.A. degree as noted in the  B.A. Degree Requirements within the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

German Studies Electives

Seven credit hours from the following:

Note:

Up to four credit hours from the following electives may be substituted for any of the above electives:

  • ARTH 100 - World Histories I 
  • ARTH 102 - World Histories II 
  • ARTH 302 - Modern Art 
  • COMM 317 - Intercultural Communication 
  • HIST 256 - Renaissance and Reformation Europe 
  • HIST 258 - Early Modern Europe 
  • HIST 285 - Twentieth-Century Europe: Hitler Versus Stalin 
  • PHIL 265 - Modern Philosophy 
  • PHIL 270 - Aesthetics 
  • PHIL 370 - 20th Century Philosophy 
  • With approval, the following courses may also serve as electives:
    • GLST courses focusing on German Studies
    • POLS 300 - Great Decisions in International Politics 
    • POLS 321 Model United Nations 

*Students may not complete both the German major and the German Studies major.

Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language. For more information, see the B.A. Degree Requirements within the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

German, B.A.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see World Languages and Cultures.

The German major consists of a minimum of 33 credit hours (GRMN or GRST), at or above the 102 level. Of the 33 credit hours, at least 28 credit hours must come from courses taught in German (GRMN) and five credit hours must be at the 400-level including GRMN 480. This major will automatically satisfy the elementary competency in a foreign language requirement of the B.A. degree as noted in the B.A. Degree Requirements within the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

Note:

Students seeking teaching licensure must also complete the Secondary Education major requirements.

Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language. For more information, see the B.A. Degree Requirements within the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

Japanese, B.A.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see World Languages and Cultures.

The Japanese major consists of at least 33 credits at or above the 201-level, with at least 28 credits taught in Japanese including the following coursework. This major will automatically satisfy the elementary competency in a foreign language requirement of the B.A. degree as noted in the B.A. Degree Requirements within the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

One of the following:

Semester Study Abroad

Complete a semester study abroad program in Japan, with a minimum of eight credit hours taught in Japanese or complete the following 16 credit hours:

One of the following:

Note:

Students seeking teaching licensure must also complete the Secondary Education major requirements.

Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language. For more information, see the B.A. Degree Requirements within the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

Spanish, B.A.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see World Languages and Cultures.

The Spanish major consists of a minimum of 34 credits. Thirty-two credits must be in SPAN at or above the 201-level including the following coursework. This major will automatically satisfy the elementary competency in a foreign language requirement of the B.A. degree as noted in the B.A. Degree Requirements within the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

Note:

Students seeking teaching licensure must also complete the Secondary Education major requirements.

Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language. For more information, see the B.A. Degree Requirements within the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

Chinese Minor

For additional programs and courses in this department, see World Languages and Cultures.

A minimum of 24 credit hours in Chinese, including four credit hours at the 300-level or above and one of CHST 105 - China Today or CHST 205 - Understanding China.

French Minor

For additional programs and courses in this department, see World Languages and Cultures.

A minimum of 20 credit hours in French language, including four credit hours at the 300-level or above.

German Minor

For additional programs and courses in this department, see World Languages and Cultures.

At minimum of 20 credit hours in German language, including four credit hours from the following electives:

Japanese Minor

For additional programs and courses in this department, see World Languages and Cultures.

A minimum 24 credit hours, with at least 20 credit hours of courses taught in Japanese, including:

Four credit hours from the following:

Professional Spanish Minor

Students may not complete both a Professional Spanish minor and a major in Spanish.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see World Languages and Cultures.

A minimum of 20 credit hours, including:

Four credit hours from the following:

Note:

*With department approval, additional couses may also serve as electives.

Spanish Minor

For additional programs and courses in this department, see World Languages and Cultures.

A minimum of 24 credit hours in Spanish, including four credit hours at the 300-level.

Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Minor

This minor is open to all students who are interested in teaching English to speakers of other languages, in U.S. private settings or abroad. No teaching background required.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see World Languages and Cultures.

A minimum of 20 credit hours, including:

Student Opportunities

 

Campus Activities

  • Chinese Club is a community of students dedicated to learning, sharing, and appreciating the Chinese language and culture
  • Fusión Española helps students continue learning the Spanish language through cultural events, volunteer work and unity in the community
  • German Club promotes the language and culture of all German-speaking countries through weekly conversation hours, cultural events and excursions
  • International Club fosters cross-cultural understanding among American and international students
  • Japan Club promotes cultural awareness through events featuring events featuring games, traditional cultural activities, film nights, and cooking
  • The Language Resource Center serves language students and faculty with equipment, supplies, and spaces for language & culture learning and teaching
  • Tous Ensemble: Le Cercle Francais provides students with opportunities to use French in real-life situations

 

Study Abroad

Previous students in the World Languages & Cultures Department have studied abroad in:

  • Argentina
  • Brazil
  • China
  • Costa Rica
  • France
  • Germany
  • Honduras
  • Japan
  • Morocco
  • Sénégal
  • Spain
  • Uruguay

Visit the Center for Global Education for additional study abroad opportunities!

There are lots of great reasons to study language (at North Central)!

 

Plan to work in the U.S.?  The United States is one of the world's most linguistically diverse countries.  Check out this site for more information.