Visit the Modern Language Department Web Site
The Modern Language Department aims to build your competence in a modern language and give you an appreciation of other cultures. This in turn gives you increased appreciation for your own culture.
Language Programs
Alma offers majors in French, German and Spanish. Course work in Hebrew, Greek and Latin is available. All modern language instruction is conducted in the target language itself. Some courses are designed to increase your fluency in speaking, reading and writing. At the more advanced levels, you continue to develop your language skills in areas such as literature, popular culture, history, education, politics and the arts.
Intensive Language Study
Introductory language instruction includes:
- Student involvement and participation.
- A variety of activities.
- Conversations with native speakers.
- International television news and films.
- Computer-aided instruction.
- Guest lecturers.
International Study
Alma College sponsors study programs in France, Germany, Mexico, South America and Spain.
You may choose to study in:
- Paris at the Alliance Francaise.
- Kassel, Germany, at the Europa-Kolleg.
- Segovia, Spain, at Cursos Americanos e Internacionales.
- Marbella, Granada, Barcelona and Madrid, Spain; Quito, Ecuador; Sucre, Bolivia; Cuzco, Peru; all at Enforex or Academia Latinoamericana.
Students with a strong language background and flexible schedule can take university courses at:
- Institut Catholique or Paris X Nanterre.
- Universit�t Bonn in Germany.
- Universidad de Alicante in Alicante, Spain.
Internships
Students who participate in Alma’s program of studies in Paris have internship options in the arts and art history, education, economics and marketing, business, law, public affairs, journalism and theatre.
Students with superior command may find internships through the Europa-Kolleg or numerous private contacts. Spanish students seeking internships and/or service-oriented experience may do so at any of the Enforex or Academica Latinoamericana sites which offer opportunities in diverse Spanish businesses and agencies. The Chicago Urban Life Center and the Washington Center also offer programs that can be tailored to combine students’ interests with a linguistically and culturally relevant internship experience in Hispanic communities within the United States.
Career Possibilities
When combined with another major, a degree in language can create a variety of career options.
Traditionally, many of Alma’s language majors have gone into education and still do. However Alma’s interdisciplinary approach allows combing language studies with other fields, creating an exciting array of career options.
Alma’s International Business Program unites business administration with multinational business and third-year language proficiency. Students land jobs overseas or those in which they use their language regularly. Many combine language study with a major in Communication. Language majors also find employment in advertising, industry, journalism, law, medicine and tourism.
Given Alma’s strong international studies programs, language majors often pursue graduate studies to become directors of international studies or university counselors of foreign students.
Many graduates of Alma’s second language programs have pursued advanced studies not only at Michigan and Michigan State, but also at Berkeley, Colorado, Georgetown, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Middlebury, Vanderbilt, the Thunderbird School of International Management and the Monterey Institute of International Studies.
