World Languages and Cultures
With its interdisciplinary and global vision of a changing world, the Department of World Languages and Cultures contributes to the international education of students. It forms world citizens, able to interact responsibly with people and cultures in the United States and abroad. Students in our programs develop linguistic proficiency and cultural literacy. With a deeper awareness of languages, students gain perspective as an international citizen and a deeper understanding of the interdependency of nations and peoples.
Even if you take just a few courses, learning a language will make you more marketable in every career path, more culturally aware. Any position or self-employment enterprise is enhanced if you can communicate in a second language and you will be better prepared for the jobs in the current market and for those which still do not exist but will arrive in the future!
Also, it will equip you with “soft skills” very valued by employees, such as:
- Critical thinking, independent thinking
- Attention to details
- Cross-cultural competency and awareness of cultural issues
- Defining and analyzing complex problems
- Oral and written comprehension
- Communication skills: both ways, communicating and listening well
- Improve the student's first language. Learning a second language increases vocabulary and eloquence, and gives a better understanding of different registers of formality and informality.
See more in the “Did you know?” section below.
- We have a dedicated, enthusiastic, and rigorous faculty to support your learning.
- We offer a variety of exciting courses in literature, linguistics, film, translation and cultural issues.
- Students can select from over a hundred of study abroad programs offered by our department or through the SUNY system. Short- and long-term program are availble
Our Adolescence Education programs in French and Spanish prepare successful teachers, a career that is very in demand.
- Foreign Languages and Cultures degrees are the liberal arts majors that pay the most after graduation.
- Foreign Languages and Cultures will not only allow you to communicate with people from other country or culture but also will improve your communication skills in your native language and provide "soft skills" which employers value and seek.
- Languages are not only meant for teaching. They open the door to many exciting careers in fields such as government, business, law enforcement (including borders and customs), mass media, non-profit organizations, and much more. Some graduates are pursuing satisfying careers with airlines and international companies, with the IRS, as court interpreters, editors, and administrators, just to mention a few.
- Knowledge of a second language expands your mind and mental flexibility and enhances your job marketability. Many employers believe that a multilingual employee is worth two. Languages open opportunities to study and work abroad and make travel more interesting and meaningful.
- What Careers and Jobs Can You Find With a Foreign Language?
In the fall of 2018, the Foreign Language requirement at Fredonia changed. The updated policy can be found in the College Catalog.
To sign up for the Language Placement Exam, please click here.
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