All Gustavus Adolphus College students take four semesters of language through the level of 202 to reach a level of "minimum proficiency" in all linguistic skills in the target language. These students participate in a study abroad program in the target language and culture.
- Major/minor
- Most students entering the program are tested in June or September to determine the proper level at which to enter the major/minor. This placement is done via an oral and/or written exam administered by the faculty members. This "hands-on" placement allows a first student/faculty contact that helps to build positive relationships between students and the Modern Foreign Languages program, as well as allows students to identify a possible advisor or, if not, at least a faculty contact person upon entry into Gustavus.
- Advising
- Students select an advisor from among the tenured or tenure-track faculty in each language section. In some cases, Spanish, for example, this selection may occur based on an area of interest within the program, i.e., linguistics, Peninsular or Spanish-American studies. Students work with the advisor to plan a program of study, select a study abroad site, seek graduate studies advising, or other academic topics.
- Study abroad
- All majors and minors spend a minimum of one year studying in an approved program that the student selects in consultation with his/her advisor and the Office of International Education. Students choose the area based on academic interests, internship possibilities, program reputation. A number of courses are selected in consultation with the advisor, and some of these assist students in progressing toward successful completion of the major. In addition, the abroad experience is envisioned as a rich cultural component in the student's study program at the College. To this end the Department works to prepare students for the experience abroad both through course work completed before study abroad (culture courses are a key component), web sites prepared for this purpose in the Culpeper Center by faculty, the director, and returning students. Students are expected to fulfill specific cultural and linguistic obligations while abroad, and are required to return with specific knowledge and experiences acquired during the stay overseas. Upon returning, students are expected to share the knowledge/experiences with the Gustavus community of students/faculty through presentations, portfolios, and course expectations. This experience serves as an important part of the senior exam that students take before exiting the program.
- Teacher education program
- Two languages (French and Spanish) work in connection with the Education department to prepare students for the teaching profession and certification by the State. Students in this program gain important linguistic and cultural expertise by studying abroad, in addition to completing the major. The Department oversees the instruction of the language teaching methodology course. Students gain additional experience by serving as language tutors in the Department and by working closely with faculty members in the student employment program.
- Student employment
- This college-wide program enables our students to work closely with faculty members and gain important insights into the teaching and academic profession. Faculty request specific students from those qualified for financial aid. In addition, students may have the opportunity to assist in the language center and gain valuable computer skills, in addition to learning applications of technology to language learning.
- Tutorial program
- Each language section runs an in-house tutorial program overseen by a faculty member and staffed by student assistants with the help of the language assistant. Here students can receive peer assistance, as well as have the opportunity to learn teaching skills by working with their peers in a tutorial situation. Faculty members conduct occasional tutorials for the tutors to offer help in explaining language topics.
- Language assistant program
- Each language recruits a native speaker from abroad who spends an academic year living among the student community and assisting each language program. Assistants oversee cultural activities such as film series, cultural talks, language tables, conversation periods, and work with the tutorial program to help language learners. In addition, assistants may assist faculty in the classroom on occasion.
- Culpeper Center
- The Center is a key link in many of the above activities. Here students have access to all digital materials used in courses: oral language, visuals, films, WWW sites. Students write assignments here with the assistance of language specific software. The Center assists in the preparation of students for the abroad experience with country specific cultural and linguistic sites. Students use the Center to hone their listening skills by accessing WWW radio broadcasts for the country of their choice. WWW sites are prepared by returning students to share information and experiences that are integrated into culture courses and the pre-departure preparation of other students. The Center is also the key for language and cultural maintenance for students who return from abroad with specific sites and applications constructed for this purpose. These sites also target Gustavus graduates to enable them to continue maintenance and a connection with the institution after graduation.
