Department of Global Languages & Cultures

Suphawat Nambuppha '20

International studies major; German studies minor

Nambuppha was awarded a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship (ETA) through the Fulbright US Student Program for Germany to assist local English teachers and serve as cultural ambassadors for the U.S. “I was able to greatly improve my German language skills; gain insight into how German classrooms functioned and learn how to live among and engage with others from different cultures,” said Nambuppha, reflecting on his time at Ship.

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The Global Languages Education Program was Nationally Recognized by the ACTFL-CAEP for the first time in January, 2011.  It was recognized again in 2022 for its excellence and is certified until 2029.

For further information, the ACTL-CAEP report is attached here.

The Global Languages & Cultures Edge

Speaking another language like Chinese, French, German, and Spanish gives you a competitive edge. With the globalization of the workplace, employers are increasingly looking for professionals who know how to communicate with diverse groups of people at home and abroad. By studying languages, you prepare yourself to be a bridge for interaction and collaboration among people, while also embarking on a lifelong journey of cultural exploration and understanding. Career fields in which you can put your language and cultural skills to use include:

• Airlines
• Business
• Education
• Engineering
• Foreign and public service
• International banking
• International news, media, and journalism
• Science and technology
• Teaching in the U.S. and abroad
• Translating and interpreting

Coursework and Programs

Coursework in the Department of Global Languages and cultures develops your proficiency in all four communicative skills (listening, reading, speaking, writing) and understanding of the dramatic effect cultural differences can have on communication. Grammar courses hone your ability to use the language with the kind of precision and polish that impresses. Literature and culture courses expand your understanding of the practices, products and perspectives that are unique to other cultures. Courses in translation and interpreting develop your ability to facilitate communication between speakers of different languages. And professionally-oriented courses provide you with industry-specific language and cultural training. We offer majors, minors, and certificates in the languages we teach, but all students are welcome to take courses that benefit their individual educational goals.

Explore our Programs

Department Mission

The Global Languages & Cultures Department provides comprehensive training in language and culture to majors, minors, certificate seekers and Gen Ed students preparing to compete in the global workforce. Our programs in French, German, and Spanish focus on the development of oral and written proficiency, as well as cross-cultural literacy, in accordance with the World Readiness Standards set by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). 

Wer keine andere Sprache kennt, kennt seine eigne nicht – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Celui qui parle deux langues est aussi deux personnes
El que habla dos lenguas vale por dos
Who does not know another language, does not know his own