The program of language studies at Grove City College has been developed to enhance the communicative, cultural, and vocational benefits of language study. The department provides courses to increase language proficiency, to analyze the literature of great writers, to explore history and civilization, and to illustrate the expanding role of  language in the social, political, and commercial areas of today’s world.

CURRICULA

The modern language department offers degree programs in French, Spanish and secondary education, plus minors in Chinese, French, German and Japanese. The program accommodates study abroad, which is recommended, though not required and allows for the completion of double majors. French majors have 24 credit hours required past the first-year level (101-102); Spanish majors have 30 credit hours past the second-year level (201-202). Most students begin at the 200 or 300 level. Faculty advisers assist with the selection of courses. In addition to language classes, students are encouraged to complement their language studies with courses in other disciplines.

In addition to boosting students’ fluency in speaking, understanding, reading and writing in the target language, our department takes into consideration the many facets of language studies and cultural understanding. Our courses are proficiency based and rely on the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st century drawn up by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages; they are structured to measure our students’ communicative competence in a wide variety of situations and modalities. Through our language, civilization, literature and film courses, through the cultural events we organize, and through the many opportunities we provide for students to work in close collaboration with each other and with their instructors, we equip our graduates to become skilled participants in today’s increasingly complex and changing world.

Study Abroad

Although not a requirement for a language major, a year, semester, or summer abroad is highly recommended. Grove City students may obtain approval to enroll directly at a foreign university or to study in a program sponsored by an accredited U.S. university or college. The Departmental Coordinator of International Studies (caforrester@gcc.edu) can provide information about and assistance with research, program selection, travel documents, and transfer of credits.