Undergraduate programs

The Department of World Languages and Literatures offers undergraduate major programs in French, German, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish (please note, applications are not currently being accepted for the undergraduate major programs in Arabic or Chinese); minor programs in the above languages and in American Sign Language, Arabic, Italian, Modern Hebrew, Persian, and Classical Studies; and instruction in the above languages, as well as in Chinese, Korean, Latin, Norwegian, Portuguese, Swedish, and Vietnamese. Other languages may be offered from time to time.

Degree Maps and Learning Outcomes

Admission requirements

World Language B.A.

World Language Minor

Classical Studies Minor

Comparative Literary and Cultural Studies

Intercultural Competence for the Workplace

World Language Pedagogy Certificate

Certificate of Advanced Proficiency in Russian (CAPR)

Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language (TJFL) Certificate

Foreign Language Secondary Education Program

World Language Pedagogy Undergraduate Certificate

The Certificate of World Language Pedagogy familiarizes students with the instructional methodology of teaching world languages. It is designed to fit into WLL major and minor programs as well as other fields, including Applied Linguistics, Education, and Communication. It is especially suitable for people who have a high level of proficiency in a world language, wish to teach a world language at a private or public K-16 school in the US, or intend to apply to GTEP or other teacher education programs. Candidates may enroll as undergraduate or post-baccalaureate students. The certificate will be available in the following languages: Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Persian, Russian and Spanish (Chinese is currently not available). Students are required to take a total of 20 upper-division credits covering the following four areas: 1. Methods, 2. Linguistics, 3. Content, 4. Practicum. They are expected to have a degree of language proficiency that is determined by each language section in order to qualify for the certificate. Students will have an adviser for the certificate who will guide them through the coursework.

Requirements

Students are required to take a total of 20 credits covering the following four areas: Methods, Linguistics, Content, and Practicum. Students are expected to have a language proficiency at the level required to complete Methods and Practicum courses. The required level of proficiency is determined by each language section. Students will have an adviser for the certificate who will guide them through the coursework.

Area 1: Methods (8 credits)

Students will take 2 courses from among the following methods courses in World Languages or Linguistics to earn a total of 8 credits in language teaching methods.  With approval of an adviser, methods courses from other accredited institutions can be used. Ling 438 can only be applied to Area 1 or Area 2.

Jpn 477Teaching Japanese As a Foreign Language

4

Jpn 478Teaching Japanese As a Foreign Language

4

Span 312Introduction to Teaching Spanish

4

WLL 498Methods of Teaching Foreign Languages

4

Ling 477TESOL Methods I

4

Ling 438Second Language Acquisition

4

Area 2: Linguistics (4 credits)

Students will take one linguistics course relevant to the world language of their choice from the following list. If a linguistics course is not available in their chosen language section, the course from Applied Linguistics (Ling 390, Ling 438) may be taken to meet this requirement. Ling 438 can only be applied to Area 1 or Area 2.

Ar 414Advanced Arabic Grammar

4

Ar 490History of the Arabic Language

4

Fr 325French Phonetics and Phonology

4

Fr 414Advanced French Grammar

4

Fr 490History of the French Language

4

Fr 494French Linguistics

4

Fr 497Applied French Linguistics

4

Ger 414Advanced German Grammar

4

Ger 490History of the German Language

4

Ger 494German Linguistics

4

Ger 497Applied German Linguistics

4

It 390History of Italian Language

4

Jpn 414Advanced Japanese Grammar

4

Jpn 494Japanese Sociolinguistics

4

Rus 325Russian Phonetics and Phonology

4

Rus 414Advanced Russian Grammar

4

Rus 494Russian Linguistics

4

Rus 497Applied Russian Linguistics

4

Span 325Spanish Phonetics and Phonology

4

Span 414Advanced Spanish Grammar

4

Span 490History of the Spanish Language

4

Span 494Spanish Linguistics

4

Span 495Spanish Dialectology

4

Span 497Applied Spanish Linguistics

4

Span 498Spanish Syntax

4

WLL 390Languages of the World

4

Ling 390Introduction to Linguistics

4

Ling 438Second Language Acquisition

4

Area 3: Content (4 credits)

Students will take one course of literature, language, culture, or content area relevant to the language of their choice. The course may be taught in English or the target language. Upper division courses from the following areas may count towards this requirement: Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Persian, Russian, Spanish, and World Languages and Literatures (Chinese is currently not available). 

Area 4: Practicum (4 credits)

Students will complete 4 credits of Practicum in the world language of their choice (Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Persian, Russian, or Spanish). The total of 4 credits can be taken all at once or over multiple terms. At least 1 credit hour of practicum should involve instructional experience supervised by WLL faculty in existing language courses, content courses, or in the community, (which would be pre-arranged by the adviser of the target language). The practicum may include practicum or internship experience abroad. Cooperative Education/Internship (404 with language prefix, e.g., Ar404) and Senior Capstone courses ("Japanese and Chinese Language for Youth," "Bilingual Education," and "Teaching/Tutoring Adult ESL") may substitute for Practicum credits.

All credits should be 300 or above. They may include up to 12 credits taken outside of PSU's program, and credits earned through study abroad at a PSU's partner institution will be considered as residential credits.

Total Credit Hours: 20

All courses used to satisfy certificate requirements must be passed with a grade of C or higher. (C- and P are not acceptable.)