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Frequently Asked Questions

Introduction

Welcome to the Department of Modern and Classical Languages. This document has been prepared to help students find answers to questions regarding degree requirements and information on careers available to language students. As you use this document, please take notes not only to answer your questions, but also to remember what questions you did not find answered. Your advisor will attempt to incorporate your suggestions into revisions of this document.

Who studies foreign languages, and why?

All students who receive a BA degree are required to finish at least two years of a foreign language (or present equivalent knowledge) as part of a liberal education.

The reasons that some students go beyond those two years, majoring, minoring, or just taking additional course work in a language are numerous.

For some, the reason is an interest in language itself, a fascination with learning a system of communication other than their own, or indeed in their own native or ancestral language. If this interest develops further, choices may lie in the direction of linguistics.

Students planning to go on to graduate school in non-language areas, such as law, find that a knowledge of a foreign language and literature improves their chances of being accepted. Some students seek courses in Latin and Greek for this reason.

For others, it is because of an interest in the culture or cultures which use a given language: literature, folklore, history etc. Sometimes this stems from the students' own background, such as when Mexican-American students study the Spanish language, along with literature, culture and civilization, and the like. Similarly German-Americans, Japanese-Americans, Chinese-Americans, Italian-Americans and others seek to learn or broaden their knowledge of their parents' cultural background.

For yet others, prime motivation comes from career plans. Some wish to teach, and a language is one of the fields they want to teach. Students planning to go into the business world may wish to know one or more languages to broaden their hireability in an ever-increasingly international setting. For instance, with the new developments in the former Soviet Union, greater opportunities will no doubt continue to arise for persons knowing Russian. Those who are interested in social service may see language as a means to serve potential clients more effectively. For those who have a career in government service, such as in the diplomatic world, must present knowledge of a foreign language or two, and evidence that if necessary they have the special talents to learn an additional language.

What opportunities for employment are there

In addition to professions mentioned in section 2 (Who studies foreign languages, and why?), many business require, or prefer, candidates who can deal with employees who do not speak English. This is especially true of Spanish in Texas and other places where Spanish is spoken.

For persons dealing with the art world, often a knowledge of French and or Italian is required or preferred. In the scientific world a knowledge of languages is often a distinct employment asset.

In the world of merchandising, a knowledge of a language other than English may clinch an opportunity for work. In virtually all businesses dealing with an international clientele multi-lingual persons have a distict advantage.

Some envisage a career in interpreting and translation. Often this work is carried out in a business setting. Special courses in commercial language have been developed in some languages to meet the need for skills in this area.

Of course you will probably not see an ad looking for "Spanish-speaker wanted"; you will see classifieds for "sales manager with knowledge of (you fill in the language) sought."

For professional guidance, visit the Careers and Placement Center in the Student Services Center Building. Also talk with your individual language teachers.

What minors work with foreign language majors?

Of course some language majors do minor studies in another language.

For students planning to go into the business world, one option is Business Administration. For persons concerned with the Hispanic presence in the United States, there are Mexican-American Studies. For those interested in public service, one logical option might be sociology or psychology. For those interested in government service, a minor in history or political science might be advisable.

The possibilities are many, and each student may have a different reason for choosing a minor.

For those who wish to broaden their horizons even more, there are courses labeled "knowledge integration": 6 credits of these carefully selected courses may be used instead of a minor.

How about teacher certification?

Many students interested in language want to be teachers. For those who wish to use their language skills with elementary school children, they should see the section on the "Majoring in a Foreign Language" page and choose topic #5.

For students who wish to be secondary teachers, that is, in a middle school or high school, the most direct way is to do a major in the language of choice, along with another teaching field, plus the necessary curriculum to be certified by the State of Texas. See "Majoring in a Foreign Language" page, topic #4.

If a student enters the University with a large number of credits from other institutions, it may be recommended to finish a BA in the language involved, with a minor in another eventual teaching field, and then meet the requirements for certification later. In such cases the student will be steered in the direction of courses most useful for the later certification.

I already have studied, or speak a language. Where do I start my university study?

Many students arrive at the University of Houston with a knowledge of a foreign language either from previous study or from hearing and speaking the language at home or in residence abroad. Every effort is made to direct such students to appropriate courses which will allow them to make use of their previous language knowledge, but at the same time to avoid placing them beyond their knowledge. Therefore special testing is made available.

For those whose knowledge is basically "school" knowledge (from high school), French, German and Spanish placement tests are given by the Counciling and Testing Center in the Student Services Center Building. These tests are required for those who have had two or more years of a language, or if some time has lapsed since the last course was take. (For other languages, see the departmental advisors.)

For those who learned Spanish at home or by residence in a Spanish-speaking country, special courses have been created to meet their needs. There is also a special examination, administered by the Department.

Can I get credit for my previously learned language skills?

Yes. Credit is given for high scores on AP tests and on the University's own evaluations. Generally six hours may be given at the sophomore level to students who place into junior level courses, with clear evidence of the equivalence of B in those hours. Exceptional students may receive credit at the junior level for language skills. See your advisor for further details.

What about transfer credits?

Credits can be transferred from other accredited institutions of higher learning with little difficulty.

There are a few limits to be kept in mind:

Does the University of Houston have study abroad programs?

Yes. Every year the French program holds a summer session in the City of Bourges, France. Courses may be taken in sophomore and advanced levels. A minimum of one year of college French, or equivalent, is required. Announcements of the details of the following summer's program come out in the late fall.

The German section has a close relationship with the University of Siegen, Germany. See a German professor for more information.

Occasionally the Classical Studies program sponsors a session traveling in Greece. See a Classical Studies professor for more information.