Beginning- and Intermediate-level Courses
If you take beginning and intermediate courses in French, Spanish, German, or Russian (the latter offered as distance education courses) at Clarion University, you will be able to maintain a simple face-to-face conversation with speakers of the language you are studying, as well as read and write a variety of texts. The outcome of a beginning- and intermediate-level course sequence is, however, not sufficient to communicate confidently in the workplace.
Beyond Intermediate-level Proficiency: Minoring in a Foreign Language
The completion of a minor in French, German, or Spanish at Clarion University requires an additional 12 credit hours beyond intermediate-level language study. A minor will increase your proficiency in the foreign language, allowing you to engage in more complex conversations with native speakers, use more extensive vocabulary, and read and write various texts on a variety of topics aimed at different audiences.
Majoring in a Foreign Language
Completing a major requires 30 credits of advanced-level courses for the B.A. and 33 credits for the B.S. in Education, above the basic, four semester sequence of language instruction. Graduating foreign language majors will be comfortable conversing on a range of topics with native speakers, and will acquire presentation skills in the foreign language. They will be able to read, summarize, discuss and analyze written materials, and to write longer and more complex essays, narratives, and analyses.
Foreign Language Plus: Double Majors
The ideal preparation for a job in a global market is to combine a foreign language major and a major in another field (e.g., business, accounting, art, elementary education, political science,etc.) Prospective employers will be impressed by the completion of a double major. A double major indicates graduates have competence in the foreign language and culture and the knowledge of how the foreign language relates to their profession.Why Study French?
