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Today, there is an urgent need for college graduates with language skills in international affairs, business, industry, communications, government, social services, teaching, and many other fields.
The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures provides an outstanding educational experience for future language teachers and language career-related professionals. Language majors at Columbia College have abundant opportunities to develop their skills in French or Spanish, and to gain an understanding of the diversity of cultures within a global perspective.
The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures helps students develop communication skills and cultural competence in order to prepare them for careers and an active life in the global community. Comprehensive majors in Spanish and French adhere to the State and National Standards established by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages: Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities. Graduates have marketable skills that lead them into such fields as business, public affairs, and community service. Many students go into graduate programs and professional schools to pursue teacher certification, advanced studies in literature, and law.
The need for educated professionals with strong foreign language skills has taken on great importance in South Carolina as the state’s demographics and economy have changed. The growth in the Hispanic population and the number of international companies based in the state drive the demand for second-language speaking employees. Columbia College majors in Spanish and French enjoy opportunities for full participation in a multi-cultural arena.
The Department of Modern Languages also offers study abroad opportunities in Angers, France and Salamanca, Spain. Students may study for a semester or a summer session. Almost all majors have taken advantage of this experience and found it to be life-changing personally and an unmatched means of developing communicative and cultural competence.
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