University of Maryland College Park Bachelor Degree Program in Foreign Language Education
University & College Info June 1, 2013Isn’t it exciting to learn a foreign language? There is something genuinely comforting and amazing about learning a non-native tongue for the first time—especially in this modern age of Google Translate and other artificial inventions that lose the personal connection. The University of Maryland at College Park offers a bachelor degree program in foreign language education that is truly in-depth and ideal for students who have an interest in linguistics and world travel.
What Does the UMD Study Cover?
The UMD bachelor’s degree program goes into detail regarding world language and how various languages are used in politics, law, diplomacy, and commerce. The program doesn’t necessarily teach linguistics, but instead provides a broad range of language; from literature to criticism to art. Subjects related to the field include social sciences, natural sciences, and even cinema.
While language is the major, students are encouraged to take French as a minor and to speak French overseas. Perhaps the most thrilling part of the college semester is when students travel to Montpellier for three weeks, as well as a semester in Nice. In addition to language, students will experience the culture and get to participate in a number of programs, such as the Language Partner Program, which allows teaching experience in France. Students must maintain a C- grade or better, as well as six credits for the minor. Before the education commences, students take an online exam (the FLTP) to determine foreign language proficiency. This is a test of honesty, as students will be assessed for curriculum based on the results.
Associations and Facilities at UMD
The UMD Language House is one of the best reasons to sign up for this undergraduate program, as you will be able to enjoy the Language House facility, first built in 1932. The St. Mary’s Hall is part of a nine-building area and hosts students and learning programs. In addition to an office, there is a satellite system with all-day programming in ten different languages, a computer lab, a lounge, a cafe, and a multi-purpose room for events and scholastic activities. There is also an apartment complex for housing.
Clubs at the Language House include the Language and Linguistics Club, the Movie Club, the Tai-Chi Club and the Cooking Club. All of these social clubs provide nice resources as well as a rich atmosphere of diversity and world culture. Other language clusters represented at UMD and St. Mary’s include Arabic, Chinese, German, Hebrew, Italian, Persian, Japanese, Russian and Spanish.
Students pursuing language studies have gone onto successful careers in education, travel, marketing and sales, and other niches. The occupation is growing at a rate of 3.1% from now until the end of the decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS – www.bls.gov).
If you have always wanted to work in language and linguistics, and have a taste for culture, then consider enrolling at the University of Maryland in College Park for the bachelor degree program in foreign language. Your education will help you make a difference in your life and in the lives of others by improving your communication, cultural sensitive and understanding.
