Language Programs FAQs
Designed as a quick reference guide, this page features highlights and useful information about each language program at Wesleyan.
- American Sign Language
American Sign Language at Wesleyan:
ASL is a visual gestural language. That means it is a language that is expressed through the hands and face and is perceived through the eyes. It isn't just waving your hands in the air, a "visual gestural" language carries just as much information as any spoken language.
Levels of ASL offered:
We offer Beginning American Sign Language I and II as well as a third semester course, “American Sign Language and Current Issues” and a fourth semester course, “Advanced Conversational ASL”. A number of Wesleyan students have continued their ASL studies during the summer at Gallaudet University in Washington DC (the first established liberal arts university for d/Deaf people).
Extracurricular Opportunities:
Invited d/Deaf guests at Wesleyan visit the American School for the Deaf in West Hartford, CT for a limited immersion experience. Total immersion experiences can be had at Gallaudet University in the summer and at some Interpreter Training Programs (ITP) that have a critical mass of d/Deaf students present. Gallaudet U and others have extensive ASL programs and a critical mass of hearing students (interpreter training) and d/Deaf students to sign with before venturing abroad. There are a number of study abroad programs such as the University of Siena. Most are of short duration (two weeks or so) and you get immersed in the host country’s sign language (i.e. British, French, Italian) and culture.
After Graduation:
Students intending to continue their ASL studies after Wesleyan are encouraged to attend Gallaudet University or ITP’s. Those who have completed their studies in ASL and Deaf culture and become fluent can be found in many disciplines working with d/Deaf and hard of hearing people. To name a few:
• Interpreting
• Clinical social work
• Counseling
• Law
• Rehabilitation
• Medicine - Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek at Wesleyan:
Intricate and often wild, beautiful, and deeply moving, Ancient Greek also opens neural and conceptual pathways. For example, in an era where we are re-examining cultural values and categories (race, gender, sexuality, justice, truth-telling, emotional intelligence), ancient Greek offers new ways of conceiving and applying these concepts to modern debates.
Beyond the cognitive benefits of intensive language study, you will gain firsthand access to a complex and vibrant ancient culture, and to texts that are constantly revived to influence modern politics, history, philosophy, literature, and performance arts.
Levels of Ancient Greek Offered:
Our introductory course (GRK101) is offered every Spring and finishes (GRK102) in the Fall.
Our intermediate and advanced students go on to engage with a variety of ancient texts, from mythology, epic poetry, and philosophy, to history and drama.
Anyone can begin learning Ancient Greek with us by starting with GRK101 and GRK102, but if you have previous experience with the language, we suggest having a conversation with a faculty member to determine the best level for you to continue.
Study Abroad:
Classics majors are highly encouraged to spend a semester abroad, usually in the junior year, at a number of institutions with well-established programs in classical languages and civilizations, many of which provide opportunities to visit archaeological and historical sites in addition to coursework.
Those attending such programs may count up to 4 classes abroad toward their major, subject to pre-approval. You can apply for small grants from the Squire Fund to help offset the costs.
For more info, visit the Office of Study Abroad.
After Graduation:
Classics majors have the highest combined GRE scores, the highest LSAT and UGPA scores, and the greatest success in law school.
They develop rich language, critical, and analytical skills that can be applied to modern careers such as medicine, law, and education, among many others.
- Arabic
Arabic at Wesleyan:
Arabic is the 5th most spoken language in the world (approximately 422 million native speakers). The Arabic program at Wesleyan teaches Modern Standard Arabic (known as Fus7a, i.e the eloquent or
pure) going from beginner to advanced level and is in the process of offering new possibilities for further
study of the language. A placement exam is available if you have previous knowledge of Arabic.Levels of Arabic offered:
Arabic is offered for 3 years (5 semesters of modern standard Arabic and 1 possible semester of a dialect).
You will learn Modern Standard Arabic which is the gateway to picking up easily any of the four major Arabic dialects.Middle Eastern Studies Certificate
The Middle Eastern Studies Certificate requires 8 courses, of which at least one course must be from the courses listed under the Jewish and Israel Studies Certificate and one must be on the Muslim Middle East.
Study Abroad:
Many of our students choose to do a study abroad program, usually after 2 or 3 semesters at Wesleyan. Currently, the most common destinations are Jordan, Morocco, Egypt, Lebanon and
the Sultanate of Oman.
For more info, visit the Office of Study Abroad.After Graduation:
Arabic language learners go on to earn fellowships such as the Fulbright Fellowship, and internships and career opportunities where they get to employ and further develop their language and culture skills.
- Chinese
Chinese at Wesleyan:
大家好! There’s no doubt Mandarin Chinese is the most spoken language in the world (with 1.2 billion
native speakers). The Chinese Language Program at Wesleyan has been one of the best in the country since the 70’s with the support of Freeman Foundation. We offer:• Chinese Language Tables
• Chinese Lunch Series
• Chinese Langauge Partners
• Significant financial aid to support Chinese language learners in need of funding for study abroad summer programsLevels of Chinese offered:
CHIN103: Elementary Chinese I
CHIN104: Elementary Chinese II
CHIN105: Elementary Chinese for Heritage Learners
CHIN205: Intermediate Chinese I
CHIN206: Intermediate Chinese II
CHIN217: Third-Year Chinese I
CHIN218: Third-Year Chinese II
CHIN221: Fourth-Year Chinese I
CHIN351: Fourth-Year Chinese II
We also offer a Chinese Character Writing course to help beginners learning Chinese writing system.
Higher level courses are provided individual tutorial courses when needed through the Chinese Language
Partner program.Students should take the placement exam to determine which level would be appropriate for you to continue at Wesleyan. In order to do this, you need to schedule an individual meeting with one of the Chinese instructors.
Study Abroad:
College of East Asian Studies (CEAS) majors are required to study abroad for one semester. There are
pre-approved programs that students can participate in, such as the Princeton in Beijing Program and most
of the Middlebury Programs in China. Students may petition for other programs.Through the Sha Ye Foundation, Chinese language students of Wesleyan can continue to study Chinese
language in summer schools.For more info, visit the Office of Study Abroad.
After Graduation:
Our graduates have gone on to careers in research and cultural analysis, education, law, artistic
production, diplomacy and public service, business and communications. Among them, many have worked and lived in China for years. You will find a great network available to support alumni even after graduation. - French
French at Wesleyan:
Bienvenue! Wesleyan’s French faculty offer a diverse, multidisciplinary curriculum that opens a window onto the literatures, ideas, and cultures of the French-speaking world, from the Middle Ages to the present day. Our courses foster the linguistic proficiency and intercultural awareness necessary for living, studying, and working successfully in a French-speaking environment. French Studies (FRST) is housed within the Romance Languages and Literatures (RLL) department at Wesleyan
Levels of French offered:
FREN101: Elementary French I
FREN102: Elementary French II
FREN111: Intermediate French I
FREN112: Intermediate French II
FREN215: Composition and Conversation
FREN224 and above: Advanced seminarsIf you have taken French in high school and would like to continue to study French at Wes, you should take the French placement exam during the summer before you arrive at Wes in order to determine which course is appropriate for you.
Study Abroad:
All students taking French (both majors and non-majors) are strongly encouraged to spend at least one semester studying abroad in a French-speaking country.
Wesleyan has had its own program in Paris (the Vassar-Wesleyan Program) since 1968. The program is open to all sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have completed FREN215 with at least a B grade.
Other Wesleyan-approved study-abroad programs currently exist in Cameroon, Madagascar, and Senegal. We also send one or two students a year to the Institut d’Etudes Politiques (Sciences Po) in Paris.
For more info, visit the Office of Study Abroad.After Graduation:
Anything you want. Recent graduates have gone on to pursue studies and careers in medicine, law, education, business, international relations, finance, the fine arts, government, NGOs and nonprofit organizations.
If you can do something in English and know French, you can also do it in French and do it in more of the world than if you know only English. - German
German Studies at Wesleyan:
The German Studies program offers many on- and off-campus opportunities and can help you pursue studies and careers in Germany and the US.
On campus, you can live in the German Haus, practice German at our Kaffeestunde, major or minor in German, and take courses in literature, film, theater, history, philosophy, and more of the German-speaking world. GRST majors and minors have combined their studies with other majors including COL, CSS, History, Music, Art History, Sciences, and Economics.
Off campus, you can study abroad in Hamburg or Berlin, and receive substantial financial support to pursue research projects in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland. Many fellowships during or after your studies are also available through organizations such as DAAD (German Academic Exchange Program), Fulbright, and the Bundestag Exchange.
Graduates have gone on to pursue studies, internships, and careers in Germany and the US in business, sciences, law, theology, humanities, and international relations, among other areas.
Levels of German offered:
German language is taught from elementary to advanced. Like all beginning language classes German is an ampersand course. Beginning students also attend one weekly Oral Practice Session with a native German speaker. More advanced speakers can join a Tandem Program, meeting with a student from Germany online. If you have taken German in high school and would like to continue studying German at Wesleyan, you should take the German placement test the summer before you arrive to determine which course is most appropriate for you.
Useful Links:
GRST Major or minor:
https://www.wesleyan.edu/german/Study abroad opportunities:
https://www.wesleyan.edu/german/studyabroad.htmlGrants, Fellowships, Internships:
https://www.wesleyan.edu/german/scholarships_prizes.html>Our Graduates:
http://german.site.wesleyan.edu/category/grst-majors-minors-news/
https://www.wesleyan.edu/german/people/majors.html - Hebrew
Hebrew at Wesleyan:
What is unique about the Hebrew Program at Wesleyan is that at all levels students are also exposed to Israeli culture, mainly through the arts and films. Writers, poets, translators and movie directors visit the classes after their works have been studied.
All students are required to attend these cultural enrichment activities and on the Intermediate and Advanced level students also write papers and prepare to converse with the speakers in Hebrew.
Several main series are integrated into the Hebrew curriculum: Contemporary Israeli Voices, The Ring Family Wesleyan University Israeli Film Festival, and Lunch and Learn.
Levels of Hebrew Offered:
Hebrew is offered up to 3 years (total of 6 semesters). Hebrew classes are small therefore students get a lot of one-on-one attention. The third year of Hebrew is a seminar where students lead most of the discussions
The Israel Studies track within the Certificate in Jewish and Israel Studies is especially attractive to students who take Hebrew courses because up to four Hebrew courses can be counted toward this track. Up to 2 Hebrew courses can be counted towards the certificate.
Over a three-year cycle, courses are offered in various departments grouped into four pathways:
- History of the Jewish People
- Jewish Literature and Culture
- Israel Studies
- Religion of the Jewish People
Study Abroad:
Ben Gurion University of the Negev (Beersheba) Fall (may earn only 3 credits due to length), spring or full year. Volunteer and internship opportunities, strong environmental sciences.
University of Haifa (Haifa) Fall (may earn only 3 credits due to length), spring or full year. Wide range of courses, including Hebrew and Arabic.
Hebrew University of Jerusalem Fall (may earn only 3 credits due to length), spring or full year. Wide range of courses.
For more info, visit the Office of Study Abroad.
After Graduation:
Knowing Hebrew can help you secure jobs in Israeli high-tech companies as well as work in many Jewish organizations. Here are some potential careers with Hebrew language skills:
- Hebrew language teacher at a Jewish school. Jewish people abroad want to keep in touch with their heritage.
- Teach English to Israelis, or, if you work in Israel, you become their go-to person for maintaining relationships with the English speaking world.
- You can do translation, interpretation, and subtitling.
- Many Israeli companies abroad would favor candidates with Hebrew skills, as a lot of internal communication would happen in Hebrew.
- If the work involves any aspect of the politics of the Middle East, you can be a journalist or policy analyst.
- Hindi-Urdu
Hindi-Urdu at Wesleyan:
In recent years, South Asia has assumed a growing influence internationally in such fields as politics, business, research, and the arts. Many in the US are introduced to Hindi-Urdu through the vibrant world of Bollywood cinema and music. The study of Hindi-Urdu is an ideal choice for students who hope to take advantage of new opportunities emerging in South Asia, and for those who aspire to engage in the international exchanges of ideas where Hindi-Urdu plays a prominent role.
Levels of Hindu-Urdu offered:
Students can learn Hindi-Urdu through two pathways: HIUR for Heritage learners and HIUR for non-Heritage learners or novice learners. For both pathways, HIUR is offered at the three levels which includes two semesters for each level - Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced. Every year an advanced course in HIUR language and literature is also offered. In these courses students will learn both Devanagari and Urdu scripts from native speakers. A Fulbright Hindi Foreign Language Teaching Assistant works closely with students and helps them understand the nuances in the Devanagari scrip and various dialects of Hindi.
Study Abroad:
Through Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) you can immerse yourself in Hindi-Urdu Program in Lucknow and Jaipur.
The Berkeley-AIPS Urdu Language Program in Pakistan (BULPIP-AIPS) is an intensive Urdu language immersion program based at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) in Pakistan.
Other opportunities:
- Carleton Global Engagement (Burmese Vihar Monastery, BodhGaya)
- Middlebury School in India (Delhi)
- SIT - India: Public Health, Policy Advocacy and Community (New Delhi)
- University of Wisconsin-Madison College Year in India (Varanasi/Madurai)
For more info, visit the Office of Study Abroad.
Extra Curricular Activities:
- South Asian (Hindi-Urdu) Film Series
- Celebrating South Asian rituals and Festivals
- Hindi-Urdu Language Table
- Visit to local communities and Desi Restaurants
- Exclusive Language and culture events hosted by a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA)
After Graduation:
Learning both Hindi and Urdu together ultimately gives students the ability to interact with close to 500 million people in South Asia as well as the opportunity to explore both secular and devotional literary traditions that go back to at least the sixteenth century, and explore professional opportunities in many fields.
- Italian
Approximately 85 million people worldwide speak Italian and Italy is the contemporary portal for the worldwide movement of peoples from East to West. Italian Studies (the study of Italian language, literature, and culture) brings together humanistic tradition and history and global concerns. The excellent language training Wesleyan students receive becomes the base from which to explore Italian history, culture, and society from the Middle Ages to the present. The rich and renewing curriculum enables students to develop and refine capabilities Wesleyan has defined as essential. Those capabilities that Italian Studies fosters and increases include writing, speaking, interpretation, intercultural literacy and effective citizenship, skills that are in service to a variety of professions and courses of study.
LEVELS OF STUDY
Elementary Italian 101& and &102
- The courses for students who have no prior knowledge of Italian. 101 is offered only in the Fall and 102 in the Spring.
- These courses meet three times weekly (MWF) with a fourth contact hour in a small group with one of the Course Assistants.
- Students use the same textbook for both courses.
- These courses are ampersanded, meaning that if you begin with 101, you must also take 102 to receive credit for both. If your exam places you in 102, you have two choices: take 101 in Fall and continue, receiving two credits, or join in the Spring, in which case, you will receive credit for 102 alone.
Intermediate Italian 111& and &112
- Intermediate Italian is the natural progression for students who enrolled in Elementary, an important sequence for anyone interested in study abroad, and available for the Italian Studies Major.
- Intermediate features an instructor-authored textbook, at no cost to students, and continues the three-times weekly meeting pattern in addition to a fourth contact hour weekly with Wesleyan’s Foreign Language Teaching Assistant, from the University of Bologna.
- After completing 112, students frequently attend Wesleyan’s E.C.Co. Program in Bologna.
- All coursework is conducted in Italian, whether in E.C.Co. courses or in University of Bologna courses, in which students directly enroll.
- During this immersion experience, students live with other University of Bologna students in student housing.
- Both Italian 221 and 222 are considered “fifth-semester” courses. These courses are not ampersanded.
- Typically, fifth-semester courses meet three times weekly in a MWF meeting pattern.
- Italian 221/222 is the natural progression from Intermediate Italian if you are on campus in the Fall.
- Both courses are ideal for students whose placement indicates a level above Intermediate Italian.
- In Fall 2022:
Italian 22+
- Advanced courses conducted in Italian on a wide array of topics and historical periods, ranging from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance to 20th and 21st centuries, from epic poetry to cinema and more.
- In Fall 2022:
- In Spring 2022:
- Students take nine courses over the level of 102.
- One course may be taken on an Italian subject and through the medium of English.
- All courses from Wesleyan’s E.C.Co. Program are accepted.
EXTRACURRICULARS/ADDITIONAL
- Italian Caffè
- Italian Game Night
- Italian movie nights
- WeScrive, Wesleyan’s only student magazine not in English
- Majors returning from overseas may apply to serve as a course assistant for Elementary Italian
- Japanese
Japanese at Wesleyan:
We offer a variety of Japan-related events on campus such as Weekly Japanese Language Table and bi-monthly Japanese Language Lunch.
Class size is usually limited to 12 -18 students. Japanese classes meet 5 times a week, plus weekly TA session for 1st year, four times a week for 2nd, three times for 3rd, and two times a week (for 80 minutes) for 4th year.
Levels of Japanese offered:
JAPN103: Elementary Japanese I
JAPN104: Elementary Japanese II
JAPN205: Intermediate Japanese I
JAPN206: Intermediate Japanese II
JAPN217: Third-Year Japanese I
JAPN218: Third-Year Japanese II
JAPN219: Fourth-Year Japnese I
JAPN220: Fourth-Year Japanese II
If you have prior exposure to Japanese, you may be able to start from the spring upon passing the placement exam. The Placement test consists of two parts: an online test and an oral interview with Prof. Naho Maruta.
Study Abroad:
CEAS Majors are required to study abroad in one of the East Asian countries including Japan. We have a variety of pre-approved programs in Japan including the Associated Kyoto Program (AKP) of which Wesleyan is one of the consortium institutions.
There are a variety of scholarships and fellowships available for study abroad in Japan:
- Bridging Foundation Scholarship
- Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship Program for U.S. Citizens
- Blakemore Foundation
- Boren Scholarship
- Critical Language Scholarships
- CEAS Summer Language Support
For more info, visit the Office of Study Abroad.
After Graduation:
Our graduates have gone on to careers in a variety of fields. Some participate in The Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET program) to teach English in Japan.
To give one example, a student who majored in Film & CEAS minor (Japanese studies) has been working for a company dealing with Japanese films by using her Japanese language skills gained at Wesleyan and study abroad in Japan.
- Korean
Korean at Wesleyan:
The Korean Language Program offers a wide range of on-campus activities you can participate in while studying Korean at Wesleyan, such as weekly Korean Language Tables, Korean Conversation Partners Program (for the learners in Intermediate and Advanced Korean), Korean Language Lunch Series (a series of lunchtime lectures in Korean), and Korean movie screenings.Levels of Korean offered:
Six semesters of Korean are taught at Wesleyan from elementary to advanced Korean. If you have prior exposure to the Korean language, you should take a placement test in order to determine which level to begin at. (Contact Prof. Hyejoo Back, hback@wesleyan.edu.)Study abroad opportunities:
College of East Asian Studies (CEAS) majors are recommended to undertake a semester or a year of study abroad in one of the following preapproved programs in South Korea: Korea University, Yonsei University, and Seoul National University. For more info, visit the Office of Study Abroad. CEAS also offers scholarships for summer language programs in Korea. Please visit CEAS for more information.What you can do after graduation:
Students who have studied Korean can pursue many different paths after graduation, such as teaching English at public/private schools in Korea, getting internships in Korea, and working as translators/ interpreters for K-pop, K-dramas, or K-movies. They can also pursue careers in fields such as business, law, and medicine.Where to find Korean online:
https://www.wesleyan.edu/ceas/
https://www.wesleyan.edu/wesvising/subjects/krea.html - Latin
Latin at Wesleyan:
Elegant and precise, profane and sublime, Latin offers a doorway not only to changing ancient aesthetics but also to new realms of thinking about the current cultural moment. In an era where the boundaries of our cultural and legal institutions are being redefined, the study of ancient Rome, and the language of its citizens, offer students historical perspectives and new ways to engage in the current debates, from approaches to constitutional protections and demagoguery, to race, ethnicity, media, and mass entertainment. Beyond the cognitive benefits of intensive language study, you will gain firsthand access to texts that bring Roman culture alive and that are constantly revived to influence modern politics, science, literature, philosophy, and history.
Levels of Latin offered:
Every year, we offer an introduction course, starting in the Fall and continuing in the Spring. Every semester, our intermediate and advanced classes are centered around texts of antiquity, exploring mythology, epic poetry, philosophy, and history.
Anyone can begin learning Latin with us by starting with LAT 101 and LAT102, but if you have previous experience with the language, we suggest having a conversation with a faculty member to determine the best level for you to immerse yourself in the language.
Study Abroad:
Majors are encouraged to spend a semester abroad, usually in the junior year, at a number of institutions with well-established programs in classical languages and civilizations, many of which provide opportunities to visit archaeological and historical sites in addition to coursework.
Those attending such programs may count up to 4 classes abroad toward their major, subject to pre-approval, and they can apply for small grants from the Squire Fund to help offset the costs.
For more info, visit the Office of Study Abroad.
After Graduation:
Classics Majors develop sharp language, critical, and analytical, skills that can be applied to modern careers such as medicine, law, and education, among many others.
They also have the highest combined GRE scores, the highest LSAT and UGPA scores, and the greatest success in law school.
- Portuguese
Portugese at Wesleyan:
Portuguese is the 6th or 7th most spoken language in the world, the 3rd most spoken European language, the most spoken language in South America and the Southern hemisphere.
If you are considering a semester abroad in a Portuguese-speaking country we recommend that you study Portuguese during your 2nd year at Wesleyan, closer to when you will study abroad which normally occurs during your junior year. You may petition for permission to study Portuguese during your first year.
Levels of Portuguese offered:
We offer one year of intensive Portuguese language (PORT155 in Fall, PORT156 in spring), the equivalent of intermediate because the course has a prerequisite of 4 semesters of another Romance Language (Spanish, French, Italian).
Study Abroad:
We offer the opportunity to study a full year of Brazilian Portuguese in an accelerated format for students who have a strong working knowledge of Spanish or another Romance language (the equivalent of SPAN, FREN or ITAL 112). Completion of both semesters is required for study abroad in Brazil or Portugal.
PORT 155-156 is required for study abroad in Brazil or Portugal through Wesleyan.
For more info, visit the Office of Study Abroad.
After Graduation:
Former students have taught English in Brazil, worked for the Peace Corps in Mozambique, provided
college prep for Brazilian scholars and athletes, volunteered with social justice programs in Brazil, and interned on organic farms in Portugal and Brazil. Volunteer, internship, fellowship, and grant opportunities are available, for students with a strong knowledge of Portuguese.
In the US, students who speak Portuguese are pursuing careers in the fields of immigration, AIDS education, law, medicine, finance, and others.
- Russian
Russian at Wesleyan:
The REES Program offers an inter-disciplinary range of courses in Russian language, history, politics, literature, culture, and film, as well as the culture and society of Eastern Europe and Eurasia. Russia continues to play a major role in global affairs, so the study of Russia occupies an important place in the Wesleyan curriculum, for both majors and non-majors.
There are two possible concentrations:
1. Language, literature, and culture: Majors must complete three years of college-level Russian or the equivalent, as well as five more courses.
2. Social sciences: Majors must complete two years of college-level Russian or the equivalent, as well as seven more courses chosen in consultation with an advisor.
Levels of Russian offered:
RUSS101: Elementary Russian I
RUSS102: Elementary Russian II
RUSS201: Intermediate Russian I
RUSS202: Intermediate Russian II
RUSS301: Third-Year Russian I
RUSS302: Third-Year Russian II
We also offer courses and tutorials on Russian literature, culture, and history, conducted in Russian.
If you have taken Russian before or are a heritage speaker, you should take the placement exam prior to registering to identify what level of Russian course you should take.
Study Abroad:
REES majors are highly encouraged to study abroad in Russia or other countries in the region. If you spend a semester studying on an approved program, you will receive four credits toward graduation, of which two count toward the major. If you study in the summer on an approved program, you receive two credits toward graduation, of which one counts toward the major.
For more info, visit the Office of Study Abroad.
After Graduation:
Our graduates have gone on to careers in research and cultural analysis, education, law, artistic production, diplomacy and public service, business, and communication.
- Spanish
Spanish at Wesleyan:
The Spanish program is designed to foster the linguistic proficiency and intercultural awareness necessary for living, studying, and working successfully in a Spanish-speaking environment, in the U.S. or abroad. While improving your ability to communicate in Spanish, you will learn about the breadth and diversity of Spanish-language literatures and cultures.
You can study all levels of Spanish. You can start from Spanish 101, which is the introductory course for students without prior Spanish language study, and go all the way to take seminars centered on the study of literature, cinema, art, theater, or cultural studies.
Levels of Spanish offered:
If you’ve taken the AP exam or the IB exam, your score will place you into one of these courses:
AP Spanish Language Exam:
3: Spanish 111
4: Spanish 112/113
5: Spanish 221AP Spanish Literature Exam:
3: Spanish 112/113
4: Spanish 221
5: Spanish 230 or aboveIB Exam:
Score of 6/7: Spanish 221
Without one of these indicators, you should take the Spanish language placement exam. The placement exam is available in your WesPortal.
Study Abroad:
We strongly urge HISP majors to consider Wesleyan’s own Program in Madrid or any of the programs in Latin America. For more info, visit the Office of Study Abroad.
Whichever program you choose, we urge you to consider the following:
- Opportunities to take regular courses designed for native speakers at the host university.
- Housing options that promote your cultural immersion.
- Opportunities for cultural enrichment beyond the classroom (e.g., museums, theater, cinema, concerts, and on-site learning through excursions).
- Opportunities for engagement in internships, special-interest activities or organizations, and regular contact with local undergraduates for the purpose of social interaction.
After Graduation:
Spanish is the second most widely spoken native language on Earth after Chinese. There are 21 countries in the world that list Spanish as an official language. Spanish is one of the six official languages of the United Nations. A selection of possible careers available to those with Spanish majors:
Education:- Bilingual Educator
- College Professor
Culture/Tourism:- Cultural Events Coordinator
- Travel Agent
- Translator/Interpreter
- Interpreter/Guide
Government:- National Security Agent
- Immigration Officer
- Court Interpreter
- Translator/Interpreter
- FBI Agent
- Foreign Diplomat Missionary
Business:- International Relations
- Foreign Exchange Trader
- Publishing Specialist
- Foreign Correspondent
- Proofreader
- Importer/Exporter
- International Banking Officer
- Bilingual customer support
- Alternative Language Study Options
For students wishing to study a language not offered at Wesleyan as part of the regular curriculum, the Alternative Language Study Options Program allows students to explore a wide range of language interests. Note that all credit bearing options in this program are CR/U.
Through this program students can:
- Start gaining language and culture skills in Less Commonly Taught Languages related to specific academic interests.
- Enhance their applications to fellowships, internships or graduate school.
- Learn some basic language skills before a study abroad experience.
- Maintain and expand language skills acquired while studying abroad.
- For heritage learners, improve specific aspects of their language proficiency (such as reading or writing skills).
Languages and levels available:
Many languages are available through this program and options depend on the modality of instruction. While Modern Greek and Swahili are usually listed in Wesmaps and taught as small courses, many other language options are available either at an introductory level or at a higher level through individual tutorials.
Modalities of study:
- Self-paced language study using Mango Languages Online (0.25 credit or not for credit)
- Small courses (up to 6 students) taught by an instructor either in person or online (0.5 credit)
- Supervised Independent Language Program (SILP): individual tutorial sessions with an instructor (0.5 credit)
Find out more about this program: