Language courses put students in direct interaction with authentic cultural materials created in other languages and increase their capacity to understand the perspective of other people and cultures. When students communicate in another language, even at a basic level, they experience new modes of speaking and new modes of listening and interpreting the expressions of others. Language study has always been part of Jesuit education, but now, at the beginning of the 21st century, increased global connectedness makes it all the more important that our students have experience communicating in languages other than English.
Courses in language study actively involve the four skills of language learning: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Courses also introduce students to cultural materials relevant to the area of language study.
Students must complete the 1030 level or equivalent (beginning intermediate level) if they continue with the same language that they studied in high school; those who place above this level (1030), as determined by a proctored placement test given on campus, are exempt from the Core language requirement. If students choose to start a new language rather than continue with their previously studied language, they must complete a two-course sequence (1010-1020).
Language courses are offered by the Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Cultures (CMLC).