With the development of an increasingly global economy, the ability to communicate in multiple languages will make students both more culturally diverse and more attractive to prospective employers.
Senior Spanish major Jeffrey Acosta believes that his knowledge of multiple languages will benefit him both professionally and personally. “In the time we live today, not only will learning another language help with possible employment opportunities, but you can also learn about other cultures which leads to understanding misconceptions and a more accepting tomorrow,” said Acosta.
In the past 10 years, the modern languages department at Shepherd has grown to include a Spanish major and a French minor. Additionally, introductory German classes are taught each semester. There are currently three full-time foreign language professors—Rachel Krantz, Denis Berenschot and Eva-Maria Suárez Büdenbender—and six adjunct professors.
“I feel the Spanish department has excellent teachers, and I appreciate their help as I have grown in my understanding of the language,” said Miranda Beahm, a senior English major and Spanish minor.
Recent years have also seen an increase in the number of departmental activities and study abroad programs. The creation of Shepherd University’s French club last year resulted in an increase in cultural activities on campus. The club, initiated by adjunct French professor Lois Jarman, has organized events such as movie nights, poetry readings and bingo nights.
These cultural activities have reached beyond the Shepherd campus as well. Students and professors regularly participate in events within the surrounding communities, including the Shepherdstown Public Library and Be-hive, a nonprofit organization in Martinsburg, W.Va.
As of fall 2014, the club will change names to the Modern Language Club and incorporate activities from a wider variety of cultures.
“We are hoping that the forming of a modern language club will offer a venue for events and activities that represent all the languages taught at Shepherd,” said Jarman. “It will enable language learners to participate in cultural activities outside the classroom in an effort to increase awareness.”
The modern language department also regularly organizes study abroad programs to places such as Costa Rica, Québec and France.
Despite the apparent student interest in foreign languages, the modern languages department at Shepherd is facing a reduction in course offerings.
This decreasing emphasis on foreign language study is a nationwide issue. Because so many universities are under pressure to balance their budgets and reduce spending, foreign language courses across the country have been taking a big hit. According to Forbes magazine, “In 2009–2010, only 50.7 percent of higher education institutions required foreign language study for a baccalaureate, down from 67.5 percent in 1994–1995.”
Shepherd is no exception to this national decline, and there will be fewer foreign language courses offered each semester. Beginning in fall 2014, the introductory French courses will be offered on an alternating schedule, with 101 and 203 being offered in the fall and 102 and 204 being offered in the spring.
In addition to the reduced number of French courses, the Spanish program is currently on five-year probation after a review by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. Due to complications with how double majors are being counted, the program did not achieve the “magic number” for course enrollment and declared majors, according to Krantz.
“I wish there were more class options to choose from, as there are classes that are only offered once every few semesters, which greatly limits the topics of study available,” said Beahm.
Due to dropping enrollment numbers, the French minor is also in danger of being phased out despite a recent program review which suggested building on the program.
The reduction in course offerings is largely due a decline in the number of students who are required to take a foreign language to graduate. Presently, only four degree programs require any foreign language courses. Students studying for a Bachelor of Arts degree, except education, are required to take 12 credit hours of a language.
However, with the development of Bachelor of Science degree options in programs such as psychology and communications, the number of students who must complete a foreign language requirement could continue to shrink.
Another possible reason that some students are hesitant to commit to foreign language study is the minimal instruction they receive in grade school. A statistic from the Global Language Project, a non-profit corporation, says, “21 of the top 25 industrialized countries begin the study of world languages in grades K–5, while the majority of U.S. students begin studying a second language at age 14.”
By starting language education so late, students are often unprepared to continue at the collegiate level. “A lot of people come to Shepherd not having had sufficient language background to enable them to complete a major or minor in the right amount of time. They’re basically starting off in 101,” said Krantz.
Despite the decreasing amount of foreign language requirements at universities nationwide, the benefits of learning another language continue to grow. “It gets your CV noticed. It gets you a job, but not just any job, a job that is probably better paid and more exciting,” said Krantz.
According to the U.S. Committee on Economic Development, the U.S. will “need employees with knowledge of foreign languages and cultures to market products to customers around the globe and to work effectively with foreign employees and partners in other countries.”
According to the Global Language Project, 80 percent of students in Europe speak at least two languages, while 14 percent of U.S. students consider themselves bilingual.
Even though there is a demand for multi-lingual employees in the U.S., the number of students enrolling in foreign language classes at Shepherd does not reflect this need.
“There is currently not enough student demand to justify offering more classes,” said Betty Ellzey, chair of the department of English and modern languages.
Ellzey would like to see more programs incorporate a foreign language requirement. Because we live in a global economy, a variety of other programs such as business, nursing and social work would benefit from this requirement, Ellzey said.
When asked about how the modern language program could be improved, Acosta said, “I think it is fantastic so far, I would just love to see it grow. If there was more of a focus on languages and their importance in society in other majors, I feel that enrollment would improve and there could be growth.”
As the world becomes an increasingly global community, knowledge of a variety of languages and cultures is helpful for both practical and personal reasons. “When you study another language and culture, you almost always are starting from your point-of-view and your language, and you are led to introspect,” said Krantz. “I see language as a gateway to culture.”
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