World Languages & Cultures Overview & Goals

Using an impressive variety of language options (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Biblical and Modern Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish), students in World Languages and Cultures engage in intensive, experiential, communicative learning experiences both inside and outside their classrooms.

Small class sizes, personal attention to students’ progress by dedicated language experts, and peer-taught practice sessions comprise an active learning environment. Languages and cultures come to life during participation in well-organized, affordable, short and longer-term international experiences; by integrating students and visitors from around the world into the curricular and extra-curricular activities; through opportunities to apply language skills in internship settings; and by organizing cultural events on campus. Majors showcase their achievements by presenting their capstone project and oral and written comprehensive exams predominantly in the language they study.

Our graduates have gone on to successful careers in business and industry, translation, travel and tourism, journalism, law, and public relations. Many have enrolled in prestigious graduate programs such as Georgetown University, University of Kentucky, Middlebury Institute of International Study, and the Instituto Franklin of the Universidad de Alcalá de Henares in Madrid, Spain.

German Studies (Major)
The interdisciplinary studies format of the German major allows students to add their own twist to the study of German language and culture. Majors have the opportunity to add a substantial number of courses of their choice to add a secondary emphasis to their studies. During their upper-level courses and in their capstone projects, they will be trained to handle these topics in German.

Critical to their language development, and essential to the development of cultural proficiency, is a fully integrated semester-long stay at the University of Education in Heidelberg, Germany. On campus, German majors are engaged in the German Club, help organize and participate in short–term study trips, and help as teaching assistants in beginner German courses.

Previous German majors have received Ph.Ds. from prestigious institutions such as The University of Cincinnati and Georgetown University, work in international business fields, and more.

Spanish (Major, Minor)
The Spanish Program at Bethany College currently offers both a Major and a Minor in Spanish. The list of Spanish courses include a wide variety of specific language, conversation and composition, civilization and literature courses covering both Spain and Spanish-speaking Latin America. Students pursuing Spanish have opportunities to: serve as Apprentice Teachers for Spanish Practice Sessions (levels I-III); study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country; become a member of the renowned Spanish National Honorary Society, Sigma Delta Pi; and participate in the Spanish Club.

Bethany College is affiliated with the prestigious Universidad de Navarra in Pamplona, Spain, where an eligible student could study abroad for a semester-long program. Spanish Program graduate alumni have gone on to graduate programs in fields such as Law, International Business, and Government, and have been successful in an array of professional fields.