About the Department

The Department of World Languages is dedicated to equipping graduates of this degree linguistically, culturally, and intellectually and for effective communication in and about languages and literatures other than English in a pluralistic American society and abroad.

The Spanish major is offered jointly through La Sierra University and the Adventist Colleges Abroad (ACA) schools in Argentina and Spain. Students wishing to declare the Spanish major must take the Spanish Placement Test administered by the Department of World Languages. A year abroad (3 quarters or 2 semesters) is required for all majors, except those who can give evidence of having completed secondary school studies in their native Spanish-speaking country in Latin America or Spain. For exact credit equivalencies from the ACA programs in Argentina or Spain for the Spanish major, consult with the World Language Department.

Adventist Colleges Abroad (ACA)

In cooperation with Adventist Colleges Abroad, the department offers to both the student majoring in language and to the general college student the privilege of study abroad without losing credits or necessarily lengthening the course of study. Students who carefully plan their program with the department and their assigned advisor may earn full credit for study at any of the overseas schools listed under Adventist Colleges Abroad in this Bulletin. Students enter this program for three quarters (nine months) beginning in September. To be eligible, the student must be admitted to La Sierra University. Although enrolled overseas, students are registered at this University; are considered in residence; and are eligible for scholarships, loans, and grants offered by the University. Credit earned is recorded each quarter by the Office of the Registrar. For more information concerning this program and its offerings, refer to the Adventist Colleges Abroad listing immediately following the Department of World Languages information in this bulletin.

Mission Statement

Because communication through language is a God-given gift, reflects the fundamental values of a culture, and lies at the heart of human experience, the Department of World Languages is dedicated to equipping both the general student and the language major linguistically, culturally, and intellectually to communicate effectively in and about languages and literatures other than English in a pluralistic American society and abroad.

(See American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century, Lawrence, KS: Allen Press, 2006: 7.)

Objectives

Students enrolled in language acquisition courses gain oral proficiency and cultural awareness to meet the University’s language requirement. Service learning, as well as summer and year abroad programs in collaboration with Adventist Colleges Abroad, deepens students’ experiences with language and culture. Students in the major program develop scholarship essential for teaching and for graduate study while acquiring skills in analytical thinking and understanding of cultural diversity.

Learning Outcomes

Students Learning Outcomes as follows:

  1. Listening & Reading Comprehension
  • Ability to understand in a target language through listening/reading.

       2. Oral & Written Proficiency

  • Achieving oral/written profiency in a target language by levels (ACTFL). Majors in Spanish will perform at advanced-mid level. 

       3. Intra- / Inter-linguistic Proficiency

  • Developing understanding of the structure of the target language. Ability to make comparisons with own language.

       4. Cultural Understanding

  • Increasing understanding and appreaciation of target language cultures and communities. 

       5. Associations

  • Furthering knowledge of other academic disciplines and areas of interest.

       6. Extra-Curricular Use of Language

  • Using target language beyond classroom.

       7. Integration of Faith & Learning

  • Nurturing and encouraging faith and learning, emphasizing community and service.