Welcome to the Department of Foreign Languages at San José State University
where we offer comprehensive programs in a variety of world languages: Arabic,
Chinese (minor, BA, Teacher preparation), French (minor, BA, MA, Teacher
Preparation), German (minor, BA), Greek, Hebrew, Italian (minor), Japanese
(minor, BA), Latin, Portuguese (minor equivalency), Punjabi, Spanish (minor, BA,
MA, Teacher Preparation), and Vietnamese. In addition, the Department offers
special minors in Foreign Languages for International Business majors in
Chinese, French, German, Japanese and Spanish.
Coming from many parts of the world, Foreign Language Department faculty are
highly qualified, accomplished and dedicated teachers and scholars who prepare
students to become tomorrow’s productive citizens in an increasingly
multicultural, multilingual global community. We actively support study abroad,
clubs and other organizations related to world languages and international
studies at San José State University. The Department promotes proficiency in
languages, knowledge of cultures and literatures and a genuine appreciation of
differences and similarities shared among peoples and nations.
Useful information regarding programs, curricula, and scholarship
opportunities at the undergraduate and graduate levels can be found on this
Department of Foreign Languages site. Please feel free to email me for questions
or comments: dominique.vanhooff@sjsu.edu
DFL Mission
Multilingual by the nature of its programs, multicultural by the make-up of
its faculty, and international by the projection of its offerings, the
Department of Foreign Languages seeks to develop in students the ability to
communicate effectively with people who speak languages other than English and
whose world views and cultural values may differ substantially from their own.
Today, the study of foreign languages help students to internationalize their
professional profiles by affording them a strong competitive advantage in
pursuing opportunities in today’s global economy and culture. In addition,
students who undertake the advanced study of foreign languages can contribute to
the prosperity and security of the country.
After development of the four basic language skills (listening comprehension,
speaking, reading and writing) our programs seek to create an understanding and
appreciation of the great works of classical and modern world literature in
their original language, as well as in translation. The exposure to new and
original patterns of language and thought as well as to the distinct cultural
values reflected in many of these works will necessarily broaden our students’
understanding of the world which exists beyond the confines of their own
linguistic and cultural environment. It should also lead them, through
comparative analysis, to a better understanding of the structure of their own
language and the cultural and thought patterns it reflects and engenders. With
such an understanding of themselves and of other peoples, gained through the
study of foreign languages, literature and cultures, students will be ready to
enter today’s global community as teachers, civil servants, business
professionals, translators and interpreters and in the myriad of other careers
where the ability to communicate is the sine qua non of success.
Department Goals based on the Mission Statement
Develop students’ language skills: listening
comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing as a basis for advanced study.
Broaden our students' understanding of the world
beyond the confines of their own linguistic and cultural milieu and expose
them to new and original patterns of language and thought and to the distinct
cultural values reflected in many of these works.
Guide students, through comparative thinking, to a
better understanding of the structure of their own language and the cultural
and thought patterns it reflects and engenders.
Create in our students an understanding and
appreciation of works of world literature in their original language, as well
as in translation.
Prepare students for entry into today's global
community as teachers, civil servants, business professionals, translators and
other careers requiring communication skills in more than one language.
Maintain the multicultural nature of the faculty and
the diversity of students in the Department programs.
Maintain outreach to the local community and the
academic world through academic events, faculty and student scholarship, and
publications.
View "Studying Foreign Languages at San José State University" (link)
