Modern Foreign Languages

The department of foreign languages, literatures, and cultures offers a major and minor in modern foreign languages with four year instruction in the following languages: arabic, french, german, italian, and spanish. in addition, the department provides offers minors in chinese and russian and two-year instruction in latin, korean, japanese, portuguese, ancient greek, and persian. through the department’s course offerings, study abroad programs, organizations and clubs, and the presence of faculty with research areas in diverse foreign cultures, the department embodies cultural diversity, particularly international diversity. the programs in the foreign language, literatures, and cultures department are designed for the following purposes: to teach the student to understand and speak a language with facility; develop skills in reading and writing; to provide an acquaintance with foreign literatures; develop an appreciation of foreign cultures; and to prepare students for the teaching profession, government work, international trade and research leading to advanced degrees. minors are also offered in the concentrations mentioned above

There is no formal internship or practicum program offered through the department of foreign language, literatures, and cultures. however, there are several informal ways to gain experience and/or exposure to this field. jmu sponsors the studies abroad program, which allows eligible students to study a semester abroad in italy or spain. you will find a number of foreign language clubs on campus (cercle francophone, deutschverein, hispanic studies club, italian cultural society, russian club), designed to take the experience of foreign cultures out of the classroom and into your life. spanish students of professional minors gain experience through practicum in various local offices, clinics and the hospital.

• Type: Mandatory

• Duration: Contact us for up-to-date information

• Fees: Contact us for up-to-date information

Many graduates choose typical career paths associated with this major. however, some graduates choose unrelated careers that utilize skills and experiences developed during their years in college. keep in mind, that some fields will require graduate study or further training. the listing below offers examples of possible career paths and is not meant to be comprehensive. airport customer service agent benefits coordinator border patrol agent broadcaster community services director consultant court interpreter cultural affairs director customs agent editorial assistant entertainment coordinator esl teacher export purchasing agent flight attendant foreign film dubber foreign language educator foreign news correspondent foreign service officer foreign student advisor guest services manager human resource assistant immigration officer import/export specialist intelligence officer- fbi/cia/nsa international communications specialist international conference planner interpreter/ technical translator journalist linguist lobbyist marketing assistant museum assistant peace corps worker public relations specialist research assistant sales and marketing coordinator social worker special events coordinator studies abroad coordinator technical writer tour/ travel guide tourism director travel agent

Work while you study

First-year students can only work on campus, and only under certain conditions. In the second year, students can work in practical, curricular or elective jobs. Students may be allowed to consider other types of employment, depending on their circumstances.

Partnerships

Most universities in United States have partnerships with different companies and organisations to ensure their students get enough professional training as students. In addition to increasing their students' chances to get hired by one of the universities. James Madison University has partnerships with the following companies: