Modern Languages

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Learning a language other than English offers real advantages.  In a world where people are culturally and linguistically diverse, businesses and cultural organizations of every size are international in their scope.  Language skills are useful in almost every career and essential to success in many fields.  Of equal importance, language study offers introduction to the ways in which other cultures construct thought and make meaning. Language study offers preparation for successful study abroad experiences and international internships as well as for the demands of living in a global environment.

Mission

The mission of the Modern Languages Department to promote communicative competence in world languages and provide the student with a solid foundation for the development of cultural understanding across a broad array of social contexts and settings.

Objectives

Besides equipping students with the necessary tools to become excellent communicators and rigorous thinkers, foreign language degree programs at Bryant also prepare students to live and work within an increasingly international context. These programs are designed to improve cross-cultural understanding and international awareness, as the knowledge of at least one foreign language has become indispensable in today's economic and political interdependence of nations. Our program objectives are as follows:

1. to promote communicative competence in a second language in spoken and written modalities
2. to promote and encourage the appreciation of the media and literature of the target cultures and
3. to prepare students to use the target languages in travel, study abroad and professional contexts.

Programs

The Department of Modern Languages offers programs in Chinese, French, Italian, and Spanish. The Bryant language program emphasizes immersion, with classes conducted in the target language. Courses also integrate culture, history, literature, and other creative productions into the learning experience. In each language area, the department offers classes to introduce students to language specific to business and other career areas.

Modern Language Minors

Modern Language minors are available in Chinese, French, Italian and Spanish. Each language minor requires four courses (12 credits); out which one may be at the 200 level and at least three must be at the 300 and 400 levels. Six credits must be earned at Bryant.

Requirements

• *ML-CH/FR/IT/SP 305 - Reading and Writing (3 credits)
•   ML-CH/FR/IT/SP 404 - Language for Business (3 credits) 
•   at least 1 additional course at the Advanced Level

*Heritage speakers of Spanish take ML-SP306

Learning Goals

Students who complete a Modern Language minor will

• identify main ideas and most details on topics of personal background or basic needs and interests in face-to-face or simulated telephone conversations, instructions and directions, simple announcements and media reports in the target language.
• use the target language in simple conversations on topics involving immediate needs in a way that is culturally appropriate and can be understood by native speakers not accustomed to dealing with speakers at this level.
• recall and paraphrase short, straightforward written descriptions of persons, places, and things written in the target language for a wide audience on familiar topics of general interest.
• write simple letters, brief synopses, narratives and paraphrases of biographical data, work and school experience in the target language in a way that is culturally appropriate and can be understood by native speakers not accustomed to dealing with the writing of non-natives.