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CWU offers a campus atmosphere where everyone feels like they belong — a place where people feel at home.
It's easy to apply at CWU, and our team of professionals can walk you through everything you need to know.
CWU features more than 135 degree programs, and we are recognized nationally in a variety of key disciplines.
CWU serves more than 10,000 students every year, priding ourselves on accessibility, affordability, and personability.
Student success is our top priority, and CWU's staff and faculty go out of their way to put people on a path to greatness.
Activities abound across the CWU campus, with clubs, internships, employment opportunities, and NCAA athletic programs.
Learning to speak two or more languages is important for anyone who wishes to succeed globally. Being multilingual prepares you for today's world economies, multinational corporations, cultural diversity, and international diplomacy.
Amy Jenkins
worldlanguages@cwu.edu
Visit Department Website
Minor in American Sign Language
Minor in Chinese
Minor in French
Minor in German
Minor in Heritage Spanish
Minor in Japanese
Minor in Russian
Deaf and Sign Language Studies
College of Education and Professional Studies
Heritage Spanish
Degree Type:
Department Contact:
Department Website: https://www.cwu.edu/foreign-language/
The Deaf and Sign Language Studies (DSLS) major adopts an interdisciplinary and integrative approach to studying the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community and individuals in national and global societies. The program elevates awareness of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals and heightens linguistic knowledge and cultural appreciation while engaging and collaborating within their communities. Analysis of existing identities, stereotypes, and policies promotes learners to evaluate areas of needs in enforcing change for the betterment of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community. Note: CWU also offers American Sign Language (ASL) minor.
Students studying DSLS/ASL can find careers in but not limited to; education, social services, business, tourism, and government. This program is also ideal for students aiming to become ASL interpreters or educators after graduation (additional training/courses may be necessary).
Why this program?
CWU offers small, student-centered classes in American Sign Language (ASL). Students study not only the ASL but also the rich culture, history, and society. Resources available to students to support their journey throughout the courses at CWU include but are not limited to ASL Resource Center, ASL Club, and community events. Course modalities are hybrid, online, and distance learning. ASL minor is also available for students interested in pursuing this field in a smaller scope.
Department Website: http://www.cwu.edu/foreign-language/
French is the only language, besides English, that is considered a global language, meaning it is spoken throughout the world. It is the language spoken by the United States' largest trading partner, Canada, and is the international language of cooking, fashion, architecture, and theater.
According to the Consulate General of France, an ability to speak French is an advantage on the international job market. France is the world's fifth largest economy and number three destination for foreign investment.
France is the world's number one tourist destination, attracting more than 70 million visitors each year. Being able to speak French makes a visit to Paris or the other regions of France much more enjoyable and rewarding. Ça te dit?
The focus of the Heritage Spanish major is to help Spanish speakers who communicate effectively in their home or community language, or who have lived in a Spanish-speaking country for an extended period of time, to more fully develop their Spanish language competency.
Studying Heritage Spanish offers native Spanish speakers, who would largely be considered bilingual, to gain greater mastery of the language both in oral and written form.
At CWU, the Heritage Spanish major is specifically designed for students who have a personal, familial, or community connection to Spanish to develop Spanish language proficiency. It provides students with an opportunity to build upon their existing linguistic and cultural knowledge.
Japan is one of America's most important trading partners and has had close economic and societal ties to the U.S. in the past half-century. Students interested in the Pacific Rim would benefit from understanding the language, culture and history of the home of Sony, Pokemon, Hello Kitty, and Toyota.
As the world becomes increasingly global, students proficient in Japanese will be well-positioned for positions in government, finance, tourism, translation, teaching, and international relations. CWU offers a BA and a minor in Japanese, as well as a BA in Japanese teaching.
Japan boasts one of the oldest and most culturally rich societies in the world. Studying Japanese at CWU offers opportunities to study abroad and learn more about the history, people, and culture of this fascinating country.
Russia is a major player when it comes to the world stage. As a result, those who understand Russian and are knowledgeable about Russian history and culture are in high demand in a number of careers.
Students studying Russian can find careers in government, foreign service, military, journalism, international non-governmental organizations, business, education, and tourism.
CWU offers small, student-centered classes in Russian. Students study not only the Russian language but also the country's rich culture, history, and society. Courses are collaborations with other departments that incorporate Russian film, literature, and politics.
Around the world there are more than 400 million Spanish speakers. Learning to speak Spanish is the key to success in a wide variety of careers particularly in business, tourism, communication, medicine, and education.
As the Hispanic population in the U.S. has grown by 60 percent in the past decade, the need for employees fluent in Spanish has similarly increased. A degree in Spanish helps prepare students for jobs in teaching, as translators and interpreters, in government work and much more.
CWU students majoring in Spanish have excelled at presentations and conferences in the past year, including: - Omar Manzo, a Douglas Honors College student majoring in Spanish and minoring in political science, presented research at the National Technology and Social Science Conference in Las Vegas. - Yazmin Aquilar, Spanish and social services major, presented at a panel at the Students of Color Conference in Yakima.
Why world languages at CWU?
World Languages students gain hands-on experience in skills-based classes and programs built to enhance your language degree or minor.
CWU students have access to the Learning Resource Center, a free service that assists students in mastering a world language.
With this major you will learn to develop your language skills and fluency and communicate with a broader network—locally and internationally.
CWU students are encouraged to study abroad and or take part in the University Exchange program. Study Abroad programs include: Cultural Ambassador Program in Spain; Japan Exchange and Teaching Program; South and Central America Exchange; France University Exchange; and Russia Study Abroad
Graduates of Central's World Languages program find jobs as: Translators and Interpreters Ambassadors Foreign Service Officers International English Teachers Commodities Traders.
World languages students learn to improve their cultural knowledge and better understand the world and how we're all connected.
Connect with World Languages at CWU
World Languages & Cultures prepares students for a broad variety of career paths and offers exceptional opportunities to engage and connect. From a vast array of study abroad options to interactive courses, your journey will be one defined by the development of key intercultural communication and language skills.
World Languages Day
Language Specializations
There are many benefits to knowing more than one language. It can help when you're traveling, working internationally, and can even help you get a job since employers see language skills as a benefit for prospective employees. Choose one of these languages to study at CWU:
Experience World Languages at CWU
CWU students can participate in Spanish Boot Camp, a summer program where they'll hike a 9th-century pilgrimage route known as the Camino de Santiago while intensively studying the Spanish language and Spain's vibrant cultures and history. Click here to find out more.
World languages students have excellent opportunities for networking through a number of student organizations including: CWU Language and Cultural Clubs; Annual World Languages Day; Annual Students of Color Conference; and the Chavez-King Leadership Institute for Social Change.
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