Modern Languages

College of Arts and Sciences

The Faculty of Arts and Letters

Stroud Hall, Room 208

570-422-3407

www.esu.edu/ml

 

About the Program

Studying a language at East Stroudsburg University offers students an ideal opportunity to broaden their intellectual horizons, improve their communication skills, and gain a genuine understanding of another culture. Students may greatly enhance their prospects of employment by pursuing language study in conjunction with such disciplines as Business, Health Studies, Psychology, Hotel/Restaurant/Tourism, English, History, Communications, and many other fields.

Employment / Career Opportunities

As employment opportunities become increasingly international in their orientation, language majors are finding new career possibilities in the realms of international business, media or technology. With a careful selection of courses supplementing their language major, it is possible for a student to pursue graduate studies in medicine, business, or law. Whatever a student’s professional interest, pursuing the study of another language can only enhance the potential for success while increasing marketability.

Programs

The primary mission of our Department is to offer students a comprehensive program of studies in Spanish. Students may choose from a Bachelor of Arts degree -- typically leading to a career in translation, business, government, non-profits, or social services -- or a Bachelor of Science degree, which includes K-12 teaching certification.

Three minors are offered, each with distinct strands of language, culture and workforce-related content:

  • Spanish
  • Spanish for the Professions
  • Chinese Language and Culture

 

Other languages may also be offered, whether on a traditional basis or via individualized instruction or a distance modality. These include Arabic, Greek, Japanese, Latin, Portuguese and Russian. 

Whatever the level of language study chosen by the student, the basic goal remains the same: to acquire useful proficiency in that language with meaningful cultural knowledge. In its pursuit of these goals, the department follows the guidelines and standards established by such professional organizations as the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), the Modern Language Association (MLA), the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP; formerly NCATE) and the various professional organizations affiliated with those languages in which degrees are offered (AATSP and CLTA).

Overseas Travel/Study/Internships

Global opportunities offer students unparalleled insight into different languages and cultures, and also shed new light on professional possibilities. Study abroad is a transformative experience on many levels. The great majority of ESU language majors and minors opt to spend a month, a semester or a full academic year in another country. ESU’s Office of International Programs assists students with choosing a destination, academic integration of overseas credits, financial planning and issues of acculturation. As a member of the National Student Exchange (NSE) and the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP), ESU ensures that students receive the widest possible selection of destinations at the lowest possible cost. In addition, internships can be arranged in the U.S. and abroad, enhancing the student's professional prospects upon graduation.

Are you interested in ...

  • Becoming fluent in a second or third language?
  • Gaining a competitive edge with a valuable second major or minor?
  • Unique travel experiences?
  • Exploring other cultures in-depth?

Choose Modern Languages at ESU for...

  • Small class sizes
  • Skilled faculty from around the world
  • Intersections with Business, Health Studies, etc.
  • Extensive career placement
  • State-of-the-art Language Learning Center
  • Affordable study abroad options

Career Potential

  • Language Educator
  • Translator / Interpreter
  • Hospitality Program Manager
  • Bilingual Specialist in Healthcare, Sales, Social Work
  • Linguist

Career Settings

  • K-12 Schools
  • International Business
  • Media Communications
  • Digital Services/Web Development
  • Technology
  • United Nations or Peace Corps
  • Graduate School

 

More detailed career information is available from the department.