At the most practical level, most of the people in the world do not speak English as a native language. Cultures and cultural values vary across the globe from ethnic group to ethnic group. One of the main reasons for Americans to study foreign languages is to gain a better knowledge of the multi-cultural modern world in which we live. A knowledge of other languages and cultural values can provide life enrichment and a deeper understanding of how to counteract and resolve political, social, and religous values in a world in which Americans live and interact on a daily basis.

Undergraduate Programs

Language programs are open to all students who meet Ball State's general admissions requirements.  It is possible to complete any of the programs in foreign languages in four years, but you should begin language study early.  Normally, two years of foreign language study in high school equals one year of college study.  To be certain of correct level placement and to receive credit for language work done in high school, you are required to take the Placement Exam.  In order to earn a bachelor of arts degree, you must complete two years of study in one language.

Departmental Major in Classical Culture, Classical Languages, French, German, or Spanish - 33 hours

Departmental Major in Japanese - 37 hours

Departmental Minor in Classical Culture, or classical Languages, French, German, or Spanish - 15 hours

Departmental Minor in Chinese - 19 hours

Departmental Minor in Japanese - 22 hours

Teaching Major in French, German, Latin, or Spanish - 36 hours

Teaching Major in Japanese - 37 hours

Elementary Education Major with a concentration area in Chinese, Classical Culture, French, German, Greek, Japanese, Latin, or Spanish - 15 hours

Departmental Options

In addition to course in Latin and Greek, the classics program offers classics courses in translation and the Latin element in English.  Several of these courses may be used to fulfill University Core Curriculum requirements, and/or requirements for a major or minor in Classical Culture.  All courses in Modern Languages and Classics satisfy the UCC Humanities requirement.  Courses in commercial Spanish, French, Japanese, and German are taught regularly.  Ball State also offers first and second courses in Italian, Korean, Portuguese and Arabic.

Language Study Abroad and Outside the Classroom

Ball State offers several exchange and study abroad programs in different countries, such as France, Germany, Japan, and Mexico.  Students can also be involved in language clubs and two national foreign language honoraries.  Internship opportunities (paid or unpaid) may be available for selected language majors.  Students majoring in the teaching of modern languages and classics are required to participate in a language study program, either during the summer or academic year, in a country where their respective language is spoken. (Students of Latin will design a program of cultural study in consultation with the Classics faculty.) To this end, our department supports the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) and the KIIS Consortium (Kentucky Institute for International Studies).

Faculty and Teaching

The seventeen tenure-track department faculty members hold earned doctorates in foreign and classical languages.  Eight additional full-time faculty members also hold doctoral degrees.  Faculty members are engaged in active research in addition to teaching full course loads.  Classes in modern languages are kept small to enable students to practice speaking as well as writing, reading, and listening.

Facilities

The foreign language laboratory's large collection of cassettes, videotapes, movies, cds, and dvds helps you become more fluent in the language you are studying.  The Department's state-of-the-art electronic classrooms enable the students to utilize better technology and modern communicative methodology in their learning.

Career Options with a Language Major

Included among the numerous professions in which a knowledge of foreign languages can be helpful are the following: government service, social work, architecture, engineering, journalism, public relations, library service, archaeology, philosophy, medicine, the travel industry, telecommunications, music, theater, and research scholarship.

At Ball State, the Department of Telecommunications recognizes the extreme importance of foreign language study and requires a two-year foreign language component of all its majors.

Learning a language can expand your career opportunities by preparing you to work in a variety of environments.  Language skills and cultural sensitivity are quickly becoming vital assets to a growing number of careers as the need for multilingual employees increases.  For example, you may want to major in a particular foreign language and become certified to teach. This would enable you to take a job either teaching that foreign language, teaching English as a foreign language, or teaching in a bilingual setting.  Combining languages with the study of business can help prepare the student for jobs in foreign commerce, including banking, marketing, import-export, purchasing, finance, advertising, consulting, etc. Combining language with law studies could lead to a career in international law. 

Included among the numerous professions, in which a knowledge of foreign languages can be helpful, are the following: government service, social work, architecture, engineering, journalism, public relations, library service, archaeology, philosophy, medicine, the travel industry, telecommunications, music, theater, and research scholarship. 

Some of our graduates have entered these professions:

• International Business
• Government Service
• Foreign Diplomat
• Importer/Exporter
• Journalism
• Law Enforcement
• Librarian
• Public Relations Specialist
• Social Work
• Teaching (K-12 and University level)
• Telecommunications
• Translator/Interpreter

Language and business studies can prepare you for work in international commerce, such as:

• banking
• marketing
• import export
• purchasing
• finance
• advertising
• consulting
  

Other professions in which knowledge of languages can be helpful may include:

• government service
• social work
• architecture
• engineering
• journalism
• public relations
• library service
• archaeology
• philosophy
• medicine
• the travel industry
• telecommunications
• music
• theater
• research

Careers that benefit or require language skills:

Communications

• International telephone operators
• Foreign news correspondents
• Foreign news photographers
• Translators of books, articles, and reviews
• Film production and entertainment media
• Editors for university and other presses
  

Business

• Fashion buyers
• Personnel managers
• Public relations experts
• Business executives
• Representatives of foreign companies
• International banking and finance
• International lawyers and patent attorneys
  

Government Services

• Diplomatic corps
• Court interpreters and translators
• U.S. customs agents
• U.S. Naturalization Service agents
• U.S. Postal Service
• Intelligence work
  

Social Services

• Nursing in ethnic communities
• Law enforcement officers
• Public assistance interviewers
• Health services
• Multilingual defense attorneys
  

Information Services

• Translators of foreign publications in private and public libraries
• Classifiers of foreign documents
• Research librarians, library acquisition specialists
  

Education

• Textbook authors and editors
• Public education teachers in bilingual settings
• Language teachers
• University schools of education
• Teaching of English as a Second Language (TESOL)
• Overseas teaching for private corporations and international schools
  

Scientific Fields

• Scientific research and translating
• Archaeology
• Museum studies
• Hospital management
• Studying or practicing medicine in the United States or overseas
  

Travel Services

• Hotel and resort staff and management
• Travel agents
• Airline flight attendants
• Airport personnel
• Foreign travel advisors
• Tour guides