I. GENERAL GOALS FOR ALL PROGRAMS AND LANGUAGES TAUGHT 

1. The teaching of all courses will reflect the appropriate application of SRU’s University-Wide Outcomes for Student Learning and Development that can be found at:  http://www.sru.edu/Pages/2956.asp

    

2. The teaching of all courses will reflect the appropriate application of the following standards for foreign language learning as stipulated by ACTFL:
   

   STANDARDS FOR FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING http://www.actfl.org/files/public/execsumm.pdf (for more detailed descriptions)

          Communication:  Communicate In Languages Other Than English

•       Standard 1.1:  Students engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings, emotions and opinions
•       Standard 1.2:  Students understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics
•       Standard 1.3:  Students present information, concepts and ideas on a variety of topics

Cultures:  Gain knowledge and understanding of other cultures

•       Standard 2.1:  Students demonstrate understanding of the relationship between practices and perspectives of the culture studied
•       Standard 2.2:  Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the products and perspectives of the cultures studied

Connections:  Connect with other disciplines and acquire information

•       Standard 3.1:  Students reinforce and further knowledge of other disciplines through the foreign language
•       Standard 3.2. Students acquire information and recognize the distinctive viewpoints that are only available through the foreign language student and its cultures.

Comparisons:  Developing insights into the nature of language and culture

•       Standard 4.1:  Students demonstrate understanding of the nature of language through comparisons of the language studied and their own.
•       Standard 4.2:  Students demonstrate understanding of the concept of culture through comparisons of the cultures studied and their own.

Communities:  Participate in multilingual communities at home and around the world

•       Standard 5.1:  Students use foreign language both within and beyond school setting.
•       Standard 5.2:  Students show evidence of becoming life-long learners by using the language for personal enjoyment and enrichment.

II. GOALS SPECIFIC FOR THE MAJOR PROGRAMS IN FRENCH AND SPANISH:

•       To provide majors in which students develop language skills to the advanced level of proficiency as defined by the ACTFL Guidelines. Students will successfully communicate both orally and in writing on a variety of topics.

•       To provide students with a background of language, literature, and civilization that will qualify students for graduate studies in the target language.

•       To provide students with a language background that would qualify them for professional work in American and international businesses.

•       To provide students with a broad cultural knowledge that will allow them to understand current issues involving the target countries.

•       To provide students with comprehensive research skills for analyzing issues and characteristics of the countries where the languages are used.

•       To provide students with the technological skills necessary for prospective career choices as well as for becoming effective researchers.

•       To provide contexts for language practice both inside and outside of the classroom to ensure that students maximize their potential for language acquisition.