Multiple studies link the benefits of language learning to:
The following professions are seeing an increased need for language skills:
Language is considered a critical part of a liberal arts education. Part of Grand Valley State University's vision and strategic priorities are to "inspire and equip students to be active life-long learners and global citizens" and to require global learning of all undergraduate majors. This does not mean that we expect all students to become fluent, but instead to have exposure to a second language and culture, which in turn leads to practical language skills. The Modern Languages and Literatures Department's language courses offer not just the chance to study a language, but to actively engage with another culture on its own terms. Learn more about why language?
The LRC is a learning lab and collaborative resource center for all students, not just language majors, it is a place for community. A few of its offerings include:
Courses:
Courses:
Courses:
Established to encourage and assist language students to study abroad and gain life experience in the language they are studying at Grand Valley.
Trazy still uses her Spanish skills every day, whether greeting hungry families, or advocating on behalf of those who are looking for resources within the community, or providing cultural competency to programming happening within immigrant communities.
Richard Rossow (Rick) is a senior adviser and holds the Wadhwani Chair in U.S.-India Policy Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a prominent think tank in Washington, DC.
Increased cultural awareness gained through studying a foreign language and participating in a study-abroad program has helped him throughout his career by giving him the skills needed to interact with people from varying backgrounds.
