Learning Outcomes | French

After Pacific | Students who major or minor in French at Pacific University develop a high level of proficiency in the language and the skills needed to pursue advanced study or enter the workforce in the United States or abroad.

Why Study French?

Learning French prepares you to work in a global community, where French is the official language of more than 30 countries and of many agencies, including NATO, INTERPOL and the United Nations. The language and culture of France also are beneficial to students interested in international business, politics, the medical field and humanitarian organizations. Art, literature and culinary arts also benefit from understanding the rich traditions of French-speaking countries.

Student Learning Outcomes

The Modern Languages major may concentrate in French, German, Japanese or Spanish as a primary language, and French, German, Japanese, Spanish or Chinese as a secondary language. Students may also select a major in Japanese or Spanish or a major in French or German Studies.

The department seeks to graduate majors who:

  • demonstrate linguistic proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing equivalent to ACTFL Advanced Mid; communicate effectively on a wide variety of present, past, and future events; exchange general information on topics outside their fields of interest; and handle a complication or unexpected turn of events
  • evaluate major literary, intellectual or historical trends of the cultures of concentration
  • identify an interdisciplinary or disciplinary understanding of cultural diversity
  • apply appropriate research methods to a senior thesis or a capstone project in the language of specialization

Program Purpose

The Department of World Languages and Literatures seeks to provide the general student with awareness of and sensitivity toward the cultural and linguistic diversity of an increasingly interconnected world. For students specializing in language study, the Modern Languages curriculum teaches proficiency in speaking, writing, reading, and comprehending a modern language. Majors spend a semester or a year in study abroad. The curriculum is designed to ensure mastery of the languages studied through intensive conversational training.