Department of Foreign Languages

Evans School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences

Faculty: Nichols Professor Grégoire; Associate Professors Anton, Corry, Llorente, Slade and Tate; Assistant Professor Barnes; Lecturer Haenle-Daniels
Evans Hall, Room 102 Telephone: (706) 236-2279; Fax: (706) 236-5091

The Department of Foreign Languages offers a variety of language, literature and cultural courses in French, German, and Spanish. The course of instruction emphasizes the development of communication skills. Majors and minors include courses in the analysis of cultural and literary works, as well as linguistic proficiency in professional areas such as business and education. Foreign language courses are open to all students as electives.

Foreign Language Placement Policy

Placement into Foreign Language classes is based upon Berry College placement test scores, previous experience with the language and, in some cases, individual consultation with Foreign Language faculty. All students who plan to enroll in a Foreign Language course should take the Berry College Foreign Language Placement Exam if they have taken any courses in that language in high school. Except in extraordinary cases students will not be allowed to take a course below the indicated placement determined by the department. A student may petition the Chair of the Department of Foreign Languages to be enrolled in a course other than that initially indicated. Such a determination will be made after a more detailed evaluation of speaking, listening, reading and writing proficiency, which will be conducted by a Foreign Language faculty member.

Foreign Language Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree at Berry College must demonstrate intermediate-level ability in a modern foreign language. Students with previous experience in French, German, or Spanish will demonstrate proficiency in the following ways:

1. Successful completion of the 200-level course in the foreign language
2. Proficiency Testing
   1. Testing out of the introductory language classes:
      1. The Department of Foreign Languages Placement Exam and students’ previous experience with the language determine the level. Students who have completed two years of French, German, or Spanish in high school may not enroll in 101.
      2. Should students place at the 102 level, 101 will be waived, and students will begin study in 102. Likewise should students place at the 200 level, both 101 and 102 will be waived, and students will begin study in 200.
      3. Students whose placement exam scores place them above the 200 level may request further testing of conversation and composition in order to waive the 200-level courses; or they may complete the 200 level course offered in the language.

      Bachelor of Arts Requirements for Foreign Language Majors

      Majors in one of the foreign languages will take two additional courses of at least three credits each in a second foreign language (or waiver by examination) or three courses in the humanities approved by the major department, excluding courses counted toward the general-education requirements or additional courses in the major. Foreign language majors who complete a second major and/or an education minor are exempt from this requirement.

      Study Abroad

      Students who are majors or minors in a foreign language are strongly encouraged to participate in one or more of our study-abroad programs in France, Germany, Costa Rica, Mexico, Argentina and Spain.

      Foreign-Language Teacher Certification

      Teacher certification is available when majoring in a foreign language. Students wishing to pursue teacher certification should complete the language major and a major in secondary education.

      The P-12 teaching certification in a foreign language requires the completion of the requirements for one of the foreign language majors in addition to the completion of a major in secondary education and completion of FLA 400. FLA 400 will not count as part of the 22-hour (FRE), 21-hour (GER), or 28-hour (SPA) major requirements. A study-abroad experience is considered strongly encouraged for those wishing to teach a foreign language.