Why Study a Foreign Language?

Studying a foreign language will enhance a KU major or minor in: European Studies Global and International Studies Philosophy Linguistics Film & Media Studies History History of Art Business Humanities and Western Civilization Political Science Journalism

Knowledge of a foreign language can be helpful in many career fields: finance journalism/broadcasting diplomacy civil or foreign service immigration or customs teaching advertising publishing marketing translation interpreting sales (food, clothing, art) operations management library science health services applied linguistics non-profits research import/export social work law medicine

Knowledge of a foreign language can also be useful in a technology career: “It’s in Apple’s DNA that technology alone is not enough… It’s technology married with liberal arts, married with the humanities, that yields us the result that makes our heart sing.” Steve Jobs, introducing iPad 2 February 2, 2011

A foreign language can help you stand out in today’s competitive job market: A major or minor in a foreign language, combined with study abroad experience, will help attract the interest of prospective employers, especially if you also: earn good grades conduct an independent research project complete GAP (Global Awareness Program) and/or REP (Research Experience Program) certification acquire unique experiences and perspectives through internships and service projects

Additional reasons to study a foreign language* 1. Increase global understanding “[E]ffective communication and successful negotiations with a foreign partner—(e.g., business, politics and peacekeeping, law enforcement, etc.) —requires strong comprehension of the underlying cultural values and belief structures that are part of the life experience of the foreign partner.” Dr. Dan Davidson, President, American Councils on International Education Intercultural understanding begins with individuals who have language abilities and who can provide one’s own community or nation with an informed perspective on foreign cultures. *This section adapted from

2. Improve employment potential “[T]he English language alone is probably sufficient if all we need to do is buy our products abroad, if we need to purchase foreign goods and services. But when it comes to selling a product abroad, you have to understand the psychology and the belief structure of your client.” Dr. Dan Davidson, President, American Councils on International Education Chances are that knowing languages will open employment opportunities that you otherwise would not have had, and you may also earn a greater salary. All else being equal, knowing foreign languages can give you an edge over monolingual applicants competing for the same jobs.

3. Improve native language skills “Those who know nothing of foreign languages, know nothing of their own.” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Research shows that knowledge of other languages boosts students’ understanding of languages in general and enables them to use their native language more effectively. More specifically, foreign language learners have: stronger vocabulary skills and higher reading achievement in the native language a better understanding of the native language structure, and improved literacy in general enhanced listening skills and memory higher test scores on college and graduate school entrance exams (the more language study, the better)

4. Sharpen cognitive and life skills “We have strong evidence today that studying a foreign language has a ripple effect, helping to improve student performance in other subjects.” Richard Riley, U.S. Secretary of Education under President Bill Clinton People who have learned foreign languages show greater cognitive development in areas such as mental flexibility and creativity and higher order thinking skills such as problem- solving, conceptualizing, and reasoning. In addition to cognitive benefits, the study of foreign languages leads to the acquisition of important life skills. Because language learners learn to deal with unfamiliar cultural ideas, they are much better equipped to adapt, cope, and effectively handle new situations.

5. Improve chances of admission into college or graduate school For admission, many colleges and universities require a minimum of two years of high school foreign language study. Once enrolled, further foreign language study is often a requirement. A majority of colleges and universities rightly consider knowledge of a foreign language and culture part of what every educated person should know. For graduate study in many fields, knowledge of a second and sometimes even a third language can be a prerequisite for admission or a degree requirement.

6. Expand study abroad options Because relatively few Americans are competent in foreign languages, competition for study abroad programs in English- speaking countries is sometimes intense. Your willingness to learn a language can make you a strong candidate for many study abroad programs in non-English speaking countries. For advanced language students, the opportunities are even greater.

7. Better appreciate international literature, music, and film “A different language is a different vision of life.” Federico Fellini, Italian film director Most of the world’s literary and artistic works have been written in languages other than English. A translation of a text can never be fully true to the intent, beauty, style, and uniqueness of its original, not least because some elements of languages simply do not have translations in other languages. To appreciate fully literature, theater, music, and film in other languages, one must be able to access them in their original form.

8. Make travel more feasible and enjoyable “Here speeching American.” (sign in a Majorcan shop entrance) “Cold shredded children and sea blubber in spicy sauce.” (from a menu in China) “Refund!” (on a “Caution!” wet floor sign in a McDonald’s restaurant in Italy) When traveling in foreign countries, your experience will be largely shaped by your ability or inability to communicate in the native language and to see beyond the surface of the culture. English is not spoken everywhere! Your language ability will allow you to see and do things that many visitors cannot.

9. Increase understanding of yourself and your own culture Knowing a language and culture other than your own affords you the unique opportunity to see yourself and your own culture from an outside perspective. There are aspects of your language, yourself, your life, and your own culture that you accept as universal or that you have never even considered until you have encountered a culture and people who do things differently than you do. The ability to differentiate is highly valued by many employers!

10. Make lifelong friends The interactive, communicative, and student-centered nature of most foreign language classrooms helps ensure that you will get to know your fellow students!

Why study the German language and culture?

“Germany’s central location in Europe and strong economy make it vital in today’s world. The rich history of the German language and culture make it central to understanding the past and shaping the future.” German is a critical language

“Languages play a role in our national security and economic strength, and in our ability to build mutually beneficial relationships with other cultures. We need multilingual representatives who can interact and negotiate with other countries and cultures, and doing so in other languages often can assure that meaning and intent are not lost in translation.”

German can be key to your career Knowledge of German gives you an average salary boost: 4% average income boost over a 2% income boost for knowledge of Spanish.

German is critical to Kultur With knowledge of German, you can access a world of sources for studies in art history, photography, graphic arts, design, theater, film, dance, music or architecture. Germany is home to more than 3,000 museums. More than 100 million people visit Germany’s museums each year. About 300 international and German-language theatre premieres are staged each year, and some 300 classical music festivals take place in Germany each year. Adapted from

German is critical to Kultur Germany boasts 141 professional orchestras. The country’s leading ensembles are the Berlin and Munich Philharmonic orchestras, the Gewandhaus Orchestra in Leipzig, and the Dresden Staatskapelle. Numerous film festivals are important for the cultural image of cinema in Germany and abroad. The most important forum is the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale), but film festivals in Mannheim, Oberhausen, Leipzig, Hof, Munich, Lübeck and Hamburg also enjoy international status. Adapted from

German is critical to Kultur The Bauhaus is probably the most influential school of design and architecture of the 20th century. Founded in 1919, it revolutionized the world of architecture and design with its basic principle: form follows function. Bauhaus teachers Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Walter Gropius, Le Corbusier, Bruno Taut and Erich Mendelsohn had a major influence on international modern architecture. Adapted from

The German language 24% of the residents of the European Union speak German as their native language and 31% of all Europeans speak German as a second language. 2,000 grants are awarded to U.S. students and professors to study and conduct research in Germany, which is also the 3 rd most popular country in the world for studying abroad. 200,000 foreign students are currently enrolled in German universities, or 10% of the student population in Germany. German is the second most frequently used language on the Internet after English, and Germany has the world’s most websites per capita.

The German language, economics & Germany Over 2,000 American companies conduct business in German-speaking countries, and more than 1,000 companies based in German-speaking countries have subsidiaries in the US, according to the American- German Business Club. More than 45,000 international companies conduct business in Germany. Germany is the most attractive place in Europe and third after the US and China in the world for US companies to invest, according to a 2008 survey conducted by the Boston Consulting Group. Germany was recently named Europe’s most favorable manufacturing location for the foreseeable future by the firm of Healy & Baker; in a recent issue of Newsweek it was named the second most powerful country in the world after the United States, based on many criteria, especially economic reasons.

The German language, economics & Germany German investment in the U.S. exceeds $210 billion. More than 3,000 German companies have investments in the American market. Germany was the world's second biggest exporter in 2009, just behind China, largely due to technological innovation and high-quality German goods. The most popular German export goods are vehicles and vehicle parts, machines, chemical products, and metals. Germany is Europe’s largest economy, the world’s fifth largest, and the world’s third most technologically powerful economy after the US and Japan. Germany is one of the top three nations in research and development of high tech products, the second among world leaders in both wind and solar power production, and the world leader in installed solar photovoltaic panels.

Why study the language and culture of German- speaking Europe at KU?

German at the University of Kansas We offer our students a diverse and challenging program in the language and culture of German-speaking Europe, including literature, the arts, history, business, and politics. We are introducing an updated curriculum in fall Our program is characterized by personalized advising, interdisciplinary flexibility, co-curricular activities, and opportunities to conduct independent research and to study and undertake internships abroad. The relatively small size of our classes ensures that students participate actively in classroom learning and receive ample attention from their instructors.

New Undergraduate Curriculum, Fall 2013 MAJOR Hours required: 30 Required courses. After completion of German 202: Intermediate German II, students will need to complete 16 credits: GERM 301 High Intermediate German I (3) GERM 302 High Intermediate German II (3) GERM 315 German Literature and the Modern Era (3) GERM 316 Discussion Section: German Literature &the Modern Era (1) GERM 401 Advanced German I (3) GERM 580 Senior Capstone Course: German-Speaking Europe Today (3) GERM 315 and GERM 316 must be completed before students can take a course beyond GERM 402 (except GERM 444 and GERM 462). Admission to 400- and 500-level courses after GERM 402 (except GERM 444 and GERM 462) without completion of GERM 315 and GERM 316 is with permission of the Undergraduate Advisor only.

New Undergraduate Curriculum, Fall 2013 MAJOR Elective courses. A minimum of 14 credit hours at the 300, 400, and 500 levels must be completed beyond the required courses. 12 of these credit hours must be at the 400 or 500 level. In exceptional cases, undergraduates may take courses at the 600 level with permission of the Undergraduate Advisor and the instructor. With permission of the Undergraduate Advisor, 6 credit hours at the 300, 400, or 500 levels may be counted toward the major by completing two approved courses offered by other departments with significant content related to German-speaking Europe. A 600-level course may be counted with approval of the Undergraduate Advisor. Residency Requirement. At least 15 hours of coursework at the 300, 400, and 500 levels, including the senior capstone course, GERM 580, must be completed in residence at KU.

New Undergraduate Curriculum, Fall 2013 MINOR Hours required: 18 Required courses. After completion of German 202: Intermediate German II, students will need to complete the following two courses: GERM 301 High Intermediate German I (3) GERM 302 High Intermediate German II (3) Elective courses 12 additional hours at the 300, 400, and 500 levels. GERM 315 and GERM 316 are strongly encouraged because they are prerequisites for courses above GERM 402 (except GERM 444 and GERM 462). One approved 3-credit course offered by another department or program and with significant content related to German-speaking Europe ( level) may be counted toward the German minor. A 600-level course may be counted only with approval of the Undergraduate Advisor. At least 9 credits at the 300 level and above must be acquired in residence at KU.

With special thanks to Dr. Kimberly Swanson, Associate Professor, Department of French & Italian, University of Kansas, for allowing us to adapt her PowerPoint, “Why Learn Foreign Languages?”