Bachelor of Arts in French Education, Grades 6-12
Department
Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures
College
College of Education and Human Development
Overview of the program
The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures supports the University's educational, economic, and cultural mission by nurturing the life-changing experience of contact with foreign cultures. Fundamental to this mission is the belief that language and communication skills are essential to students' success in an increasingly global society.
The Department aims to provide:
- High-quality instruction geared to linguistic and cultural competency in Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Latin;
- Authentic cultural interaction through short-term and long-term (semester and year-long) study abroad programs, internships in local companies of international reach, and other cultural opportunities on- and off-campus;
- Linguistic and cultural expertise in support of the university as a whole, local and regional schools, and the wider community;
- A broad range of scholarly work.
Strengths of the program
- Hailing from cultures all around the world with strong ties to a sense of "family," our faculty are our principal strength. Multicultural at heart, we have native speakers in every language we teach. Our faculty take a caring and personal interest in our students, providing students a positive learning experience.
- Our faculty is collegial and exhibits a strong desire for collaboration with and support of each other's pedagogical and research projects. We often interact in our teaching and research.
- Our faculty are well-trained, highly qualified, recognized both nationally and internationally, and represent a variety of disciplines ranging from technological and educational areas of expertise to literary research and linguistic fields in foreign languages. Drs. Harrison, Marshall, Gutthy, and Bornier are regularly invited to speak at international conferences. Dr. Marshall and Prof. Emeritus Di Maio have been awarded the prestigious literary knighthoods (the Order of the Palm and the "Caballero de la Real"). Our Yale professor, Dr. Kolb, is founder of the Proust National Archives located at the University of Illinois. Our Basque scholar, Dr. Gutthy, is also a member of the editorial board of Eslavistica complutense, published by the Complutense University in Madrid. All of our Spanish faculty are certified in the occupational Spanish (Command Spanish). Two of our faculty (Dr. Marshall and Ms. Gumpert) are among the very few Oral Proficiency Interview specialists in French and Spanish in the entire state.
- The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures has an exceedingly high rate of retention among our declared majors. Our faculty go the "extra mile" to help students with their academic studies and career planning. Many faculty engage in research projects with students in archival research, linguistic studies, and pedagogical service-learning. Some have been able to present their research at regional and national symposiums. Such collaboration helps to launch them into graduate studies in their respective language fields.
- Our department shares a spirit of willingness to serve the community and the University. We have excellent opportunities for students to engage in hands-on experience in internships in the pedagogical field and in the business world through our service-learning and internship programs.
- Our students often combine majors in other areas with language study. This gives them an edge when entering the job market or applying to graduate or law schools.
- Many of our courses are offered at both the undergraduate and graduate levels to afford graduate students from other departments an opportunity to further the language component of their degree. We also offer special purposes classes, such as business French and Spanish, Latin for medical personnel, and Spanish for health professionals.
- Our department possesses a state-of-the-art Tandberg computer lab which enables students to experience cutting-edge applications in laboratory technology.
- Our study-abroad programs have been in highly successful operation for over 30 years, and we improve on them every year. Many of our students are repeat students in these learning adventures that offer them invaluable contact and interaction with the culture and people of the languages they are studying. We have programs to Costa Rica, Canada, France, Italy.
- We also hold an International Night which showcases the talents of both our language majors and our international students as well as provides an opportunity for intercultural exchange among all university language students and the community.
- We have hosted many international guests to our University, including the President of Haiti, Rene Preval, the vice president of Costa Rica, Patricia Vega Herrara, the writer and ambassador from Mexico, Carlos Fuentes, and the former president of the IDB, Enrique Iglesias, among others. Our department also maintains contacts with the consulates of Belgium, Mexico, Costa Rica, France, Italy, among other countries.
- Our annual Foreign Language Festival for high school students in our region, under the direction of Dr. Escobar, is one of the best in the state, and it offers excellent scholarship opportunities to deserving language students.
- Excellent student achievements are recognized annually by invitation to be inducted as members of our own local chapter (Zeta Alpha) of the national romance language honor society, Phi Sigma Iota.
Preparing for a job in the program
In our highly competitive world, firms are looking for candidates who can adapt quickly to new and difficult situations, and are willing to travel and perhaps work in a foreign office. Experiences abroad will put new graduates at the front of the line when it comes to seeking a first full-time international assignment. Speaking a foreign language combined with experiences abroad are always a plus when the job hunt starts after graduation.
- Become global.
The current business demand for overseas customers or suppliers, as well as the supply of graduates who want to work in foreign countries feeds the demand for more and more courses in foreign languages and study abroad programs. Increasingly, it seems, the world is shrinking. In many universities across the world, the number of students interested in international work-study programs has exploded in recent years and more students are taking advantage of that opportunity than ever before. Learning a foreign language is key to "becoming global".
- Take advantage of opportunities.
Students at Southeastern should take advantage of available resources. The department provides a multitude of opportunities for students to gain international experience, including international studies and co-op programs, international college organizations and networking with students with foreign contacts. As business becomes more international, highlighting your experience from an internship or work assignment will give you an advantage over others competing for similar jobs.
Students shouldn't overlook extracurricular activities that relate to international organizations. The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures hosts Spanish, French, Italian and Germans Clubs.
Students should get acquainted with an American-based company with extensive operations abroad, starting with its domestic operations. Ninety percent of your opportunity to work abroad is through a U.S. company with a branch in another country. Many students and recent graduates are targeting positions within U.S.-based multinationals as launch pads for future international assignments. Remember that the best opportunities may not evolve from the biggest or most recognizable companies. Many unknown small- and medium-sized companies need people to work internationally. Look on the Internet for opportunities. Review sites that specialize in international positions, such as monster.com
Immerse yourself in the culture by participating in study abroad programs. Don't expect anything in another country to be like it is at home. If you are serious about working overseas, focus on preparing yourself for the dissimilarities, especially the language and culture.
- Make connections.
Just as networking with contacts after graduation can help you land a job in the U.S., knowing people overseas can help you start your career in another country. When traveling, studying or doing internships abroad, introduce yourself to as many people as possible and stay in touch with them when you leave.
Careers in the program
We believe that all students following Southeastern's many career paths will benefit both professionally and personally from the knowledge of a second language and the increased cultural sensitivity our program provides. Health professionals, law enforcement agents, travel agents, social workers, and those pursuing careers in international business are just a few examples of fields in which students with a minor in Foreign Languages and Literatures will have a decided edge. Our majors find employment after graduation in the following fields:
- Communications
International telephone operator
Foreign news correspondent and photographer
" Voice of America" writer and editor
Translator of documents, books, articles, Technical instructions
Advertiser for ethnic or foreign markets
Film production and entertainment media
Simultaneous interpreter
Editor
Court interpreter
Language engineer
- Business
Overseas sales representative
Overseas manager
Overseas researcher
U.S.-based import/export officer or investment specialist
Interpreter
Translator
Technical writer/translator
- Government
Peace Corps and VISTA
Social Security Administration
Federal Aviation Administration
Department of Homeland Security
FBI
U.S. Postal Service
Bureau of U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services
CIA
Department of State
Armed Forces
U.S. Park Service
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Department of Justice
U.S. Courts
NASA
(For more information on Government Careers, go to http://www.govtilr.org/)
- Travel and tourism
U.S. based travel agent
U.S. hotel staff
U.S. tour guide for foreign visitors
Writer of tourist literature
International airline employee
International hotel staff
International tour guide
Airport personnel
Foreign travel adviser
- Education
Foreign language teacher
Teacher in bilingual program
School counselor
School administrator
- Medical
Medical researcher
Health worker in ethnic neighborhood
Nurse
Hospital administrator
Hospital receptionist
Worker in the ER
- Social services
Law enforcement officer
Public assistance interviewer
Fire fighter
Multilingual defense attorney
Social worker
Campus organizations and activities affiliated with the program
French Club
Notable Alumni
Chris Llewellyn: (French, 2003), was a recipient of a Codofil scholarship to France; she now teaches in Amite.
Silaine Warner Vargas: French (20..?) recipient of a Codofil scholarship to Belgium; she now possesses a Master’s Degree in Teaching from the Université de Mons.
Contact Information
Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures
College of Education and Human Development
SLU 10719
Hammond, LA 70402
On Campus: D Vickers Hall, Room 219
Telephone: 985-549-2152
Fax: 985-549-3088
E-mail: flang@selu.edu
