Foreign Language Studies (Certificate)

Description

The Certificate in Language Studies I is available in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean and Spanish. Students qualify for the certificate after completing four semesters (12 credits) of language study per language when they earn a grade of C or better at each level. Course levels include 1100, 1110, 1120 and 2100 (or 2110). Students intending to pursue the certificate should enroll in the program by levels 1120 and 2100.

Students may demonstrate proficiency via placement exam beyond the introductory 1100 level and may earn three, six or nine credits toward the certificate, based on exam results. Placement testing is NOT necessary to enroll in introductory level I (level 1100).

Foreign Language coursework at the University adapts the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages. The standards establish an inextricable link between communication and culture, which is applied in making connections and comparisons and in using this competence to be part of local and global communities.

Students enrolled in the certificate program focus on ACTFL's Three Modes of Communication: Interpretive, Interpersonal and Presentational as described in the World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages. The learning outcomes for the courses offered as part of the University's certificate relate to the ACTFL Can-Do-Statements at the Novice through Intermediate levels and in each of the three modes* further outlined below.

  • Interpretive Communication: Learners understand, interpret and analyze what is heard, read or viewed on a variety of topics. Students demonstrate competencies in level-appropriate ways through a variety of written and oral assignments, presentations, activities and dialogues.
  • Interpersonal Communication: Learners interact and negotiate meaning in spoken, signed or written conversations to share information, reactions, feelings and opinions. Students demonstrate competencies in level-appropriate ways through a variety of written and oral assignments, presentations, activities and dialogues.
  • Presentational Communication: Learners present information, concepts and ideas to inform, explain, persuade and narrate on a variety of topics using appropriate media and adapting to various audiences of listeners, readers or viewers. Students demonstrate competencies in level-appropriate ways through a variety of written and oral assignments, presentations, activities and dialogues.

Visit the Language and Cultural Training section of this catalog to learn of additional programs offered through the University's Department of Language and Cultural Training. 

Languages Available for Certificate

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    Arabic Certificate Level I Requirements (12 credits)

    Courses required for the certificate:

    • ARB 1100 Introduction to Arabic I (3 credits)
    • ARB 1110 Introduction to Arabic II (3 credits)
    • ARB 1120 Introduction to Arabic III (3 credits)
    • ARB 2100 Intermediate Arabic I (3 credits) OR ARB 2110 Intermediate Arabic II (3 credits)
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    Chinese Certificate Level I Requirements (12 credits)

    Courses required for the certificate:

    • CHI 1100 Introductory Chinese I (3 credits)
    • CHI 1110 Introductory Chinese II (3 credits)
    • CHI 1120 Introductory Chinese III (3 credits)
    • CHI 2100 Intermediate Chinese I (3 credits) OR CHI 2110 Intermediate Chinese II (3 credits)
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    French Certificate Level I Requirements (12 credits)

    Courses required for the certificate:

    • FRE 1100 Introduction to French I (3 credits)
    • FRE 1110 Introduction to French II (3 credits)
    • FRE 1120 Introduction to French III (3 credits)
    • FRE 2100 Intermediate French I (3 credits) OR FRE 2110 Intermediate French II (3 credits)
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    German Certificate Level I Requirements (12 credits)

    Courses required for the certificate:

    • GER 1100 Introduction to German I (3 credits)
    • GER 1110 Introduction to German II (3 credits)
    • GER 1120 Introduction to German III (3 credits)
    • GER 2100 Intermediate German I (3 credits)
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    Japanese Certificate Level I Requirements (12 credits)

    Courses required for the certificate:

    • JPN 1100 Introduction to Japanese I (3 credits)
    • JPN 1110 Introduction to Japanese II (3 credits)
    • JPN 1120 Introduction to Japanese III (3 credits)
    • JPN 2100 Intermediate Japanese I (3 credits) OR JPN 2110 Intermediate Japanese II (3 credits)
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    Korean Certificate Level I Requirements (12 credits)

    Courses required for the certificate:

    • KOR 1100 Introduction to Korean I (3 credits)
    • KOR 1110 Introduction to Korean II (3 credits)
    • KOR 1120 Introduction to Korean III (3 credits)
    • KOR 2100 Intermediate Korean I (3 credits)
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    Spanish Certificate Level I Requirements (12 credits)

    Courses required for the certificate:

    • SPA 1100 Introduction to Spanish I (3 credits)
    • SPA 1110 Introduction to Spanish II (3 credits)
    • SPA 1120 Introduction to Spanish III (3 credits)
    • SPA 2100 Intermediate Spanish I (3 credits) OR SPA 2110 Intermediate Spanish II (3 credits)

Program Contact Information

Lara Wasner, M.A., MATESOL
Director of Language and Cultural Training
Briggs Building, Room 339
McNichols Campus

Email: wasnerle@udmercy.edu
Telephone: 313-993-1191

Detroit Mercy Catalogs


Undergraduate Catalog
2022-2023