Highlights from the annual "Salsa Night" event held on the university campus celebrating Latin-American sights, sounds, tastes and culture.

The Foreign Languages Program Director is Angela De La Cruz.

The Foreign Languages Program at University of Mary offers students the opportunity to expand their thinking and living by learning and experiencing language and culture outside their own.

The program prepares liberal arts students to be citizens of a global community. We offer them the opportunity to expand their concepts of language, culture, civilization, geography, philosophy and art while enhancing their job opportunities in a market that aims for excellence.

Background information

The University of Mary Foreign Languages Program recognizes the fact that, employers worldwide are realizing the value of foreign language training. Furthermore, the knowledge of a second language can be the key in advancement in one's chosen profession or the critical qualification for a unique position of responsibility.

In today's economically and politically interdependent world, knowledge of a foreign language and culture opens up opportunities that were practically nonexistent 30 years ago. Foreign language skills are more essential for the success of our student's present life.

Minor in Spanish: Twelve semester hours beyond the intermediate level (beyond 202) in a single foreign language. A teaching minor also requires EDU 317 and 446.

Placement Test

Students who have studied a foreign language for two years or more in high school before enrolling at the University of Mary receive advanced standing by passing a University of Mary CLEP test.

Study Abroad Program

Travel abroad is open to students who have completed a language at the intermediate level and have completed an acceptable preparatory exploration for travel abroad.

Language Lab

The Foreign Languages Program counts with a state-of-the-art language laboratory. Students are able to experience different accents of the language they are studying. They also practice important grammatical points and can record their voices in order to improve language pronunciation.

Outcomes of a minor in Spanish

Students are able to:

• Demonstrate the four language skills (reading, writing, speaking and comprehension) at an intermediate-high/ advance level.
• Demonstrate proficiency in the discussion and analysis of cultural, political, historical and literary issues.
• Display appreciation of foreign languages in general, sensitivity to cultural differences, and a deeper understanding of their own language.
• Interact skillfully and respectfully with Spanish speakers and profit from active involvement in Spanish-speaking societies through activities such as internships, service learning and a challenging academic program abroad.
• Perform professionally in diverse fields such as: teaching, interpreting/translating, exporting/importing, media/advertising, travel/tourism, banking/finance positions just to mention a few.