Language is the gatekeeper and conveyor of culture. Recognizing this essential relationship between language and culture, the Department of Languages seeks to infuse its courses with significant cultural information.

The Department of Languages contributes to a heightened sense of world citizenship and global community within the Xavier family and assists in the development of the language and cultural skills necessary for graduates to function effectively in intercultural and international work environments. The curriculum is proficiency-based (the acquisition of the four primary skills in the target language: comprehension, speaking or signing, reading, and writing), and emphasizes an understanding of the target culture. The language curriculum affirms the crucial role of literature in developing critical thinking skills and in providing insight into culture and the transmission of societal values.

Students receive instruction in the diverse cultures expressed by their languages of choice. The Department of Languages is committed to teaching the international significance of French and Spanish and stresses their importance as bases for communication by peoples of color. All students considering a major in languages MUST confer with a departmental advisor so that their curriculum can be appropriately designed and will be inclusive of both skills and content courses,

The Core Curriculum requires that most students earn six semester hours in one language other than English. Since the choice of a language is closely tied to personal career goals and inclinations, the language faculty is prepared upon request to assist in the selection of that language. Students who have prior preparation in a language and who wish to continue study of the same language have several placement options: (1) Advanced Placement (AP) credit from high school (3-6 hours); and (2) CLEP credit (6 hours). Students with six hours of AP or CLEP credits may use these credits as electives or to meet the core requirement as well as for placement in upper level language courses. All students enrolling in any courses in the Department of Languages must take the departmental WebCAPE Placement Examination. Students with three or more years of a language in high school may enroll in the 1010-1020 sequence of that language for credit only with permission of the discipline chair and the language chair or may enroll in the 1010-1020 sequence in a different language.

Instructors in the Department of Languages are committed to the incorporation of instructional technology, experiential learning, and inter-departmental collaboration. Increasing use of the Internet, both in the classroom and in laboratory assignments, makes available the world-wide resources of technology. By taking advantage of the many cultural resources of New Orleans and south Louisiana, students can participate in multicultural learning experiences involving language practice.

Language majors and minors have access to summer, semester, and year-abroad international study through the Center for International and Intercultural Programs (CIIP). All students are urged to take advantage of this opportunity. Most upper-level students in the department earn part of their required credits through immersion study in a country where their language of choice is spoken. These students return to Xavier with advanced-level language skills, as determined by the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) examination developed by the American Council of Teachers of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).

The Department of Languages offers majors and minors in French and Spanish. The major requires 30 semester credit hours in the target language beyond 1010-1020. Coursework may be taken through study abroad. Eighteen hours of major courses and 12 hours of minor courses must be completed at Xavier, unless the student obtains permission from the department chair and the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Students interested in majoring in a language and studying abroad should take at least one literature course before and during foreign study. Majors are required to pass a comprehensive examination in the target language and attend all departmental meetings. Minors are required to complete 18 hours of courses in one language, six hours of which must be at the 3000 level or above. Students desiring a double concentration in languages may complete 12 hours each in two languages.

Careers enjoyed by language alumni are interdisciplinary and international in scope and include teaching languages at every level, the Foreign Service, law, business, health care, international relations, translation and interpretation, tourism and travel.

PLACEMENT POLICY

Every student entering Xavier University of Louisiana with previous language study at the secondary level MUST take the WebCAPE Departmental Placement Examination. The recommended placement in language classes is based upon the student’s score. In many cases, students with three or more years of language study at the secondary level are placed in 1020. Students with exceptionally strong backgrounds, or those who have studied or resided abroad, may be placed in the 2010 or 2020 course. After satisfactorily completing the placement course with a grade of "C" or better, the student will receive credit for the course immediately preceding the placement course.

In very rare cases, a student may be qualified to enroll directly in the 3000 level. This student is usually either a native speaker or one with exceptional intensive language training or study abroad experience. In such cases, if the student completes the 3000 level course with a grade of "C" or better, credit will be given for the 2020 class.