Does the idea of being an international globetrotter appeal to you?
Are you the kind of person who would love to live and study in a foreign country? Do you believe the key to solving world issues lies in communication and understanding cultural differences?
Studying languages is about far more than just learning how to communicate in another language. It’s about exploring other identities and values through language, literature, history and culture in a global community.
The Department of Modern Languages & Linguistics offers instruction in three languages: French, Japanese and Spanish (beginner to advanced). Small class sizes, cutting-edge language-learning technology and the diverse expertise of our instructors ensure you’ll find studying languages to be a lively and satisfying experience.
You’ll also be introduced to culture(s) of the countries where the studied language is spoken through lifestyle and pop culture, history, music, film and literature.
Classes are taught in the language being studied — so, Japanese courses are taught in Japanese and Spanish courses in Spanish. You can specialize in one language or study a combination.
Off-Campus Study Opportunities. All ULethbridge students can enjoy the lifechanging experience of a study visit to Quebec or abroad. Recent examples include France, Mexico, Ecuador, Argentina, Spain and Japan. Course credit acquired at the host university may be transferable back to the University of Lethbridge. Our off-campus study coordinators can help you plan your experience.
Linguistics. Linguistics focuses on the universal aspects of language and speech production. It addresses questions such as, “How do languages evolve?” “How do we learn a language?” or “What is a dialect?” Linguistics courses are delivered in English.
Modern Languages & Linguistics Degrees. The Department of Modern Languages & Linguistics offers majors in French or French/Spanish for the 40-course Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Arts & Science (BASc) degree programs. Alternatively, you can choose to do a general major in the humanities and select French or Spanish as one of your three streams. You can also opt for your chosen language(s) as your BA major for the Combined BA/BEd or BA/BMgt Degrees.
Modern Languages & Linguistics Courses. Course selections for the program will vary, but may include:
• French Immersion
• Culture and Civilization I
• Modern Literature & Literary Analysis
• Advanced Language I
• Comparative Stylistics & Translation
• Linguistics I: Phonetics & Phonology
• Phonetics & Diction
• Fundamentals of Spanish Communication
• Hispanic Literature & Literary Analysis
Minors. You can declare French, Japanese, Spanish or linguistics as your BA, BSc or BASc minor by completing the number of courses required for the program. Adding a minor to your degree is a great way to explore academic interests beyond your major. A minor is a set of courses comprising a secondary focus of interest. A minor may be required or optional, and it is generally not related to your major. Minors are not available in all programs. Learn more at ulethbridge.ca/artsci/minors
Honours Thesis. If you are majoring in French and your GPA is high enough in your fourth year, you can opt to complete an undergraduate thesis course. This is an excellent opportunity for you to earn an “Honours Thesis” designation on your degree.
Learn more about modern languages & linguistics at ULethbridge, visit ulethbridge.ca/languages
Faculty members at the University of Lethbridge are happy to involve undergraduate students in their research projects. Our faculty members often collaborate with other departments, community members and employers on research projects — giving you the opportunity to get additional hands-on experience.
Research Interests:
• Computer-Assisted Language Learning
• Second Language Acquisition & Pragmatics
• Marginal Cinema in Latin America
• Race Representations in Latin American Literature
• Women Writers in Early Modern France
• The “Golden Age” of Spanish Theatre
• Gender, Identity & Violence in 17th Century French Literature
• 19th Century French Literature
• Literature & Psychoanalysis
• Québec Literature
• Teaching French Culture
• French Comedy
• Turn-of-the-Century French Women Writers
• French in North America
• Bilingualism
• Blackfoot Grammar
• English Dialects
• Sociolinguistics
• Phonetics & Phonology
• Early Modern French Studies
Communicate in another language — explore other identities and values through language, literature, history and culture in a global community.
Skills Acquired. Studying languages and linguistics is one of the best ways to improve your ability to express yourself, orally or in writing, not only in your chosen language(s) but in English as well. You’ll also develop your ability to conduct research, your attention to detail and your analytical skills. You’ll broaden your understanding of the world and learn to think “globally” rather than “locally.” All of these capabilities are highly sought after and can be applied to practically any working scenario.
Related Fields. Your undergraduate degree allows you to pursue a career in many fields where languages are essential, like:
• Library Science
• Translation & Interpreting
• Government
• Foreign Affairs
• Publishing
• Travel & Tourism
• Technical Writing
• Terminology
• ESL Instruction
• Public Relations
• Marketing & Advertising
• Localization
• Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
• Politics
• Web Design, Blogging or Editing
Graduate Studies. The University of Lethbridge’s School of Graduate Studies offers graduate programs at the Master and Doctoral levels, spanning over 60 disciplines — so why not consider pursuing grad school right here in Lethbridge! Whether you choose to do your advanced studies at ULethbridge or another institution, know that your undergraduate degree has set you on the path to post-graduate success.
Professional Disciplines. In addition to grad school, your undergraduate degree provides an excellent foundation for education, law, journalism, speech-language pathology and audiology.
“As a French/Spanish student in modern languages, I have been able to learn from many kind, knowledgeable and passionate linguists. I’ve used what I have learned in my classes to help others, travel and further embrace my heritage and appreciate others.
- Jocelyn, French/Spanish
Whether you’re looking for a more in-depth learning experience by assisting with research projects or by testing your knowledge in a real-life setting, we can help. Combined with your required coursework, the opportunities outlined below will provide you with a solid foundation for further studies and an excellent framework for a challenging and rewarding career — whatever direction you decide to go.
Earn course credit for career-related paid, volunteer or community service work experience. This program is specially designed to allow you to integrate principles learned in the classroom in a practical work setting.
For more information, visit: ulethbridge.ca/appliedstudies
ULethbridge is proud to offer you the chance to participate in co-op. Co-op allows you to gain work experience directly related to your studies and make invaluable contacts in the workforce, all while earning a competitive salary. Completion of the program allows you to receive a co-op designation on your degree and, most importantly, a kickstart to your career the minute you graduate.
For more information, visit: ulethbridge.ca/coop
In addition to your regular courses, you can contribute to departmental research activities. For example, you can complete an independent study course or gain employment as a research assistant. If your GPA is high enough, you can also enrol in undergraduate thesis-based courses where research is a component of your studies.
Contact your department to learn more!
Your decision to explore a university education is the first step toward a great future — now let us help you navigate your degree options at ULethbridge and set you on the road to success. Do you have questions about what field of study best suits you? Would you like help with program and registration planning and just can’t find the answers? If so, you should speak to an academic advisor today — advisors have the answers to these questions and many more.
To learn more about the support services available to you through our academic advisors, visit: ulethbridge.ca/artsci/advising