Modern Languages

Contact Information

(716) 839-8340
daemen.edu/modernlanguages

Chair

Kevin Telford
(716) 839-8340

Degrees Offered

Minors

The Modern Languages Department offers several innovative options to combine a student’s love of language and culture with coursework and internships leading to professional success. Further information about +Plus programs is available from the Modern Languages Department on the +Plus program catalog page.

Admission Requirements

Enrollment at the appropriate course level will be determined by previous foreign language instruction and/or interview with the Modern Languages Department. In general, students will be placed in courses in language studies as follows:

  • Placement in course 101: No previous language experience or  1-2 years of middle or high school language study.
  • Placement in course 102: Credit for college level Elementary  Language I study with an average of 80% or above.
  • Placement in course 105: Credit for college level Elementary Language I & II or 3-4 years of high school language study with an average of 80% or above.
  • Placement in 200-level courses or above: 4+ years of high school language study with an average of 80% or above.

Any student with questions concerning placement is urged to consult with the Department Chair.

If a student is interested in majoring in French or Spanish but needs to complete courses in the 100 level, up to 6 credits of course work may be credited as Free Electives taken in the major; any additional credits completed will be over and above the minimum program requirements.  Please note that course work in the major language at the 100 level does not count towards completion of the major.

Admission to Upper Division

By April 1st of the second semester of the sophomore year, the student is required to make an application in writing to the Modern Languages Chair for admission to upper division. Normally the student should have accrued at least 6 hours of credit at the 200 level or above before applying to upper division.

  1. Overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0.
  2. A grade point average (GPA) of 2.80 in major language courses.
  3. Twelve hours or demonstrated proficiency through the intermediate level of a second foreign language.
  4. FRE/SPA 288, 388, 488 Colloquium credits must be in progress.
  5. Study Abroad plan for junior or senior year must be approved by the Modern Languages Department and the Global Programs Office.  Most Study Abroad programs require a 3.0 GPA for admission.

Admission to Upper Division – Adolescence Education majors)

  1. An overall grade point average of 3.00 or better for all completed college courses.
  1. A grade point average of 3.00 or better in all education courses (ECSE, EDU & SED prefix).

Please go to http://www.college-scholarships.com/online_college_gpa_calculator.htm to calculate.

  1. A grade of B or better in all education courses.
  2. A personal interview
  3. Scoring in the top 50 percentile on a nationally normed entrance exam, (SAT or ACT).
  4. Compile and submit, for Education Department faculty review, a comprehensive emerging e-portfolio, the contents of which include the following exhibits: artifacts, facsimiles, projects, grades. Projects must be the scanned originals submitted to the professors and, therefore, include the professors’ comments/corrections/annotations.
  • A researched, scholarship-based paper submitted for EDU 203.
  • An outline of an instructional unit, including a fully designed 3-lesson learning segment, prepared for EDU 237.
  • A researched, scholarship-based paper submitted for SED 270.
  • A written emerging professional resume.
  • A written emerging philosophy of education
  • A written emerging comprehensive reflective narrative detailing perception of current status, skills gained during coursework, targets or goals for continuing professional development, and expectations for the future (i.e., intended career choice).
  • A completed Disposition Self-Assessment (DSA) containing narrative reflection showing examples to support the ranking of each of the criteria.

Absence of any of these items or an overall GPA lower than 3.00 will constitute an incomplete submission, and the portfolio will not be accepted for review. If you are missing assignments, please see your advisor before the submission date to seek advice about your options.

  1. Traditionally admitted students (non-transfer students) who are seeking admission to upper division status must apply by March 19 of the second year of study. 
  1. Transfer students must apply by March 19 during the semester in which they are completing EDU 267 or ECSE 280. Transfer students who enter Daemen College with an Associate degree must submit a portfolio which includes an emerging professional resume, a written emerging philosophy of education, a comprehensive reflective narrative, and, if available, artifacts from comparable courses taken at other institutions, indicating where they were taken and the grade earned.
  1. In the event of a resubmission due to extenuating circumstances approved by the department chair, the GPA will be considered as closed as of the end of the spring semester. The review process will be complete by August 31 before the start of the new fall semester.

Requirements For Admission To Student Teaching (Adolescence Education Majors)

  1. An overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.00.
  2. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in one’s major language.
  3. Application for Student Teaching, usually at the end of the third year
  4. Recommendation for student teaching from the Chairs of both the Education and Modern Languages Departments.
  5. Study Abroad must be fulfilled.
  6. FRE/SPA288, 388, 488 Colloquium credits must be completed.
  7. FRE/SPA443 Senior Project must be completed before the student teaching semester.
  8. It is strongly recommended that the student teacher candidate take and pass the required Teacher Certification Exams and the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) before student teaching begins.

Graduation Requirements

An overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.00.

TEACHER CERTIFICATION MAJORS: Minimum GPA of 3.00.

Pertinent Additional Information

  • Core courses in foreign literature in translation, French, Spanish and Spanish-American literature, culture, and linguistics courses in both English and Spanish are offered through the Modern Languages Department.
  • Double Majors are encouraged and can be arranged in cooperation other academic departments.
  • Study Abroad in a country of the student’s major language is required.  A full academic year is ideal; a full semester is required.
  • Some students with a double major may petition to substitute two short-term study abroad programs for the semester abroad.
  • Official transcripts from a foreign institution must be sent directly to the Daemen College Registrar to ensure credit approval.
  • Additional courses to satisfy certification requirements to prepare those who wish to teach modern languages at the secondary level are offered through the Education Department.
  • Bilingual or multilingual students may meet the foreign language requirement for some Daemen degrees.  Click on the link below for details or contact the Modern Language Department.
  • Languages Other Than English.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Modern Language is to prepare students to integrate fully their language skills for professional and personal fulfillment in both their local and global communities.  The curriculum for French and Spanish majors integrates language skills with Daemen’s liberal arts core and a solid professional formation based on language proficiency.

The curriculum emphasizes oral fluency, written proficiency, cultural awareness and literary appreciation, skills which allow students to solve problems creatively and think critically.  Our graduates will be comfortable with diversity and recognize the vital importance of a global perspective.  The curriculum recognizes the significant historical, moral, artistic, economic, literary and scientific contributions of French and Spanish speakers throughout the world: in North and South America, the Caribbean and Africa, as well as Europe.

Our graduates will be ready to take their place as leaders in the fields of education, public policy, business, social service, health care, media and the arts.

Student Learning Objectives for French and Spanish Majors:

1) oral fluency                                     2) written proficiency
3) cultural understanding            4) literary and linguistic appreciation

It is no accident that oral fluency is listed as the first goal of the French or Spanish major.  This most difficult skill to master is emphasized in all courses. The skills learned in acquiring a foreign language are precisely the skills that make for good communication in any language: the ability to pause, to reflect on what you want to convey before you start to speak; the ability to choose the correct word from several possibilities, to convey your message exactly as you want; a consciousness that grammar rules do affect communication.  The goal of oral fluency addresses the importance of understanding and responding in French or Spanish in authentic situations.  As students progress through their major their oral proficiency will be monitored as indicated below.

There is a big difference in the ease or difficulty of writing a foreign language as opposed to speaking one. Writing is easier because there is the opportunity to reflect on the writing and to review it. The goal of written proficiency allows students to bring this awareness to bear on their communicative abilities in any language.  As the major progresses, students’ writing will become increasingly more accurate, well-organized, and articulate.

The mission of Daemen College is to prepare students for life and leadership in an increasingly complex world; this is the heart of the French & Spanish majors.  In a world which is coming together economically and culturally every day, the importance of being aware of other cultures is paramount. Learning not to be shocked at the way others do things is part of being a culturally sensitive and professional person who is comfortable with diversity and who recognizes the importance of a global perspective. This is the goal of cultural understanding.

The study of Literature and Linguistics in French or Spanish promotes proficiency in the language through class discussions and written expression. Moreover, as literature and linguistics reflect the history, culture, ethics and aesthetics of a people, the goal of literary and linguistic appreciation integrates communication, culture, creativity and critical thinking.