1. Home
  2. Academics
  3. Undergraduate Catalog
  4. 2022-2023

Department of World Languages and Cultures

FACULTY Professor Hertich (chair); Associate Professors Cisneros, Courtad, Harris (emeritus), Portocarrero; Assistant Professor Charrat Nelson; Tenured Lecturer Kessler.

The Department of World Languages and Cultures offers courses in Arabic, Chinese, French, and Spanish. In addition to elementary, intermediate, and advanced language classes, the department offers courses on a variety of topics including culture, linguistics, translation, literature, film, and business. Many students elect a double major/minor with other disciplines in order to enhance capabilities and marketability for careers in international business or industry, cultural or social services, and education.

Students who wish to continue the same language at the university level that they studied in high school must take the departmental placement exam. The test should be taken prior to course enrollment and is administered online.

Language Requirements For The B.A. Degree

All candidates for the Bachelor of Arts degree must complete three semesters of college-level foreign language study or its equivalent. This requirement may be met in several ways: 1) Completion of a three-semester sequence (101-102-201) or higher in one language; 2) Completion of 102 or higher course in one language plus one course in another language; 3) Transfer of similar credits from another institution; 4) By proficiency examination (AP or CLEP); 5) By departmental examination in languages offered by the World Languages and Cultures Department. Option 5 is only available to non-native speakers. See department chair for details.

Students who have taken a foreign language in high school and wish to continue studies in the same language must take a placement examination. If a student places in 201 or higher the student will need to take only one course to fulfill the requirements for the B.A. degree. If a student places at the 102 level the student will need to take two courses to fulfill the requirements for the B.A. degree.

Students completing foreign language at the 202 level may also receive one GP in the Bradley Core Curriculum.

Credit by Examination

Advanced Placement Credit (AP)

Credit is given for scores of 3 or above. Specific information on the type of credit awarded can be obtained from the Undergraduate Admission Office or visit bradley.edu/admissions/freshman/apguides.

International Baccalaureate Program (IB)

Credit is given for International Baccalaureate scores of 4 or higher on Language B HL exams. Specific information can be obtained from the Undergraduate Admission Office or visit bradley.edu/admissions/freshman/apguides.

Retroactive Credit

Students who place in a language at the 102 level or higher and take a course in the same language in the World Languages and Cultures Department at Bradley University will receive retroactive credit ("retrocredits"). See Retroactive Credit for more information.

Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy

Credit is given to students who have received the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy. Students receive 3 100-level elective credits in the language for which they have the State Seal.

AAPPL

Credit is given to students who have taken the entire AAPPL (Assessment of Performance towards Proficiency in Languages) exam according to the following scale. Note that all four areas (Interpersonal listening and speaking, interpretive reading, interpretive listening, and presentational writing) must be completed in order to receive credit. An average of individual area scores will be used to determine credit granted.

  • Novice (score of N-1 or N-2) = no credit
  • Novice High (score of N-3 or N-4) = 101 credit
  • Intermediate Low (score of I-1 or 1-2) = 102 credit
  • Intermediate Mid (score of I-3 or I-4) = 201 credit
  • Intermediate High (score of I-5 or higher) = 202 credit

Language Majors and Minors

The department offers majors in French, French Education (PreK-12), Spanish, and Spanish Education (PreK-12) and minors in French, Spanish, and. Spanish for Business.

Major Requirements

French

Students majoring in French must complete a minimum of 24 hours of credit in French at the 202 level or above. In consultation with their French advisor, their French courses must include the following:

  • WLF 306 Composition and Conversation (prerequisite for other 300-level courses)
  • One Literature Course: WLF 315, WLF 340, or WLF 341
  • One Civilization Course: WLF 301, WLF 321 or WLF 322
  • One Applied French Course:  WLF 308, WLF 320, WLF 334, or WLF 430
  • Four Electives

In addition, students must earn a grade of C or better in all French courses, with the exception of the practicum WLF 492, in which they must receive a P. Twelve hours of credit must be taken at Bradley, three of which must be taken during the senior year. Study abroad is also highly recommended.

Spanish

Students majoring in Spanish must complete a minimum of 27 hours of credit in Spanish at the 202 level or above, in consultation with their Spanish advisor. Spanish courses must include the following:

  • WLS 303 Composition
  • WLS 304 Conversation*
  • WLS 315 Introduction to Literature
  • Six Electives

In addition, students must earn a grade of C or better in all Spanish courses, with the exception of WLS 492, in which they must receive a P. Twelve hours of credit must be taken at Bradley, three of which must be taken during the final year. Study abroad is also highly recommended.

  • This course is designed for non-native and non-near-native speakers. Students with native or near-native proficiency must substitute another 300-level Spanish class.

French Education (PreK-12)

The world languages program prepares you for the State of Illinois Professional Educator’s License in French Education, which qualifies you to teach world languages in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade classrooms.

Major Requirements

Required Mathematics BCC course

  • MTH 101: The Art of Mathematical Thinking or MTH 111: Elementary Statistics – 3 hrs.

Professional Education Requirements – 50 hrs

  • ETE 100: Technology Applications – 1 hr.
  • ETE 115: The History of Education in the United States – 3 hrs.
  • ETE 116: Field Experiences: Schools and Schooling in American Society – 1 hr.
  • ETE 210: Human Development from Birth to Young Adulthood – 3 hrs.
  • ETE 215: Strategies for Effective Teaching – 3 hrs. OR
  • ETE 216: Effective Planning and Instruction for Teaching – 3 hrs.
  • ETE 230: Adapting Curriculum to Support Inclusive Environments – 3 hrs OR
  • ETE 232: Meeting the Needs of All Students within the Disciplines – 2 hrs.
  • ETE 235: Methods of Teaching ELLs – 3 hours
  • ETE 270: Physical Development and Health – 1 hour
  • ETE 280: Exploring Diversity – 3 hours
  • ETE 304: Novice Teaching Experience in World Languages – 3 hrs.
  • ETE 310: Teacher Performance Assessment – 1 hr.
  • ETE 313: Methods of Literacy I – 3 hours  OR
  • ETE 315: Methods of Literacy II – 3 hours 
  • ETE 345: Guiding Learners: Creating Safe, Inclusive Learning Environments – 3 hrs.
  • ETE 368: Content Reading for All Students – 2 hrs.
  • ETE 369: Assessing All Students – 2 hours
  • ETE 387: Methods of Teaching PreK-12 World Language – 3 hrs.
  • ETE 493: Student Teaching in World Languages – 12 hrs.

French Major Core Requirements – 24 hours

  • WLF 306: Composition and Conversation – 3 hrs.
  • WLF 308: Advanced Conversation – 3 hrs.
  • WLF 320: Phonetics– 3 hrs.
  • One Literature Course: WLF 315, 340, or 341 – 3 hrs.
  • One Civilization Course: WLF 301, 321, 322 – 3 hrs.
  • Three elective courses – 9 hrs.

Spanish Education (PreK-12)

The world languages program prepares you for the State of Illinois Professional Educator’s License in Spanish Education, which qualifies you to teach world languages in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade classrooms.

Major Requirements

Required Mathematics BCC course

  • MTH 101: The Art of Mathematical Thinking or MTH 111: Elementary Statistics – 3 hrs.

Professional Education Requirements – 50 hrs

  • ETE 100: Technology Applications – 1 hr.
  • ETE 115: The History of Education in the United States – 3 hrs.
  • ETE 116: Field Experiences: Schools and Schooling in American Society – 1 hr.
  • ETE 210: Human Development from Birth to Young Adulthood – 3 hrs.
  • ETE 215: Strategies for Effective Teaching – 3 hrs. OR
  • ETE 216: Effective Planning and Instruction for Teaching – 3 hrs.
  • ETE 230: Adapting Curriculum to Support Inclusive Environments – 3 hrs OR
  • ETE 232: Meeting the Needs of All Students within the Disciplines – 2 hrs.
  • ETE 235: Methods of Teaching ELLs – 3 hours
  • ETE 270: Physical Development and Health – 1 hour
  • ETE 280: Exploring Diversity – 3 hours
  • ETE 304: Novice Teaching Experience in World Languages – 3 hrs.
  • ETE 310: Teacher Performance Assessment – 1 hr.
  • ETE 313: Methods of Literacy I – 3 hours  OR
  • ETE 315: Methods of Literacy II – 3 hours 
  • ETE 345: Guiding Learners: Creating Safe, Inclusive Learning Environments – 3 hrs.
  • ETE 368: Content Reading for All Students – 2 hrs.
  • ETE 369: Assessing All Students – 2 hours
  • ETE 387: Methods of Teaching PreK-12 World Language – 3 hrs.
  • ETE 493: Student Teaching in World Languages – 12 hrs.

Spanish Major Core Requirements – 27 hours

  • WLS 303: Composition – 3 hrs.
  • WLS 304: Conversation – 3 hrs.
  • WLS 315: Introduction to Hispanic Literature – 3 hrs.
  • One Linguistics Course: WLS 311, 320, 360, 370, or  402 – 3 hrs.
  • One Peninsular Literature Course: WLS 340,  341,  346, or  347 – 3 hrs.
  • One Latin American Literature Course: WLS 342, 343, 345, 347, 380, 385, or 425 - 3 hrs.
  • One Civilization Course: WLS 305, 306, 307, 321, 322, 330, 401, or 410 - 3 hrs.
  • Two elective courses – 6 hrs.

Minor Requirements

French

For the French minor, requirements are a minimum of 18 hours of credit in French at the 202 level or above, with at least nine of the hours to be taken at Bradley, and approval by the foreign language advisor. In addition, students must earn a grade of C or better in all French courses, with the exception of WLF 492, in which they must receive a P.

Spanish

Students minoring in Spanish must complete a minimum of 18 hours of credit in Spanish at the 202 level or above, in consultation with their Spanish advisor. Spanish courses must include the following:

  • WLS 303 Composition
  • WLS 304 Conversation*
  • WLS 315 Introduction to Literature
  • Three electives within the WLS course inventory

In addition, students must earn a grade of C or better in all Spanish courses, with the exception of WLS 492, in which they must receive a P. Twelve hours of credit must be taken at Bradley, three of which must be taken during the final year. Study abroad is also highly recommended.

*This course is designed for non-native and non-near-native speakers. Students with native or near-native proficiency must substitute another 300-level Spanish course.

Spanish Minor with a Business Concentration

For the Spanish minor with a Business Concentration, requirements are a minimum of 15 hours of credit in Spanish at the 300 level or above. Nine of those credit hours must be taken at Bradley; at least three credit hours and a three credit hour placement in a Spanish-language based internship program must be taken in a study abroad program; and students will complete IB 206. All courses should be approved by the World Languages and Cultures Department advisor. The Spanish courses must include the following:

  • WLS 303 Composition*
  • WLS 304 Conversation**
  • WLS 334 Commercial Spanish ^^
  • One 3-credit study abroad course concerning international business, marketing, economics, or related field taught in Spanish             
  • WLS 495 - Independent Study to include the 3-credit Placement in a Spanish-language based internship program

Students must also take IB 206 Introduction to International Business taught at Bradley.

In addition, students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses

*Students who receive AP credit for WLS 303 must take another 300-level Spanish elective course.
**This course is designed for non-native and non-near-native speakers. Students with native or near-native proficiency must substitute another 300-level Spanish course.
^^ WLS 334 is highly recommended before completing courses abroad, but could be taken during the study abroad portion of the minor

Study Abroad

For students interested in studying at a foreign university, programs are available at selected sites abroad. For further information contact the International Programs and Study Abroad Office.

This is the official catalog for the 2022-2023 academic year. This catalog serves as a contract between a student and Bradley University. Should changes in a program of study become necessary prior to the next academic year every effort will be made to keep students advised of any such changes via the Dean of the College or Chair of the Department concerned, the Registrar's Office, u.Achieve degree audit system, and the Schedule of Classes. It is the responsibility of each student to be aware of the current program and graduation requirements for particular degree programs.