First- and second-year language programs
Department of International Language and Culture Studies
Making your own path always starts with the first step.
Whether you’re starting with something new or strengthening skills you’ve already started building, our first- and second-year language programs will help you get your footing as you pursue your passion.
First- and Second-Year Language Programs
Choose a language to explore.
Overview
Arabic is
- among the world’s top five most used languages,
- the primary language of 22 Arab countries,
- widely spoken in countries neighboring or interacting with those countries, and
- spoken by approximately 425 million people on a daily basis.
Students in our program learn
- Modern Standard Arabic, which is understood in all Arab countries and
- the wide-ranging diversity of cultural practices and perspectives that make up the Arab world.
Arabic language courses can be taken to complete
- the international language requirement for the College of Liberal Arts,
- coursework for parts of the university’s general education program, and
- free elective credits.
Students have opportunities to
- participate in study-abroad opportunities in Arab countries and
- explore how Arabic can be utilized in experiential-learning opportunities.
Sequence
Arabic is offered as the following four-semester sequence:
- NELC 10000 Elementary Arabic I (typically offered every fall semester)
- NELC 15000 Elementary Arabic II (typically offered every spring semester)
- NELC 20000 Intermediate Arabic I (typically offered every fall semester)
- NELC 25000 Intermediate Arabic II (typically offered every spring semester)
What can I do after completing this sequence?
Arabic complements any major a student is pursuing.
After completing all four semesters of Arabic courses, students are able to
- communicate up to an intermediate level in Arabic;
- carry out simple day-to-day conversation and elaborate on common topics such as travel;
- read, write, and speak about major life events, major religious holidays, and major national holidays in the United States and the Arab world; and
- understand the variety of cultural practices and political structures that exist in Arabic-speaking countries.
Overview
In the first- and second-year French program, students
- learn various aspects of French and Francophone cultures;
- practice listening, speaking, writing, and reading in French; and
- are prepared for intermediate study in the French minor at Purdue Fort Wayne.
The first- and second-year French language courses can be taken to complete:
- the international language requirement for the College of Liberal Arts,
- coursework for parts of the university’s general education program, and
- free elective credits.
Students have opportunities to
- take courses on French and Francophone language, literature, art, culture, history, and politics at Purdue Fort Wayne and
- participate in study-abroad opportunities in France, Canada, or another part of the Francophone world.
Sequence
French is offered as the following four-semester sequence:
- FR 11100 Elementary French I (typically offered every fall semester)
- FR 11201 Elementary French II (typically offered every spring semester)
- FR 20301 Second-Year French I (typically offered every fall semester)
- FR 20401 Second-Year French II (typically offered every spring semester)
Second-year FR 20401 French II is the first course in the French minor program.
After FR 20401, you can complete the French minor with just four additional courses, which can be taken by combining on-campus and study-abroad course offerings.
What can I do after completing this sequence?
After completing all four first- and second-year French language courses, students are prepared
- to communicate up to an intermediate level in French;
- to communicate on topics ranging from everyday needs to personal interests;
- to read stories, poems and brief informational, journalistic and academic works on French and Francophone history and culture; and
- to write short personal and analytical essays in French.
Learning French strengthens any major and serves as a solid tool for graduate school.
Students are prepared to extend their study of French and Francophone language and cultures in the French minor, which can support career success in fields that require cultural sensitivity and awareness.
Overview
In the first- and second-year Spanish program, students
- learn various aspects of the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world;
- practice listening, speaking, writing, and reading in Spanish; and
- are prepared for intermediate and advanced study in the Spanish minor and Spanish B.A. at Purdue Fort Wayne.
The first- and second-year Spanish language courses can be taken to complete
- the international language requirement for the College of Liberal Arts;
- coursework for parts of the university’s general education program, and
- free elective credits.
Students have opportunities to:
- take courses on Spanish language, linguistics, literature, art, culture, history, and politics at Purdue Fort Wayne and
- participate in study-abroad opportunities in Spain, Mexico, Chile, Costa Rica, Peru, Argentina, Colombia, Uruguay, and many other places.
Sequence
Spanish is offered as the following four-semester sequence:
- SPAN 11101 Elementary Spanish I
- SPAN 11201 Elementary Spanish II
- SPAN 20301 Second-Year Spanish I
- SPAN 20401 Second-Year Spanish II
These courses are typically offered every semester.
SPAN 20401 Second-Year Spanish II is the first course in the Spanish minor program.
After SPAN 20401, you can complete the Spanish minor with just four additional courses, which can be taken by combining on-campus and study-abroad course offerings.
SPAN 20401 is also a prerequisite for SPAN 27500 Hispanic Culture and Conversation, which is the first course in the Spanish B.A. program.
What can I do after completing this sequence?
After completing all four first- and second-year Spanish language courses, students are prepared
- to communicate up to an intermediate level in Spanish;
- to communicate on topics ranging from everyday needs to personal interests;
- to read stories, poems and brief informational, journalistic and academic works on the history and culture of the Spanish-speaking world; and
- to write short personal and analytical essays in Spanish.
Learning Spanish strengthens any major and serves as a solid tool for graduate school.
Students are prepared to extend their study of the Spanish language and the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world in the Spanish minor or the Spanish B.A. program, both of which can support career success in fields that require cultural sensitivity and awareness.
Overview
In the first- and second-year German program, students
- learn various aspects of German culture;
- practice listening, speaking, writing, and reading in German; and
- are prepared for intermediate study in the German minor at Purdue Fort Wayne.
The first- and second-year German language courses can be taken to complete
- the international language requirement for the College of Liberal Arts,
- coursework for parts of the university’s general education program, and
- free elective credits.
Students have opportunities to
- take courses on German language, literature, art, culture, history, and politics and
- participate in study-abroad opportunities in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland.
Sequence
German is offered as the following four-semester sequence:
- GER 11100 Elementary German I (typically offered every fall semester)
- GER 11201 Elementary German II (typically offered every spring semester)
- GER 20301 Second-Year German I (typically offered every fall semester)
- GER 20401 Second-Year German II (typically offered every spring semester)
GER 20401 Second-Year German II is the first course in the German minor program.
After GER 20401, you can complete the German minor with just four additional courses, which can be taken by combining on-campus and study-abroad course offerings.
What can I do after completing this sequence?
After completing all four first- and second-year German language courses, students are prepared
- to communicate up to an intermediate level in German;
- to communicate on topics ranging from everyday needs to personal interests;
- to read stories, poems and brief informational, journalistic, and academic works on German history and culture; and
- to write short personal and analytical essays in German.
Learning German strengthens any major and serves as a solid tool for graduate school.
Students are prepared to extend their study of German language and cultures in the German minor, which can support career success in fields that require cultural sensitivity and awareness.
Overview
Students learn
- various aspects of Japanese cultural practices and perspectives;
- three different types of writing systems; and
- hiragana characters, katakana characters, and basic kanji characters.
Japanese language courses can be taken to complete
- the international Language requirement for the College of Liberal Arts,
- coursework for parts of the university’s general education program, and
- free elective credits.
Students have opportunities to
- take courses on Japanese culture at Purdue Fort Wayne and
- participate in study-abroad opportunities in Japan.
Sequence
Japanese is offered as the following four-semester sequence:
- EALC10101 Elementary Japanese I (typically offered every fall semester)
- EALC10201 Elementary Japanese II (typically offered every spring semester)
- EALC20101 Second-Year Japanese I (typically offered every fall semester)
- EALC20203 Second-Year Japanese II (typically offered every spring semester)
EALC 23100 Japan: The Living Tradition, a course on traditional Japanese cultural practices, is sometimes taught in the spring semester.
What can I do after completing this sequence?
Japanese complements any major a student is pursuing.
After completing all four semesters of Japanese courses, students are able to
- carry out simple day-to-day conversations;
- read simple news stories and other informational texts;
- write simple messages; and
- understand certain parts of Japanese tales, anime and movies.
Learning Japanese opens up a variety of career opportunities in both Japan and the United States. The language and cultural awareness you gain in the program serves as a gateway to other Asian languages and cultures.
Overview
Arabic is
- among the world’s top five most used languages,
- the primary language of 22 Arab countries,
- widely spoken in countries neighboring or interacting with those countries, and
- spoken by approximately 425 million people on a daily basis.
Students in our program learn
- Modern Standard Arabic, which is understood in all Arab countries and
- the wide-ranging diversity of cultural practices and perspectives that make up the Arab world.
Arabic language courses can be taken to complete
- the international language requirement for the College of Liberal Arts,
- coursework for parts of the university’s general education program, and
- free elective credits.
Students have opportunities to
- participate in study-abroad opportunities in Arab countries and
- explore how Arabic can be utilized in experiential-learning opportunities.
Sequence
Arabic is offered as the following four-semester sequence:
- NELC 10000 Elementary Arabic I (typically offered every fall semester)
- NELC 15000 Elementary Arabic II (typically offered every spring semester)
- NELC 20000 Intermediate Arabic I (typically offered every fall semester)
- NELC 25000 Intermediate Arabic II (typically offered every spring semester)
What can I do after completing this sequence?
Arabic complements any major a student is pursuing.
After completing all four semesters of Arabic courses, students are able to
- communicate up to an intermediate level in Arabic;
- carry out simple day-to-day conversation and elaborate on common topics such as travel;
- read, write, and speak about major life events, major religious holidays, and major national holidays in the United States and the Arab world; and
- understand the variety of cultural practices and political structures that exist in Arabic-speaking countries.
Overview
In the first- and second-year German program, students
- learn various aspects of German culture;
- practice listening, speaking, writing, and reading in German; and
- are prepared for intermediate study in the German minor at Purdue Fort Wayne.
The first- and second-year German language courses can be taken to complete
- the international language requirement for the College of Liberal Arts,
- coursework for parts of the university’s general education program, and
- free elective credits.
Students have opportunities to
- take courses on German language, literature, art, culture, history, and politics and
- participate in study-abroad opportunities in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland.
Sequence
German is offered as the following four-semester sequence:
- GER 11100 Elementary German I (typically offered every fall semester)
- GER 11201 Elementary German II (typically offered every spring semester)
- GER 20301 Second-Year German I (typically offered every fall semester)
- GER 20401 Second-Year German II (typically offered every spring semester)
GER 20401 Second-Year German II is the first course in the German minor program.
After GER 20401, you can complete the German minor with just four additional courses, which can be taken by combining on-campus and study-abroad course offerings.
What can I do after completing this sequence?
After completing all four first- and second-year German language courses, students are prepared
- to communicate up to an intermediate level in German;
- to communicate on topics ranging from everyday needs to personal interests;
- to read stories, poems and brief informational, journalistic, and academic works on German history and culture; and
- to write short personal and analytical essays in German.
Learning German strengthens any major and serves as a solid tool for graduate school.
Students are prepared to extend their study of German language and cultures in the German minor, which can support career success in fields that require cultural sensitivity and awareness.
Overview
In the first- and second-year French program, students
- learn various aspects of French and Francophone cultures;
- practice listening, speaking, writing, and reading in French; and
- are prepared for intermediate study in the French minor at Purdue Fort Wayne.
The first- and second-year French language courses can be taken to complete:
- the international language requirement for the College of Liberal Arts,
- coursework for parts of the university’s general education program, and
- free elective credits.
Students have opportunities to
- take courses on French and Francophone language, literature, art, culture, history, and politics at Purdue Fort Wayne and
- participate in study-abroad opportunities in France, Canada, or another part of the Francophone world.
Sequence
French is offered as the following four-semester sequence:
- FR 11100 Elementary French I (typically offered every fall semester)
- FR 11201 Elementary French II (typically offered every spring semester)
- FR 20301 Second-Year French I (typically offered every fall semester)
- FR 20401 Second-Year French II (typically offered every spring semester)
Second-year FR 20401 French II is the first course in the French minor program.
After FR 20401, you can complete the French minor with just four additional courses, which can be taken by combining on-campus and study-abroad course offerings.
What can I do after completing this sequence?
After completing all four first- and second-year French language courses, students are prepared
- to communicate up to an intermediate level in French;
- to communicate on topics ranging from everyday needs to personal interests;
- to read stories, poems and brief informational, journalistic and academic works on French and Francophone history and culture; and
- to write short personal and analytical essays in French.
Learning French strengthens any major and serves as a solid tool for graduate school.
Students are prepared to extend their study of French and Francophone language and cultures in the French minor, which can support career success in fields that require cultural sensitivity and awareness.
Overview
Students learn
- various aspects of Japanese cultural practices and perspectives;
- three different types of writing systems; and
- hiragana characters, katakana characters, and basic kanji characters.
Japanese language courses can be taken to complete
- the international Language requirement for the College of Liberal Arts,
- coursework for parts of the university’s general education program, and
- free elective credits.
Students have opportunities to
- take courses on Japanese culture at Purdue Fort Wayne and
- participate in study-abroad opportunities in Japan.
Sequence
Japanese is offered as the following four-semester sequence:
- EALC10101 Elementary Japanese I (typically offered every fall semester)
- EALC10201 Elementary Japanese II (typically offered every spring semester)
- EALC20101 Second-Year Japanese I (typically offered every fall semester)
- EALC20203 Second-Year Japanese II (typically offered every spring semester)
EALC 23100 Japan: The Living Tradition, a course on traditional Japanese cultural practices, is sometimes taught in the spring semester.
What can I do after completing this sequence?
Japanese complements any major a student is pursuing.
After completing all four semesters of Japanese courses, students are able to
- carry out simple day-to-day conversations;
- read simple news stories and other informational texts;
- write simple messages; and
- understand certain parts of Japanese tales, anime and movies.
Learning Japanese opens up a variety of career opportunities in both Japan and the United States. The language and cultural awareness you gain in the program serves as a gateway to other Asian languages and cultures.
Overview
In the first- and second-year Spanish program, students
- learn various aspects of the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world;
- practice listening, speaking, writing, and reading in Spanish; and
- are prepared for intermediate and advanced study in the Spanish minor and Spanish B.A. at Purdue Fort Wayne.
The first- and second-year Spanish language courses can be taken to complete
- the international language requirement for the College of Liberal Arts;
- coursework for parts of the university’s general education program, and
- free elective credits.
Students have opportunities to:
- take courses on Spanish language, linguistics, literature, art, culture, history, and politics at Purdue Fort Wayne and
- participate in study-abroad opportunities in Spain, Mexico, Chile, Costa Rica, Peru, Argentina, Colombia, Uruguay, and many other places.
Sequence
Spanish is offered as the following four-semester sequence:
- SPAN 11101 Elementary Spanish I
- SPAN 11201 Elementary Spanish II
- SPAN 20301 Second-Year Spanish I
- SPAN 20401 Second-Year Spanish II
These courses are typically offered every semester.
SPAN 20401 Second-Year Spanish II is the first course in the Spanish minor program.
After SPAN 20401, you can complete the Spanish minor with just four additional courses, which can be taken by combining on-campus and study-abroad course offerings.
SPAN 20401 is also a prerequisite for SPAN 27500 Hispanic Culture and Conversation, which is the first course in the Spanish B.A. program.
What can I do after completing this sequence?
After completing all four first- and second-year Spanish language courses, students are prepared
- to communicate up to an intermediate level in Spanish;
- to communicate on topics ranging from everyday needs to personal interests;
- to read stories, poems and brief informational, journalistic and academic works on the history and culture of the Spanish-speaking world; and
- to write short personal and analytical essays in Spanish.
Learning Spanish strengthens any major and serves as a solid tool for graduate school.
Students are prepared to extend their study of the Spanish language and the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world in the Spanish minor or the Spanish B.A. program, both of which can support career success in fields that require cultural sensitivity and awareness.
POlicies and Resources
Starting your language journey.
Before enrolling in a class in the first- or second-year language programs, you must take the ILCS Language Placement Survey, which is usually provided to students before or during New Student Orientation. If you're interested in being placed into a language class, please take the language placement survey linked below:
The language placement survey takes into account previous language experience, which will help ensure you are placed at the best level. Students with advanced language experience may be able to place into higher-level classes and accelerate their progress towards graduation.
Students who place into and pass courses at the second-semester level or higher are eligible to apply for special credit for the preceding courses in the sequence that they placed above. Students can receive up to 12 credit hours of special credit.
This credit is not automatically granted.
You must request that your advisor prepare a Directed Credit Form (Form 390FW, available on go.pfw.edu) on your behalf. Your advisor should send the completed form to the ILCS administrative assistant at [email protected].
Questions? Contact us at [email protected] or [email protected].
The ILCS language lab has technology, culture, and academic support resources to help support you as you pursue your international language studies.
The lab is located in the Liberal Arts Building, Room 258, and is open for students to socialize, practice speaking their target language, attend cultural events, and utilize international media resources.
Questions? Contact us at [email protected] or [email protected].