Home Page | Department of Foreign Languages & Literatures

Welcome

The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures is part of the College of Liberal Arts and shares its vision for equipping well-rounded students for entry into the global community. Communication skills, linguistic dexterity, critical thinking and cultural awareness provide learners with the practical tools they will need in today’s competitive, multilingual marketplace; of equal importance is the broader understanding of society the student acquires through cultural exchange in the target language.

Our diverse course offerings range from basic-intermediate-advanced language studies and traditional linguistics and literature courses to topic-driven courses in film, cultural identity, and foreign language business. Students also can benefit from interdisciplinary “Languages Across the Curriculum” and “Service Learning” outreach courses that extend the classroom beyond the traditional campus. Students pursuing foreign language majors and minors and graduate degrees enjoy myriad careers in the fields of business, communications, education and government; many cite their foreign language skills as the foundation for their continued studies in medicine, law, business, and academia.

Foreign language study is simply part of a very basic liberal education: to educate is to lead out of confinement and narrowness and darkness.

25 Reasons to Study Foreign Languages

Foreign Language study creates more positive attitudes and less prejudice toward people who are different.
Analytical skills improve when students study a foreign language.
Business skills plus foreign language skills make an employee more valuable in the marketplace.
Dealing with another culture enables people to gain a more profound understanding of their own culture.
Creativity is increased with the study of foreign languages.
Graduates often cite foreign language courses as some of the most valuable courses in college because of the communication skills developed in the process.
International travel is made easier and more pleasant through knowing a foreign language.
Skills like problem solving, dealing with abstract concepts, are increased when you study a foreign language.
Foreign language study enhances one’s opportunities in government, business, medicine, law, technology, military, industry, marketing, etc.
A second language improves your skills and grades in math and English and on the SAT and GRE.
Four out of five new jobs in the US are created as a result of foreign trade.
Foreign languages provide a competitive edge in career choices: one is able to communicate in a second language.
Foreign language study enhances listening skills and memory.
One participates more effectively and responsibly in a multi-cultural world if one knows another language.
Your marketable skills in the global economy are improved if you master another language.
Foreign language study offers a sense of the past: culturally and linguistically.
The study of a foreign tongue improves the knowledge of one’s own language: English vocabulary skills increase.
The study of foreign languages teaches and encourages respect for other peoples: it fosters an understanding of the interrelation of language and human nature.
Foreign languages expand one’s view of the world, liberalize one’s experiences, and make one more flexible and tolerant.
Foreign languages expand one’s world view and limit the barriers between people: barriers cause distrust and fear.
Foreign language study leads to an appreciation of cultural diversity.
As immigration increases we need to prepare for changes in the American society.
One is at a distinct advantage in the global market if one is as bilingual as possible.
Foreign languages open the door to art, music, dance, fashion, cuisine, film, philosophy, science…
Foreign language study is simply part of a very basic liberal education: to “educate” is to lead out, to lead out of confinement and narrowness and darkness.

Scholarships

Non-Departmental Scholarships

National Italian American Foundation Scholarship Program

Departmental Scholarships

The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures invites qualified students to apply for the following scholarship opportunities which reward student excellence within our department and encourage incoming freshman to continue studying foreign languages:

Castanoli Young Scholars in Foreign Language

Two awards in the amount of $2000.00 given annually to reward high-achieving and motivated freshmen who are enrolled in Auburn University Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures courses.

The student must be a Department of Foreign Languages & Literatures Major or Minor
GPA based, 3.5 minimum GPA
Deadline: March 15th of each academic year

Instructions for Castanoli Young Scholars in Foreign Language
Application for Castanoli Young Scholars in Foreign Language

Wiatt Achievement Award

Thirty awards in the amount of $100.00 given annually to high-achieving students of any foreign language taught by the Auburn University Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures who meet the following criteria:

FL Majors, Minors qualify only for those languages without a Major (Italian, Russian, Chinese, Classics)
At least one awardee per language
Must have Sophomore, Junior, or Senior standing
GPA based, 3.5 minimum GPA
Deadline: March 15th of each academic year

Instructions for Wiatt Achievement Award
Application for Wiatt Achievement Award

Castanoli Abroad Award

Ten awards in the amount of $1000.00 given annually to help foreign language students defray the cost of their participation in Auburn University Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures Study Abroad Programs or in external study abroad programs with a foreign language component.

FL Majors, Minors qualify only for those languages without a Major (Italian, Russian, Chinese, Classics)
At least one awardee per language
Must have Sophomore, Junior, or Senior standing
GPA based, 3.5 minimum GPA
Deadlines: March 15th for Summer Study Abroad; November 15th for Spring semester Study Abroad (of each academic year)

Instructions for Castanoli Abroad Award
Application for Castanoli Abroad Award

For more information, please contact:

Lourdes Betanzos
Phone: (334) 844-6362; Fax: (334) 844-6378
E-mail: betanlo@auburn.edu

Pedro Cebollero
Phone: (334) 844-6363; Fax: (334) 844-6378
E-mail: pzc0001@auburn.edu

Pam Paine
Phone: (334) 844-6298; Fax: (334) 844-6378
E-mail: painepf@auburn.edu

Giovanna Summerfield
Phone: (334) 844-6359; Fax: (334) 844-6378
E-mail: summegi@auburn.edu

Books by our Faculty


Giovanna Summerfield	John Mazaheri	Iulia Pittman

Lourdes Betanzos	Robert Weigel	Pedro Cebollero

Monthly View

11/30/09 Chinese classes for children (11/30)

6:30 PM at Thach Hall 301
Chinese classes for children
Contact linxiangz@gmail.com for more information.
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12/02/09 Italian Department Reception

3:30 PM at Haley Center Eagle's Nest South
End of term reception
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12/02/09 CLA Reads! The Sharpshooter Blues in Literary Context

3:00 PM at Tichenor 310 (CLA Dean's Conference Room)
The Sharpshooter Blues in Literary Context, Sunny Stalter, Chantel Acevedo, Alicia Carroll, Department of ENglish
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12/02/09 Mesa española (12/2)

7:00 PM at Olde Auburn Ale House, Tichenor Avenue, Auburn
Spanish Conversation Group
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12/02/09 French Conversation Table (12/2)

9:30 PM at Piccolo, inside Ariccia Trattoria & Bar
French Conversation Group
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