Webster University: Department of International Languages and Cultures

Department of International Languages and Cultures

Majors and Degrees Offered

Minors Offered

Certificate Offered

International Languages

Course Listings

Opportunities for Study

In keeping with the mission of Webster University as a whole, the Department of International Languages and Cultures encourages creativity and critical thinking while preparing students to be competitive in today's global marketplace. Personalized instruction from faculty trained in different areas of international languages and cultures increases students' awareness of their own values and paradigms as well as those of others.

The department integrates technology with linguistic and cultural skills that will give students an edge in Webster-based internship and study abroad programs as well as post-graduation job opportunities. In language courses, communication in the target language is the primary goal with all four basic skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) practiced from the very first day. Although cultural lessons are also an integral part of the language courses, other interdisciplinary courses (in both the target language and in English) focus on specific themes in regional cultures. Literature courses introduce students to contemporary literary theories in the context of individual socio-historical and linguistic communities.

The International Languages and Cultures Department offers a full range of courses in English as a Second Language, French, German, and Spanish, and courses in Japanese for the minor. When there is sufficient interest, other languages are also offered, such as Arabic, Dutch, Chinese (Mandarin), Italian, Latin, Russian and Thai.

The department has the resource of teaching assistants from Argentina, France, and Germany or Austria, and Japan. There is an exchange of students as assistant instructors between Webster University and the Universidad Nacional de Cuyo in Mendoza, Argentina, and between Webster and the Université de Toulouse, France. Advanced students of Spanish and French have the opportunity to apply for these assistantships. There are summer business internship possibilities in Germany, Japan, and Mexico. Webster University offers a dual degree program with Kansai University in Japan. The department also provides unique study abroad programs in France and Argentina, Austria and France.

Specific scholarships are available for the study of French, German or Spanish. Consult with admissions for more information.

Language Recognition Credit

"Language Recognition Credit" is designed for new students who already have proficiency in a second language. Students who enroll in their first 3-credit language course (other than 1070/1080 and 1090) at Webster, and complete the course with a grade of B or better (not B-), will be awarded recognition credit. Up to 12 recognition credit hours can be earned. These credit hours are the same as would be awarded if the student took the corresponding course. These credit hours also share the same general education coding (Cultural Understanding) as the corresponding courses. Please contact the department for more information.

ILC Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students should:

Be familiar with and cultivate an appreciation for the complexities of a culture (or other cultures) different from their own.
Be familiar with multiple cultural perspectives based on original texts and cultural materials.
Be able to critically reflect on their own culture and its place in the world.
Be able to question cultural stereotypes.
Be able to communicate successfully and sensitively (according to linguistic level), both orally and in writing, with people from another culture through an understanding of their language and culture.
Be able to express their personality, values and complex thoughts (according to linguistic level) in a language other than their native one.

Special Requirements

Courses completed with a grade lower than C do not count toward fulfilling the specific course requirements of the major. Courses at the 3000 level may only be taken pass/fail with permission of the chair of the department.

Teacher certification courses (e.g., ILC 4060) may not be used to satisfy upper-level coursework in the appropriate language.

Students whose primary language is not English must take English as a Second Language (ESLG) courses until they pass their English Language Proficiency requirements.

English as a Second Language
(St. Louis Program)

The English as a Second Language (ESL) program at Webster University in St. Louis combines instruction in English with coursework in other academic disciplines. Courses offered in the ESL program are labeled ESLG in this catalog and in University course listings. With the help of an academic advisor, students enroll in appropriate ESLG courses along with an additional course offered in cooperation with the St. Louis ESL program. This combination of ESL coursework with study in another discipline is designed to increase the students' fluency while providing them with practical experience in using and understanding academic English. The courses offered in conjunction with the ESL program are drawn from a variety of academic areas. Based on their placement test scores, students in St. Louis may take one or two semesters of ESLG courses. These courses are offered at the intermediate and the advanced levels. An undergraduate student who successfully completes the intermediate level of the ESL program in St. Louis will earn 11 credit hours (10 in ESLG and 1 in another academic discipline). An undergraduate student who successfully completes the advanced level of the ESL program in St. Louis will earn 11 credit hours (10 in ESLG and 1 in another academic discipline). Graduate students do not receive ESL credit; however, a record of their achievement in all ESLG courses is posted on their official University transcripts.

Students whose primary language is not English will be tested upon arrival in order to determine their proper academic placement. Based on the placement test results, students may be enrolled in ESLG courses, other academic courses, or a combination of the two.

International Webster University Campuses

Students whose primary language is not English must take ESLG courses until they pass their English language proficiency require-ments. No more than 36 credit hours of ESLG courses may count toward the 128-credit-hour graduation requirement.