With the world becoming even more connected, it might be surprising to find that enrollment in language courses is actually down nationally.
But at Georgia State University the head of the language department is leading initiatives to make language study more appealing to students in the hope that they’ll be better prepared to compete in the global economy.
A report by the Modern Language Association found that enrollments in all languages on U.S. college campuses decreased by 6.7 percent between 2009 and 2013.
William Nichols, chair of the World Languages and Cultures department, acknowledged this challenge during a recent talk, noting that despite his passion, decade of teaching experience and his best sales pitches, it’s hard to prove the relevance of languages to students stingy with their time.
“As chair, I can tell you that no one listens to me,” he said with a laugh.
Nevertheless, amid the declining numbers, the department is redoubling its efforts now that students are being lured into majors they believe will guarantee them a well-paid job. Dr. Nichols said he understands this practical approach, but what they may not understand is that adding language capabilities actually makes them more competitive in the job market.
“This is something that businesses want,” he said.
To attract students, the department is making some “cosmetic” changes, changing the names of some courses, and also creating more classes based on subjects that students enjoy.
For instance, Dr. Nichols said that his department saw a new wave of students enrolling in Korean courses with the growing mainstream popularity of K-pop. According to the MLA report, Korean enrollment shot up nationally 44 percent between 2009-13.
The university has created the Office of International Initiatives to provide information on studying abroad and globally focused events on campus, along with the Center for Urban Language Teaching and Research, or CULTR.
CULTR, created through an $800,000 grant in 2014, is one of sixteen Language Resource Centers established by the Department of Education in 1990.
Its aim is to expand instruction in foreign languages before students arrive in college, especially in K-12 institutions in underprivileged communities. It’s the only urban research LRC in the Southeast.
The center will host a World Language Day Celebration on Friday, April 15, for high school students from 96 high schools across six counties. They will be given the opportunity to explore the linguistic and international diversity present in our urban communities and provide resources for language study.
While the CULTR initiative seeks to engage students before they step onto a campus like Georgia State’s for one day, GSU students are encouraged to take advantage of opportunities all year.
“There are resources at the university at your disposal,” Dr. Nichols said.
While the resources are there, students must be motivated because learning a second language takes work and time. That’s why marketing major Stephanie Bivins says she is not interested.
“I’m really not trying to add anything else to my plate on top of my business degree,” she said.
However, Dr. Nichols said learning a foreign language is good for international skills and diplomacy. Students should not expect to be fluent right away, but even the ability to communicate at the most basic level can help students stand out, and the more they’re rewarded through that interaction, the more incentive they have to continue studying.
For more information about the World Languages and Cultures Department at GSU, visit http://wlc.gsu.edu.
More information about the Office of International Initiatives can be found at http://international.gsu.edu.
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