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Department: Language Center

Contacts

Office: 450 Jane Stanford Way, Building 30
Mail Code: 94305-2015
Phone: (650) 725-9222
Email: languagecenter@stanford.edu
Web Site: http://language.stanford.edu

The Stanford Language Center oversees all language instruction at Stanford. The center's charge is to guarantee that Stanford language programs are of the highest quality; to develop and administer achievement and proficiency tests needed to implement the language requirement; to provide technical assistance and support to the graduate students, lecturers, and faculty who deliver Stanford's language instruction; and to take leadership in research and development efforts in language learning. The Language Center is a unit within the Division of Literatures, Cultures, and Languages.

Courses

Courses offered by the Language Center are listed under the following subject codes on the Stanford Bulletin's ExploreCourses website:

Beginning-Level, First-Year Courses

Beginning-level, first-year language courses require no previous knowledge of the language. The beginning-level sequence emphasizes development of the full range of language skills, reading, listening comprehension, the use of grammatical structures, and oral and written communication, through a variety of learning themes. Individual, small group, interactive work and multimedia-based activities reinforce language skills and provide the platform for adapting the curriculum to specific student learning goals. Cultural awareness is a strong component of the curriculum.

Intermediate-Level, Second-Year Courses

Intermediate-level, second-year language courses require completion of the beginning sequence, corresponding placement or consent of the program coordinator. The intermediate-level sequence focuses on continuous mastery and development of skills that help students to converse and present accurately and more fluently, incorporate more advanced grammatical structures in their oral and written work, use idiomatic expressions in the right context, and read and write more sophisticated compositions. Curricular objectives and enhanced cultural understanding are built into the courses through a multimodal approach.

Advanced-Level, Third-Year Courses

Advanced-level, third-year language courses require completion of the intermediate-year sequence, corresponding placement, or consent of the program coordinator. The advanced-level sequence focuses on accurate understanding and use of structures through authentic texts and multimedia materials, and readings from various genres. Individual learning goals and student proficiency are taken into account to provide a learning environment that helps students become more autonomous learners.

Proficiency in Foreign Language Notation

A student who demonstrates levels of achievement equivalent to those expected at the end of the third quarter of the third year of study in a language may be awarded the notation "proficiency in" that language on the official transcript. Successful candidates tend to have completed the third year or beyond of language study at Stanford and spent considerable time studying abroad in the foreign language.

In order to receive the proficiency notation and for it to appear on the official transcript, the student must complete the following oral and written requirements according to the timeline below. The notation is available only for languages where external assessment is offered through Language Testing International. Successful completion of the oral component is required before proceeding with the written component.

Both oral and written components must be completed no later than the quarter preceding the graduating quarter.

For more information visit http://language.stanford.edu or contact languagecenter@stanford.edu.

Application and Oral Component: Two quarters prior to graduation

  1. Notify the Language Center via email of the intent to pursue the notation and request an official Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI). Since this is a formal interview conducted according to national academic and professional standards, at least two quarters of lead time are essential for scheduling.

  2. Complete the 30-minute Oral Proficiency Interview as scheduled through the Language Center and conducted by a certified OPI tester. The interview must take place no later than one quarter prior to graduation and be administered on campus

  3. Receive an official rating of Advanced Low or higher on the Foreign Service Institute/American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (FSI/ACTFL) scale of oral proficiency, except in the non-cognate languages which require a minimum rating of Intermediate High. Students who do not meet the minimum level for the notation will nonetheless receive an official OPI rating, which carries national recognition of their oral proficiency.

Writing Component: One quarter prior to graduation

  1. Once approved to continue with the writing component, schedule a Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) through the Language Center. As an official writing assessment, the 90-minute exam must take place no later than one quarter prior to graduation and as soon as possible after the interview. The WPT is administered on campus and rated by a certified WPT rater.

  2. Receive an official rating of Advanced Low or higher on the Foreign Service Institute/American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (FSI/ACTFL) scale of writing proficiency, except in the non-cognate languages which require a minimum rating of Intermediate High. Students who do not meet the minimum level for the notation will nonetheless receive an official WPT rating, which carries national recognition of their writing proficiency.

Proficiency Notation Timetable

  1. Graduating Spring/Summer: Apply Autumn; interview Autumn/Winter; writing Winter.

  2. Graduating Autumn: Apply Winter; interview Winter/Spring; writing Spring.

  3. Graduating Winter: Apply Spring; interview Spring/Autumn; writing Autumn.

Overseas Studies Courses in the Language Center

For course descriptions and additional offerings, see the listings in the Stanford Bulletin's ExploreCourses website or the Bing Overseas Studies website. Students should consult their department or program's student services office for applicability of Overseas Studies courses to a major or minor program.

African and Middle Eastern Languages and Literatures Program

The African and Middle Eastern Languages and Literatures Program offers classes in Hebrew, Persian, Swahili, Turkish, and African languages not regularly taught at Stanford. Based on current funding and student requests, the courses planned for the 2020-21 academic year are listed in the ExploreCourses section of this Bulletin under the AMELANG program. Additional languages may still be offered upon request, provided funding is available. Requests for the 2021-22 academic year should be made by Spring Quarter of this year to the AME program office by email to khalil@stanford.edu.

First-, second-, and third-year each refer to the yearly sequence of language study.  Letter suffixes refer to the quarter within the sequence: "A" courses (1st Quarter) are typically taught in Autumn; "B" courses (2nd Quarter), in Winter; and "C" courses (3rd Quarter) in Spring.  Courses are 4 or 5 units as listed. In some circumstances, a beginning or intermediate course may be offered in alternate years. Language courses may not be repeated for credit, and must be taken in sequence.

Fulfilling the Language Requirement in AME

Students can fulfill the language requirement by taking an African or Middle Eastern language. At least 12 units are needed to complete the requirement. Students who have taken courses in the relevant language at another institution, or have previous knowledge of the language, can request to be tested. Tests are comprised of two parts, written and oral. Students must display completion of first-year level proficiency in the requested language to fulfill the requirement. Testing is guaranteed only for languages currently offered. Students planning to take a test must contact the AME program coordinator no later than the Spring Quarter of their sophomore year. To submit a request for language testing, or to request that a language be taught, and for further information on the program, see the African and Middle Eastern Language Program website.

Special Language Program

The Special Language Program (SLP) offers foreign languages not otherwise taught at Stanford. Based on current funding and student requests, the courses planned for the 2021-22 academic year are listed in the ExploreCourses section of this Bulletin under the Special Languages (SPECLANG) Program; however, not every course listed is taught. Additional languages may still be offered upon request, provided funding is available. Requests for the 2021-22 academic year should be made by Spring Quarter of this year at the Special Language Program office (sergul@stanford.edu).

First-year courses are offered for 4 or 5 units, as listed. First-, second-, and third-year each refer to the yearly sequence of language study. Letter suffixes refer to the quarter within the sequence: "A" courses (1st Quarter) are typically taught in Autumn; "B" courses (2nd Quarter), in Winter; and "C" courses (3rd Quarter) in Spring. In some circumstances, a beginning or intermediate course may be offered in alternate years. Language courses may not be repeated for credit, and must be taken in sequence.  For additional information, see the Special Language Program website.

Fulfilling the Language Requirement in Special Language Program

Students can fulfill the language requirement by taking courses offered by the Special Language Program. At least 12 units are needed to complete the requirement. Students who have already taken courses in the relevant language at another institution, or who have previous knowledge of the language, can request to be tested. Tests are comprised of written and oral parts. A student must display completion of first-year level proficiency in the requested language in order to fulfill the requirement. Testing is guaranteed only for these languages currently offered. Students planning to take a test must contact the Special Language Program no later than the Spring Quarter of sophomore year. To submit a request for language testing, or to request that a language be taught, and for further information on the program, contact the Special Language Program office by email to sergul@stanford.edu.

Faculty

Director: Elizabeth Bernhardt

Associate Director: Joan Molitoris

African and Middle Eastern Languages

Coordinator: Khalil Barhoum

Lecturers: Ameneh Shervin Emami (Persian), Saadet Ebru Ergul (Turkish), Samuel Mukoma (Swahili), Gallia Porat (Hebrew), Vered Shemtov (Sr. Lecturer in Jewish Language & Literature)

Arabic Language

Coordinator: Khalid Obeid

Lecturers: Khalil Barhoum (Sr. Lecturer), Thoraya Boumehdi, Ramzi Salti

Catalan Language

Coordinator: Joan Molitoris (Associate Director, Language Center)

Chinese Language

Coordinator: Chao Fen Sun (Professor, East Asian Languages and Cultures)

Lecturers: Marina Chung, Michelle DiBello, Nina Lin,  Le Tang, Huazhi Wang, Hong Zeng, Youping Zhang, Xiaofang Zhou, Xinjie Chen

English for Foreign Students

Coordinator: Kristopher Geda

Lecturers: Robyn Brinks Lockwood, Seth Streichler, Dominic Wang

French Language

Coordinator: Marie Lasnier

Lecturers: Heather Howard, Alix Mazuet, Vera Shapirshteyn, Tanya Shasko

German Language

Coordinator: Paul Nissler

Lecturer:  Patric Di Dio Di Marco

Italian Language

Coordinator: Professor Elizabeth Bernhardt (Director of the Language Center)

Lecturers: Marta Baldocchi, Alessandra McCarty, Giovanni Tempesta

Japanese Language

Coordinator: Yoshiko Matsumoto (Professor, East Asian Languages and Cultures)

Lecturers: Momoyo Kubo Lowdermilk, Emiko Yasumoto Magnani, Momoe Saito Fu, Xiaoman Miao, Yoshiko Tomiyama

Korean Language

Coordinator: Hee-Sun Kim

Lecturers: Hannah Yoon

Portuguese Language

Coordinator and Senior Lecturer: Lyris Wiedemann

Lecturer: Agripino Silveira

Slavic Language

Coordinator: Eugenia Khassina

Lecturers: Rima Greenhill (Sr. Lecturer)

Spanish Language

Coordinator: Alice Miano

Lecturers: Vivian Brates, Citlalli del Carpio, Joan Molitoris (Associate Director, Language Center), Carimer Ortiz Cuevas, Kara Sanchez, Ana Maria Sierra, María Cristina Urruela, Juan Valdez, Ana Vivancos, Tom Winterbottom,  Hae-Joon Won

Special Language Program

Coordinator: Saadet Ebru Ergul

Lecturers: Cathy Haas (ASL),

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