World Languages

The Department of World Languages at Framingham State University offers a variety of classes in the areas of language arts, literature, linguistics, and culture.

The ability to communicate effectively in more than one language is at the core of the mission of the World Languages Department.  Expressing oneself in languages beyond one’s native language  makes it possible to view the world in new ways and engage with different cultural communities.  Proficiency in other languages enables individuals to transit borders and experience the interconnectedness of our world.  The benefits of learning other languages range from improved self-expression in one’s first language, enhanced cognitive abilities, sharpened critical thinking, and professional marketability.

Through literature, culture and linguistics courses as well as study-abroad opportunities, students gain an understanding of the diversity that is the very fabric of the communities in and around Framingham as well as across the globe.  Our international faculty and students are actively engaged in the surrounding community and abroad through internships and partnerships with schools, universities and community agencies.  Faculty and student research spans language, literature, culture, social, cultural, political and economic phenomena.

Our concentrations prepare students to be successful in a variety of careers such as in education, interpretation, business, international relations, or to embark on graduate studies in the United States and abroad.

In the Spotlight

Student Organization Spotlight
American Sign Language Club

American Sign Language

The American Sign Language club is a student-led organization that gives students in our ASL courses opportunities to practice using the language outside of class. Students meet regularly to bond and socialize, as well as organize presentations by Deaf presenters. Since 2019, students have attended presentations including Deaf History Month with Nico DiMarco, LGBTQIA+ in the Deaf Community with Blake Culley, LatinX in the Deaf Community with Ivy Velez and many more. The ASL club has also hosted social events like game nights, trivia, yoga, and paint nights all in ASL. Since it was started in 2019, the ASL club has helped students to progress in their ASL comprehension and production, as well as their understanding of Deaf culture.

 

Alumni Spotlight
Leo Souza '21

World Languages

As an undergraduate at Framingham State from 2017 to 2021, Leo Souza pursued the unique FSU major in World Languages with a concentration on French and Chinese linguistics. Leo’s international interests drove him to study abroad two times. He first enrolled in the CCIS Summer 2019 program in China, studying Mandarin Chinese language at Shanghai University. Next, his international education took him to the foothills of the French Alps as a Fall 2019 student on the ISEP Direct Semester Program at the Université Savoie Mont Blanc in Chambéry, France. After graduating from FSU this past summer, Leo is now working full-time in the Greater Boston area as a group home manager for a social services agency. The communication abilities he gained from study abroad, as well as the many soft skills that he picked up when traveling and living in other countries, are skills that he puts to use every day.  Leo now shares his love of international travel and language-learning with his students through his work as an instructor at a language school in Cambridge, MA.

Project Spotlight
HOLA FSU

Spanish

Check out a brand new podcast! HOLA FSU is a podcast hosted by Professor Beatriz Alvarado from the World Language Department and students from her Survey of Latin American Literature course. Students will be sharing their perspective on the writers that they study in their course. Following this, Professor Alvarado will interview members of the greater LatinX community. The podcast is available now on Anchor, Spotify, and Google podcast. The first episode, La configuración del mundo hispanoamericano, includes an interview with our very own President Cevallos. Be sure to follow us and give it a listen! 

¡Presten atención a este nuevo podcast! HOLA FSU es un podcast dirigido por la profesora Beatriz Alvarado del Departamento de Lenguas y estudiantes del curso Survey of Latin American Literature.  Los estudiantes compartirán sus reacciones acerca de los autores analizados en el curso y por su parte, la profesora Alvarado entrevistará a diversos miembros de la comunidad LatinX. El podcast está actualmente disponible Anchor, Spotify, y Google podcast. El primer episodio, La configuración del mundo hispanoamericano, incluye una entrevista con nuestro presidente la universidad, Dr. Cevallos. ¡Asegúrense de seguirnos y escucharnos!

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