German
Knowledge of other languages and cultures is increasingly essential in the global marketplace. At Berry College, you can earn a major or minor in French, German or Spanish. You might be preparing for graduate study or professional training. Maybe you want to give your future career a boost by becoming proficient in a second language. Some students choose to pursue a double major that includes the language of their choice and another subject, such as business, government or education. Learning a language can also lead to opportunities to study, work and volunteer in other countries. Three 2008 graduates received Fulbright scholarships to teach English in Austria for two semesters; a 2010 graduate received a Fulbright scholarship to teach English in Spain. At Berry, you will find a variety of options for expanding your horizons abroad. Careers for foreign language majors include secondary and post-secondary education, translation, international diplomacy, business, immigration services and mission work, among others. If you’d like to teach French, German or Spanish, you can earn a P-12 education minor in that language. We promote the training of language teachers through Berry’s Charter School of Education and Human Sciences.
Who Teaches Foreign Languages at Berry?
Members of the foreign language faculty hold doctorates from such notable institutions as Emory University; Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey; Tulane University; the University of Georgia; the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; the University of Washington; and the University of Wisconsin. A number are native speakers of the language they teach. In recent years, students have also had the opportunity to interact with Fulbright scholars from France and Germany in and out of the classroom. Are there opportunities for language practice outside the classroom? Berry’s newly renovated Language Resource Center, which is staffed primarily by foreign language majors, is available to students for oral practice and listening all day and many evenings. We also have a busy foreign film schedule and an International Club. Foreign language professors hold conversation hours and even organize extracurricular events, such as Spanish plays, for students.
Is it Possible to Study a Foreign Language Abroad? Si, Oui and Na, Klar!
We offer many exciting opportunities for foreign language study abroad. All foreign language programs offer summer, semester and yearlong sessions. As a participant, you’ll get a thorough orientation and will stay in a residence hall or private home so that you will be more deeply immersed in the culture of your host country. There is on-site student support, and cultural excursions are included.
The German Major
German is a key business language in the European Union and the rapidly growing markets of Central and Eastern Europe. German courses at Berry emphasize proficiency and cultural literacy. Those who hold degrees in German work in many fields, including business, government, medicine, law and the arts.
Germany or Austria?
As a Berry student, you have the choice to enroll on a transient basis at the University in Regensburg, study with the International Education of Students (IES) program in Berlin or Freiburg, or attend summer school at the University of Eichstätt. Regardless of the location and course of study, you can be certain that you’ll have the chance to experience Germany’s diverse cultural and social scenes firsthand. A summer internship in Germany is another option and provides an excellent opportunity to gain international work experience. Internship placements are available in a variety of fields including business, communication, international relations and the nonprofit sector. Most internships are paid; scholarships are available to qualified participants who pursue an unpaid position. The German government awards American students approximately 2,000 grants each year for study and research in Germany. German majors can also study with the American Institute for Foreign Students (AIFS) in Salzburg, Austria. AIFS offers content courses in English for those just beginning to learn the German language. You can take German language courses while completing 300- level courses in other subjects.