The Daily Bulletin Archive

A recent report by the Modern Language Association cites a 13 percent enrollment increase in foreign-language classes at American colleges and universities, with Arabic and Chinese showing the most dramatic gains. Buffalo State’s Modern and Classical Languages Department is experiencing the same trend.

Although Spanish and French continue to be the dominant classes in the department, enrollment in these areas has been down slightly in recent years while Chinese continues to strengthen, according to Deborah Hovland, associate professor and department chair.

“We’re making adjustments to meet student demand,” she said. “We offered a third-year-level Chinese class for the first time this fall, and are excited about the debut of Arabic 101 this spring.”

“Language departments have changed, just as the world has changed,” added Marcia Burns, secretary of Modern and Classical Languages. “I think politics also dictates what’s popular. I remember back in the late 80s and early 90s when more college students became interested in learning the Russian language.”

The Modern and Classical Languages Department regularly offers seven languages—Chinese, French, German, Italian, Latin, Spanish, and Swahili—with 14 classes at the 100 level this semester. About 75 students major in French, Spanish, or foreign-language education, while many more minor in French, German, Italian, or Spanish.

According to Burns, Buffalo State enrollment statistics would appear skewed over the course of this decade, since the foreign-language requirement recently dropped from four to two classes. The move essentially eliminated demand for 200-level courses, but resulted in “more serious students” remaining for 300-level courses.

The intro-level Arabic class, which becomes the eighth language offered by the department, will be taught by Associate Professor Rafika Merini on Mondays and Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m. Six students have already signed up for the 3-credit course, which is an alternative to a longer 5-credit course offered by the University at Buffalo. Hovland said Buffalo State students occasionally took Arabic classes at UB, and she welcomes any UB students wishing to take advantage of the shorter class now offered here.

Merini’s aim for students upon completion of Arabic 101 is that they be able to use the language in “everyday situations to express immediate and straightforward practical information.” She will teach Arabic script, vocabulary, verb conjugation, and sentence structure.

In addition to the variety of classes, Burns points to other offerings that make for a strong department, such as active French, German, and Spanish clubs; small class sizes; a certification program for foreign-language education; immersion programs in Quebec, Italy, and Spain; and a French suite in North Wing. “This semester, we’re graced by the presence of Fulbright Scholar Hélène Loncke,” said Burns. “She and seven students live in the suite, and they all have to speak French when they’re there. It’s part of a 3-credit class, and the students keep journals of their experiences.” Additionally, Burns said the department is working with the College Senate to build a foreign-language education master’s program and is also hoping to create a Seneca language class.

As for the increased interest in Chinese and the addition of Arabic 101, Hovland said the shift not only answers a need, but also reflects Buffalo State students. “Students here are practical,” she said. “They want to apply what they learn, not only in the academic sense but especially on the job. For example, more students are taking Chinese not only because China is in the news and because there is an increased presence of Chinese students on campus, but particularly because it’s a tremendous asset in the business world.”

Hovland and Burns agree that language classes are doubly effective when they are part of cross-disciplines. They point to programs such as hospitality and tourism, education, international studies, and political science as natural complements for students. And regardless of how times may change, Hovland says, there will always be a need to study languages other than English.

“Certainly, modern and classical languages offer many practical applications, such as teaching abroad,” she said. “But it’s also a joy to study a language, in and of itself.”