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World Languages

  • Would you like to become more connected with our global community?
  • Have you considered how you could become a more effective witness for Christ in other cultures?
  • Would you like to be able to communicate with citizens of other countries when you travel abroad?
  • Do you want to have a linguistic advantage in the job market?

We can help you make these goals a reality in your life!

The goals of the world languages department are to aid students in:

  • gaining knowledge and appreciation of languages other than English; that is, their linguistic structure and the cultures and literatures that make use of these languages;
  • achieving an appropriate level of proficiency in each of the four language skills: understanding, speaking, reading, and writing;
  • reaching some understanding of language as an important aspect of man's being created in the image of God, and a basic means of expressing God's love and salvation in a meaningful and personal way.

Four semesters of Arabic study (Modern Standard Arabic, with some exposure to Egyptian and other dialects) enable students to converse at a basic level on everyday topics and read and write at a beginning intermediate level. Horizons expand as students become familiar with the very different structure and writing system of this non-European language and learn something about the cultures and worldviews of its speakers.

French students at Covenant are excited about learning not only the structure and vocabulary of the language, but also the fascinating differences in modern French culture and society. The advanced students study the details of correct French pronunciation and the richness of French literature during the 16th through the 18th centuries. Our students take advantage of study-abroad opportunities in Aix-en-Provence in southern France.

German students at Covenant are immersed in the rich culture of German-speaking Europe whether in conversation or in film studies, history or literature. With opportunities for service to the largest language group in Europe with MTW in eastern Berlin and study abroad during the academic year or in the summer, students are provided with additional incentives for further language development.

Spanish is becoming ever more popular and useful even here in our own nation. Even the beginning student has ample opportunity to practice with native speakers of Spanish, either here on campus or in the Chattanooga / Northwest Georgia community. You will learn conversational skills and structure in the beginning and intermediate levels, as well as interesting cultural information about the Spanish-speaking world. In the advanced levels you will study the structure, stylistics, literature, phonetics, culture, civilization, conversation and other aspects of the language in-depth.

American Sign Language, a language quickly growing in popularity due to its uniqueness and beauty, is the language of the Deaf Community right here in the United States. Students will learn beginning to intermediate conversational skills, vocabulary, and structure, with a special focus on aspects unique to a visual language. They will also delve into the rich history and culture of the American Deaf Community, dispelling common misconceptions and myths that surround the language and its native users.

"It’s part of Christian hospitality and showing loving concern for others when we take the effort to learn about another language and culture. It demonstrates Christ’s love to them."
- Dr. Sandy Shaw, professor emeritus of modern languages

 

Recent Senior Capstone Projects

  • “What’s the Verdict Regarding the Function and Usage of Slang”
  • “The Chicano Movement: Social Justice and Identity in Mexican-American Activism”
  • “An Exploration of Cultural Identity in North African Francophone Literature”
  • “National Socialism as Seen through the Eyes of Hobbes’ Work: A New Leviathan”
  • “A Study of Eighteenth Century French Botanical Exploration Efforts in North America”
  • “Educational Challenges of English Language Learners”
  • “German Giant Volkswagen and its Impact on the Outside World’s View of Germany and the Germans”

 

Where Our Alumni Are

Graduate Schools

  • Covenant College, Graduate School of Education
  • Brown University
  • Middlebury College
  • Cornell University, Summer Institute of Linguistics
  • University of Georgia Law School
  • Pennsylvania State University
  • Indiana University
  • University of Alabama
  • University of Edinburgh (Scotland)

Job Outcomes for World Languages majors

  • Missionary to Senegal, Mission to the World
  • Assistant lecturer in English at the Universite de Nantes
  • Founder, French Learning Center for Homeschooling
  • French teacher, Chattanooga Christian School
  • World Harvest Church Plant, Spain
  • Administrative assistant in German & English, Volkswagen
  • English as a second language teacher, EC Boston
  • Spanish teacher, Chattanooga Christian School

 

Programs, Courses, and Requirements

Majors

Minors

Graduate School of Education

Undergraduate Departments, Majors, Minors, Certificates, Concentrations, and Programs

Academic Certificates

  • Arts Administration
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Environmental Stewardship & Sustainability
  • Journalism and Society
  • Medical Ethics Consultation
  • Neuroscience
  • Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

Art

  • Art, 2-D Concentration 
  • Art, 3-D Concentration 
  • Art, Art History Concentration 
  • Art, Graphic Design Concentration 
  • Art, Photography Concentration 
  • Art minor
  • Art History minor

Biblical & Theological Studies

  • Biblical & Theological Studies 
  • Biblical & Theological Studies, Missions Concentration 
  • Biblical & Theological Studies minor
  • Biblical Languages minor
  • History of Christianity minor
  • Missions minor
  • Youth Ministry minor

Biology

  • Biology, Biomedical Concentration 
  • Biology, Environmental Concentration 
  • Biology, General 
  • Biology, Health Professions Concentration 
  • Biology minor

Business

  • Business 
  • Business, Accounting Concentration 
  • Business, Finance Concentration 
  • Business, Marketing Concentration 
  • Sport Management 
  • Business minor
  • Sport Management minor

Chemistry

  • Chemistry, Biochemistry Concentration 
  • Chemistry, General 
  • Biochemistry minor
  • Chemistry minor

Computer Science

  • Computer Science 
  • Computer Science minor

Economics & Community Development

  • Community Development 
  • Economics 
  • Community Development minor
  • Economics minor

Education

  • Education Studies 
  • Elementary Education (P-5) 
  • Secondary Education Certifications through MAT program 
  • Education minor

Engineering 3:2 Program

  • Natural Science, Pre-Engineering Studies Concentration

English

  • English 
  • English, Writing Concentration 
  • English minor
  • Writing minor

Health, Wellness and Coaching

  • Coaching minor

History, Politics, and International Studies

  • History 
  • History, Art History Concentration 
  • Political Science 
  • International Studies 
  • History minor
  • Political Science minor

Interdisciplinary Studies

  • Interdisciplinary Studies with Concentrations 

Mathematics

  • Mathematics 
  • Mathematics minor

Music

  • Music, Church Music Concentration 
  • Music, Creative Studies Concentration 
  • Music, General Music Concentration 
  • Music, Instrumental Performance Concentration 
  • Music, Music Education (Pre-MAT) Concentration 
  • Music, Organ Performance Concentration 
  • Music, Piano Pedagogy Concentration 
  • Music, Piano Performance Concentration 
  • Music, Vocal Performance Concentration 
  • Music minor

Philosophy

  • Philosophy 
  • Philosophy minor

Physics

  • Physics 
  • Physics minor

Pre-Professional Programs

  • Pre-Law Studies 
  • Pre-Medical Studies 
  • Pre-Nursing Studies 
  • Pre-Physical Therapy Studies 

Psychology

  • Psychology 
  • Psychology minor

Sociology

  • Sociology 
  • Sociology, Family Studies & Social Work Concentration 
  • Sociology minor

Theatre

  • Theatre 
  • Theatre minor

World Languages

  • French 
  • Spanish 
  • French minor
  • Spanish minor