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Program Review

Degrees & Programs English Modern Language

As a language student at Westmont, you can study German at the elementary and intermediate levels and declare a major or minor in French or Spanish.

Majors become proficient in the language, spend a semester studying overseas and develop the intercultural sophistication to live comfortably and effectively in the French- and Spanish-speaking worlds. In small classes, professors draw on their personal experiences with the culture of the languages they teach and develop close relationships with students.  You also benefit from a well-equipped language laboratory and a flexible curriculum. Studying languages widens your perspective and appreciation of varied cultural heritages, prepares you to live in an ever-shrinking world and offers lifelong enrichment.

Sample Schedule

First Year
Fall (17)
  • ENG 46 (4)
  • FR 1 or SP 1 (4)
  • RS 10 or 20 (4)
  • Distribution/Elective (4)
  • PEA 32 (1)
Spring (17)
  • ENG 47 (4)
  • FR 2 or SP 2 (4)
  • RS 10 or 20 (4)
  • Distribution/Elective (4)
  • PEA Elective (1)
Second Year
Fall (17)
  • ENG 117 (4)
  • FR 3 or SP 3 (4)
  • RS 1 (4)
  • Distribution/Elective (4)
  • PEA Elective (1)
Spring (17)
  • ENG 131 (4)
  • FR 4 or SP 4 (4)
  • Distribution/Elective (8)
  • PEA Elective (1)
Third Year
Fall (16)
  • FR or SP Literature (4)
  • Upper-Division RS requirement (4)
  • Distribution/Elective (8)
Spring (16)
  • FR or SP Literature (4)
  • ENG 183 (4)
  • Distribution/Elective (8)
Fourth Year
Fall (16)
  • FR or SP Literature (4)
  • Distribution/Elective (12)
Spring (12)
  • FR or SP Literature (4)
  • Distribution/Elective (8)
  • First Year
  • Second Year
  • Third Year
  • Fourth Year

Faculty Highlights

Dinora Cardoso, Ph.D.

Studies contemporary Latin American novels by women
 

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Mary Collier, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus

Knighted by the French government as a Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques for promoting French language and culture

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Mary Docter, Ph.D.

Has videotaped the oral history of a cross-section of people in Spain and Central and South America
 

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Leonor Eliás, Ph.D.

Speaks four languages and grew up in Mexico with parents from two cultures
 

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PAULINE RÉMY, PH.D.

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All Faculty

See all Modern Languages Adjunct Faculty

Administrative Assistant

Joanna Martin

Joanna Martin ('22) graduated from Westmont with a BA in Music. She was drawn to working for the Modern Languages Department due to her love for language, having spent time studying abroad in France and speaking French in various professional roles. Outside of this job, she also advises freshmen as a Student Success Coach, spends time enjoying beautiful Santa Barbara with friends, and composes music as a songwriter.

Email: jomartin@westmont.edu
Tel: (805) 565-6079
Office: Reynolds Hall

Career Paths

Becoming proficient in a second language and understanding people of another culture provide valuable competencies for any profession or career. You prepare to live and move in the global community as attractive and articulate witnesses for Christ. Every field needs people capable of communicating meaningfully with others, including:

  • Foreign Missions
  • Domestic Human-Service Agencies
  • Education
  • International Business
  • Law
  • Government Services
  • The Arts

See career paths for graduates who majored or minored in modern languages at Westmont.

Current Events
Previous
Mary Docter paper presentation

Mary Docter joined with Laura Montgomery and Timothy Klinger of Wheaton College to present a paper, “The Ethic of Encounter: Teaching to Listen, to Learn and to Love,” at the North American Regional Conference of the International Association for the Promotion of Christian Higher Education at Calvin College. 
 

Lilly Grant awarded for diversity project

Tatiana Nazarenko and Dinora Cardoso received a grant from Lilly Fellows Programs in Humanities and the Arts for a diversity project, “From All Tribes and People and Languages.” They have been giving presentations on the diversity research they did last year for Westmont’s Institutional Learning Outcome assessment. They presented their paper, “Using Signature Assignments to Assess Student Learning about Diversity” in July at the Assessment and Collaboration Conference in Chicago.

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Advising Resources

Advising Spanish major worksheet
Advising Spanish, GE
Advising Spanish planner


Language Tables and Tutoring

Placement Test

English Modern Language Alumni

Samantha Corralejo ’11: “My Spanish minor is one of the most rewarding accomplishments of my undergraduate career, and it continues to provide benefits in my professional and personal development. To experience all the benefits of learning a foreign language, make the most of your opportunities. Study abroad; I treasure my semester in Barcelona—I’ve returned twice. I developed lifelong friends, gained a strong appreciation for a culture other than my own, and bridged the gap between being a student of Spanish and a speaker of Spanish. Practice whenever you can. Have a Spanish-only rule with your classmates and professors, order your burrito in Spanish, volunteer to help the customer or client with limited English, or find an international pen pal. I earned a master’s degree in psychology at the University of the Pacific specializing in parenting research, and it was a blessing to communicate with Hispanic mothers in my parenting class in their language. I am now in a doctoral program in psychology at Utah State University and will use my Spanish to expand my clinical outreach.”

Laura Hasemeyer ’10: “I graduated from Westmont with a degree in Spanish. College is for memories, friends, and learning to live away from home, but I encourage you to soak up as much knowledge as you possibly can about something you enjoy. Additional schooling is expensive, and college is the best time in life to learn. At my first job, we often had Spanish-speaking callers.  Being bilingual helped me get hired and allowed me to handle these customers. I have also used Spanish to communicate with neighbors who don’t speak English and during an around-the-world trip I took with my husband.  I’m grateful for my wonderful professors and the opportunity to learn something that I love. I now work as a full stack web developer at Bracket Labs.”

Shelby Jones ’14: “I came to Westmont with a passion for Spanish but with little direction. Through my Spanish classes and my semester abroad in Querétaro with Westmont in Mexico, I learned to love the Spanish language and Hispanic culture that continue to shape my life. My Spanish literature professors exposed me to stories and novels that make statements about human nature and Hispanic culture alike. As a Christian, I have found it important to read the literature and study the culture of people from around the world to better understand humankind as God’s creation. I earned a master’s degree in Spanish literature at UC Davis and work at the university’s Dixon Language Center as an assistant instructor.

Justin Searway ’13: “Being able to speak Spanish played a role in being hiring for all my jobs, and I have used Spanish in each one. Westmont’s Spanish professors are some of the most knowledgeable scholars in their field and faithful and devoted believers who pursue knowledge and understanding to know God and glorify him. They are some of the wisest and kindest people I know, and they taught me as much about life as they did anything else. I lived with Dr. Elias’ family for a semester, worked closely with Dr. Cardoso on a special project, and traveled to Mexico with Dr. Docter, so I got to know them well. Talking with them and observing their personal disciplines have helped me understand concepts like my relationship with God and gender roles in our society and cultivated my ability to listen, develop the discipline of self-sacrifice, and live a tangible, authentic and relevant faith in Jesus Christ. I work as a content producer at the Rock Church in San Diego.

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