GVSU Celebrates Languages
Please join us! Everyone is welcome; no language experience necessary.
Established to encourage and assist language students to study abroad and gain life experience in the language they are studying at Grand Valley.
Why language? Language is considered a critical part of a liberal arts education. Part of Grand Valley State University's vision and strategic priorities are to "inspire and equip students to be active life-long learners and global citizens" and to require global learning of all undergraduate majors. This does not mean that we expect all students to become fluent, but instead to have exposure to a second language and culture, which in turn leads to practical language skills. The Modern Languages and Literatures Department's language courses offer not just the chance to study a language, but to actively engage with another culture on its own terms.
Multiple studies link the benefits of language learning to:
The following professions are seeing an increased need for language skills:
Check out our majors, minors, and other language courses. Explore further reading on the importance of learning a foreign language.
Please join us! Everyone is welcome; no language experience necessary.
After moving to Michigan she enrolled at GVSU, where she graduate as a Spanish major. She continued her education as a mother of two, and taught Spanish at home, and/or worked as a Spanish Translator Interpreter.
During her two study abroad semesters in Schwäbisch Gmünd (near Stuttgart) in 2009 & 2010, the German language came to life for Elly. She lived with a host family in 2009, who inspired her to really improve her German.
She has found many more opportunities to be available to her with foreign language experience, including being able to work on international law, and she has been able to form more powerful connections with her clients.
German Reading Circle. Reading German Literature. Allow someone to practice their language skills in the LRC on November 6th 2023
Please join us! Everyone is welcome; no language experience necessary.