Department of Modern Languages
Welcome to the Modern Languages, Linguistics, and Cultural Studies Department Website!
We are a dedicated and experienced instructional team with diverse expertise and backgrounds offering you:
- a wide variety of language courses (French, German, Japanese, Mandarin, Linguistics, Punjabi, and Spanish) as well as courses in linguistics and cultural studies (instruction in English).
- small class size
- first and second year language courses are complemented by conversation labs that provide a high level of individual attention and support
- course-specific websites
- drop-in Learning Centres staffed by tutors who assist you with language learning
- study-abroad opportunities, short- and long-term, available in several countries (currently Chile, China, France, Germany, and Japan)
Langley:
Richmond:
Cultural Studies, French, German, Japanese, Linguistics, Mandarin, and Spanish
Surrey:
Cultural Studies, French, German, Japanese, Linguistics, Punjabi and Spanish
NOTE: There are restrictions on eligibility to register in some courses for native or near-native speakers of the language courses we offer. See sections on each language for details.
WHY TAKE A FOREIGN LANGUAGE COURSE?
Present and Future Studies
- Foreign language courses can help you fulfill your elective (e.g. BA and AA degrees) requirements.
- Knowing a second language is essential for your participation in Kwantlen’s semester abroad programs.
- As a foreign language student, you will become more aware of your own language while studying the structure of another.
- For your future studies, you will develop the ability to access 'directly' great works of literature, philosophy and the arts of another culture.
Your Career
- Employers know that students of foreign languages bring with them the marketable skill of being able to interact with confidence with people of different cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
- Second language skills result in increased career and employment opportunities in education, business, media, government, research, transportation, foreign affairs, tourism and a host of other industries.
Recognition of Achievement
- A student who has successfully completed 9 credits in one language (including 2201, with a grade of B or higher) at Kwantlen will receive a "Recognition of Achievement".
- A student who has successfully completed 9 credits in one language (including 2201, with a grade of B or higher) as well as 3 credits of Linguistics and 6 credits of another language (with grades of C+ or higher) at Kwantlen (total of 18 credits) will receive a "Modern Languages Recognition of Achievement".
- You will find the application form on the "Recognition of Achievement" page.
Modern Languages Student Award ($750)
This award is available to students pursuing language studies at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. The fund has been generously created by the faculty members of the Department of Modern Languages at Kwantlen Polytechnic University.
Criteria: completed a minimum of nine credits in language or linguistic studies; GPA of 3.0 or greater; performed community or volunteer service with activities related to cross-cultural studies or activities.
- Knowing a second language will give you an opportunity to communicate clearly and effectively when writing to and speaking with representatives of other cultures.
- A second language enables you to increase your understanding of diverse cultural traditions and worldviews.
For comprehensive information about our Modern Languages courses, please contact one of our language specialists: Faculty Listing.