Foreign Languages

Sartori (chairperson), Cornell, Galarce, Reis.

Mission and Programs

The deparment of Foreign Languages is composed of five full‑time faculty members (two in French and three in Spanish), a number of adjunct faculty, and two first language assistants (one in French and one in Spanish). The department offers majors in French and in Spanish. Minors are offered in French and Spanish, and minors in German and Japanese are possible with study abroad.

The primary mission of the Department of Foreign Languages is to teach communication skills in a language or languages other than the first language and to develop in students an awareness, understanding, and appreciation of cultural systems other than their own. Secondarily, the department prepares students for career opportunities in a world increasingly in need of citizens competent in other languages and assists them in adapting to the multi‑ethnic environments and value orientations of others within our own pluralistic society. By recognizing universal features of language and culture, the Department of Foreign Languages strives to foster a sense of humanity; by recognizing linguistic and cultural differences, it strives to cultivate tolerance. This training in skills, knowledge, cultural awareness, and values is consonant with the liberal arts mission of Otterbein College.

French or Spanish language teacher licensure (grades P - 12)

Requirements for students seeking French or Spanish teacher licensure are listed in the Teacher Education Programs handbook, available in the Education Department. Requirements for the French and Spanish major and teacher licensure may differ somewhat, but both must be met to become licensed, and the major must be completed to receive a Bachelor’s degree. To be recommended for teacher licensure, a student must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or better, have a 2.5 grade point average in the teaching area, be in good standing with the Education Department, have positive recommendations from student teaching, and have successfully passed the appropriate Praxis II exams.

Students are urged to consider combining a major or minor in a foreign language with a second field such as business, political science, pre-med, sociology or international relations. Education majors should consider seeking teaching licensure in two languages.

Courses offered under English as a Foreign Language program are open only to students whose first language is not English and whose English proficiency is inadequate for pursuing regular academic work. Students are placed in the appropriate courses on the basis of an entrance examination in English. Students may leave the English program and register for courses in their major field of interest upon attaining a TOEFL score of 500 and/or receiving the recommendation of their instructor. No more than 15 quarter hours may be applied toward a degree.

Program Outcomes

French: This program of study may qualify students to teach French in a private school, or to apply for graduate study in French or a related field. Students are encouraged to combine a major in French with course work in another area, such as, for example, international business, in which fluency in a second language is an asset.

French Education: This course of study leads to teacher licensure and prepares students for teaching French in the public school, Pre K-12. This program may also qualify the student to apply for graduate study in French and/or foreign language education, or to enter other related professions. Otterbein is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Spanish: This program of study may qualify students to teach Spanish in a private school, or to apply for graduate study in Spanish or a related field. Students are encouraged to combine a major in Spanish with course work in another area, such as, for example, international business, in which fluency in a second language is an asset.

Spanish Education: This course of study leads to teacher licensure and prepares students for teaching Spanish in the public school, Pre K-12. This program may also qualify the student to apply for graduate study in Spanish and/or foreign language education, or to enter other related professions. Otterbein is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

About Otterbein

Apply to Otterbein

Campus Life

On Campus

Contact Otterbein

Foreign Languages

Mission and Programs

French or Spanish language teacher licensure (grades P - 12)

Program Outcomes

Foreign Languages Courses

Foreign Languages

Courses