Languages

The Linguistics Department offers courses in a variety of languages. Some of these are offered on a regular basis, usually with the odd-numbered levels every fall and the even-numbered levels every spring. Courses in other languages are offered irregularly in response to interest.

Languages offered regularly:

• American Sign Language (ASL): eight levels of language study, plus courses in Deaf culture and a course in ASL linguistics
• Arabic (ARA): four levels of language study
• Chinese (CHI): four levels of language study
• French (FRE): six levels of language study, plus a conversation course and a French linguistics course
• German (GER): four levels of language study, plus a conversation course
• Italian (ITA): four levels of language study
• Latin (LAT): four levels of language study
• Spanish (SPA): six levels of language study, plus a conversation course and a Spanish linguistics course
• Wabanaki languages (WAB): four levels of Passamaquoddy/Wolastoqey, two levels of Abenaki

Other languages (LAN):

We offer courses in one or two languages each year that are not part of our regular language offerings. The irregularly offered languages have the prefix LAN. For example, four semesters of Somali would be numbered/titled this way: LAN 101: Beginning Somali I, LAN 102: Beginning Somali II, LAN 201: Intermediate Somali I, LAN 202: Intermediate Somali II. A course in another language would have the same numbering with a different language name in the title (for example, LAN 101: Beginning Farsi I).

We may also offer Wabanaki languages other than those listed above under the WAB prefix.

If you would like to study a language at USM that is not on the list of regular offerings, please let us know by filling out this form. If we get enough interest in the same language, we will try to offer it.

Level:

All the beginning and intermediate language offerings, including LAN, are four-credit courses and share the following level designations:

• 101: Beginning I – Learning outcome corresponds to ACTFL Novice Mid
• 102: Beginning II – Learning outcome corresponds to ACTFL Novice High
• 201: Intermediate I – Learning outcome corresponds to ACTFL Intermediate Low
• 202: Intermediate II – Learning outcome corresponds to ACTFL Intermediate Mid

ASL, French, German, and Spanish also have 300+ level courses:

• ASL 305: Practical American Sign Language I
• ASL 306: Practical American Sign Language II
• ASL 401: Advanced American Sign Language I
• ASL 402: Advanced American Sign Language II
• ASL 415: ASL Literature in ASL
• ASL 417: Deaf Art, Film, and Theater in ASL
• FRE 300: Conversational French
• FRE 301: Practical French I
• FRE 302: Practical French II
• GER 300: Conversational German
• SPA 300: Conversational Spanish
• SPA 301: Practical Spanish I
• SPA 302: Practical Spanish II

Starting at a higher level:

If you have studied a language for a few years in high school or if you have already learned some of the language from your family, then we urge you to start at a higher level. A higher-level course will be more beneficial to you than a beginning course. Furthermore, courses run more smoothly when the students are at approximately the same skill level.

If you would like to start a language at a higher level than 101:

• For ASL, you can take an assessment. Information on it is here.
• For other languages, please contact Jeanne Heil (jeanne.heil@maine.edu).

In addition to starting at a higher level, it is possible to get credits for certain language courses by taking an exam. More information on that is here.

Core Curriculum designations:

All of the 101-202 language courses (including LAN) meet the Cultural Interpretation requirement. FRE 202, GER 202, ITA 202, and SPA 202 also meet the International requirement. ASL 201 and 202 also meet the Engaged Learning requirement.

Approach:

All of the modern languages are taught using an immersion approach. This means that at least 80% of instruction is conducted in the language. The reason is that the human brain can learn a large amount of language automatically through exposure. Since a four-credit course meets only three hours and 20 minutes per week, it is important to give students as much exposure as possible in this short amount of time. Students are also encouraged to get more exposure outside of class by participating in community events and weekly language tables arranged by our department, as well as through online materials.

Conversation Tables:

During the semester, USM students have the opportunity to join conversation tables: meetings where students can practice their conversation skills in another language with other students. Any USM student is welcome to attend the tables (no appointment necessary), but these spaces are reserved for current students only. Our conversation tables are held in person in room 305 of the A-Wing in the Science Building unless otherwise noted.

Degrees in languages:

For more information on the degrees listed below click here.

We offer the following language-related majors.

• B.A. in Linguistics with a Concentration in ASL Linguistics 
• B.A. in Linguistics with a Concentration in ASL/English Interpreting 
• B.A. in Linguistics with a Concentration in French Linguistics 
• B.A. in Linguistics with a Concentration in French Linguistics, K-12 Teacher Education
• B.A. in Linguistics with a Concentration in Spanish Linguistics
• B.A. in Linguistics with a Concentration in Spanish Linguistics, K-12 Teacher Education

We offer the following language-related minors:

• Minor in Deaf Studies
• Minor in French Language
• Minor in German Language
• Minor in Spanish Language
• Minor in Wabanaki Languages

We offer the following certificate program:

• Certificate Program in Wabanaki Languages