Languages 

Meet the Faculty | Departmental Information Sheets

Academic Program
We live in a world marked by close contact and interaction among people who speak varied languages and come from varied cultural backgrounds. Being able to understand and communicate in several languages is increasingly important for persons who want to be civic leaders, business managers, or simply good citizens. At Emory & Henry, you can establish competency in one or more languages and, at the same time, complete a liberal arts program that will give you the kind of intellectual breadth and lifelong curiosity to be a successful citizen of the world in the 21st century.

Degree Program
Majors and minors are offered in French and Spanish. In addition, Greek courses enable students to read the New Testament in its original language. At times, special course introductions to such languages as Arabic, Chinese, and Latin have been offered. The Department of Languages offers a B.A. degree in three tracks of study:

Language and Literature
The Language and Literature track, which may be completed in French or Spanish, is designed to train you in the language and to acquaint you with the literature and general culture of a foreign country or region. Students also are prepared for careers in public service, diplomacy or translating/interpreting. If you are planning for advanced study in graduate or professional school, the Language and Literature track should be your choice.

Language and Culture Studies
The Language and Culture Studies track links French or Spanish to an in-depth understanding of France, Spain, or Latin America.  It includes an experience of immersion in a foreign culture, after you have developed language fluency, through study abroad.

Teacher Preparation
Completion of the Teacher Preparation program will enable you to meet Virginia requirements for licensure to teach a foreign language.

Study Abroad
If you major in French or Spanish Language and Culture Studies, you will be encouraged to study abroad during your junior year. You will design a study abroad program in consultation with the Languages Department faculty.

Emory & Henry has an agreement with the Universite de Picardie Jules Verne in France, an exchange program for foreign study which provides semester-long study opportunities throughout the year. The college also offers shorter study and travel trips. In recent years, faculty and students have traveled to Spain, Mexico, Guatemala, China and France.

Faculty
Department Chair
Xiangyun Zhang, xzhang@ehc.edu
Ph.D., Florida State University; M.A., Emory University; B.A., Beijing Second Foreign Language Institute. Dr. Zhang has taught Chinese and French at high school and college levels and teaches the two languages now at Emory & Henry College.

Alma P. Ramírez Trujillo, aramirez@ehc.edu
Ph.D. (ABD), M.A., University of Western Ontario; B.A. Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla.
Dr. Trujillo teaches Spanish at Emory & Henry. Her research focuses on the acquisition of Spanish in contact with other languages, particularly with Nahuati, an indigenous language spoken in Mexico.

Major Checklists
French/Cultural Studies
French/Literature