2008 Woodie Awards
Some languages thrive, others struggle for enrollment
By: Michelle Oyola
Issue date: 4/6/06 Section: News
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The Webster University international languages and cultures department lists a wide variety of languages that it offers on its Web site. Some of these courses are frequently canceled because of low enrollment. Brian Kennelly, department chair, said Webster University must remain committed to international languages if it stands by its mission of being an international university.
"Our goal is to create means for students to access what Webster is uniquely poised to offer," Kennelly said.
The department currently offers three majors: French, German and Spanish. All of these also are offered as minors, as well as Japanese. Kennelly said the department's next move will probably be to offer Japanese as a major.
However, the department aims to some day offer a major in every language that is spoken at each of Webster's international campuses. A major in Thai, Dutch, Mandarin, Arabic and more may eventually be available, Kennelly said.
He said moving in this direction is vital if the university wants to allow its students to truly access the culture at the international campuses. Students who do not know the language cannot fully understand the country. Their experience remains similar to the semester they would have had in the United States, he said. If Webster is serious about being an international university, it must invest in international languages.
"Or we will essentially be a tourism university," he said.
Kennelly believes students who are going to an international campus must study the language and culture of the country before, during and after the study period.
Two years ago, Kennelly wrote up a 30-year plan for the department. At the end of this time period, the department would have adequate staff for all of the languages. However, none of these positions have been filled. The department currently has four full-time faculty members and 20 adjuncts. Kennelly said the reason for the lack of staff is not the lack of qualified people. The university's current fiscal realities are preventing new hires, he said.
"Our goal is to create means for students to access what Webster is uniquely poised to offer," Kennelly said.
The department currently offers three majors: French, German and Spanish. All of these also are offered as minors, as well as Japanese. Kennelly said the department's next move will probably be to offer Japanese as a major.
However, the department aims to some day offer a major in every language that is spoken at each of Webster's international campuses. A major in Thai, Dutch, Mandarin, Arabic and more may eventually be available, Kennelly said.
He said moving in this direction is vital if the university wants to allow its students to truly access the culture at the international campuses. Students who do not know the language cannot fully understand the country. Their experience remains similar to the semester they would have had in the United States, he said. If Webster is serious about being an international university, it must invest in international languages.
"Or we will essentially be a tourism university," he said.
Kennelly believes students who are going to an international campus must study the language and culture of the country before, during and after the study period.
Two years ago, Kennelly wrote up a 30-year plan for the department. At the end of this time period, the department would have adequate staff for all of the languages. However, none of these positions have been filled. The department currently has four full-time faculty members and 20 adjuncts. Kennelly said the reason for the lack of staff is not the lack of qualified people. The university's current fiscal realities are preventing new hires, he said.