Sonoma State University

Language Proficiency

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The Global Studies major places a high value on multicultural communication, and speaking another language is one of the most important communication skills you can develop. But, learning a second language also takes a significant amount of time and effort. And, the languages that you speak can have a significant impact on your career options in the future. Hence, you need to think deeply about about which language(s) you want to learn, and then consider carefully how and when to pursue it (them).

There are many pathways to meeting the major's language requirement. The right pathway depends on:

  • which language you intend to pursue 
  • how proficient you already are in that language
  • whether you intend to study abroad
  • whether the language classes that you need are available at SSU, CSU Fully Online, and junior colleges

We recommend that you talk with the Global Studies Coordinator, Prof. Laney, about this decision as soon as you get to SSU and/or at the time in which you declare the major. She will help you choose the best pathway forward for addressing this critical component of the major. To prepare for that discussion, please review the FAQs below:

FAQs about the Language Requirement

Ideally, you should pursue proficiency in a language that aligns with: 

a) Your career goals

  • If you plan to live and work internationally, your second language should align with the region of the world in which you would like to pursue your career. Speaking the local language will facilitate more meaningful and professionally effective interactions with local people. And, international organizations are more likely to hire you. 
  • If you plan to live and work in the United States, your second language should align with the cultural community (domestic and/or abroad) that you would like to engage with in your career and personal life.

b) Your study abroad experience

  • If you plan to study abroad, we recommend that you choose a location that aligns with your career goals (see above) so that you develop the right language skills to advance your career goals. 

Many GLBL students decide to study the language that they started in high school.  That is certainly okay, as long as that decision does not impede your career goals.

Intermediate-level proficiency is equivalent to two years of college-level language classes.

At SSU, the numbering system for the first two years of language classes is: 

Semester 1: 101
Semester 2: 102
Semester 3: 201
Semester 4: 202

Completion of a 202 with a C- or better meets the language proficiency requirement.  

At junior colleges, the four semesters are often numbered 1,2,3,4. Hence, Spanish 4 meets the Global Studies requirement.

If you enter SSU with beginner or low-intermediate-level proficiency in one of those languages:

  • We recommend that you prioritize language classes in your schedule – starting your first year at SSU. 
  • You should also consider minoring in that language. You can double count many of your language classes towards the GLBL major.

And if you enter SSU with already-established intermediate-level proficiency:

  • We recommend that you work towards advanced-level proficiency as soon as possible (taking 300 and 400-level language courses at SSu), even though you have already met the minimum requirements of the degree. 
  • Advanced-level proficiency will make you eligible for a wider range of study abroad options and internationally-oriented careers. And, it will enable a more rewarding experience while abroad.
  • You should also consider double majoring in that language. You can double count many of your language major classes towards the GLBL major.

Yes, you will meed the major's proficiency requirement if you:

1) take a full year of language courses (at any level) while studying abroad; and
2) reside in a country where that language is the primary language. 

Even if you do not take a 202-level class while abroad, you will meet the requirement because the immersive environment in which you are living will add value to the language acquisition process.

While not required, we recommend that you advance your language skills as much as possible before you go abroad. With more advanced language skills, you will be eligible for more study abroad programs, and you will have a more rewarding experience while you are abroad.

We recommend that you:

  1. Investigate options through CSU Fully Online
    • Tip: When searching for classes, filter the list by CSU GE Area C2 courses
    • Languages available include:
      Arabic
      Chinese (Mandarin)
      Greek
      Hebrew
      Persian
      Portuguese
      Russian
      Italian
       
  2. Investigate options through a local Junior College
    • Languages available at SRJC include:
      Chinese (Mandarin) Japanese
      Italian

Even if you have already met the minimum requirement for the GLBL degree (intermediate-level proficiency), we recommend that you pursue advanced-level proficiency (by taking 300 and 400 level courses) for several reasons:

Advanced-level proficiency will:

  • solidify your professional writing skills in that language, which is a highly-valued skill on the job market. 
  • make you eligible for a wider range of study-abroad programs and for a wider range of classes in the study-abroad university
  • help you establish deeper friendships and engage in more rewarding experiences while abroad
  • make you eligible for a wider range of internationally-oriented careers.
  • make it easy to double major in that language, which will highlight your language skills for potential employers

You will need to take a proficiency test. That test will emphasize oral over written skills. 

  • If you seek verification for Spanish, French or German, SSU faculty in the Modern Languages Department can conduct the test. 
  • If you seek verification for other languages, you will need to work with the Global Studies coordinator to arrange alternative means of verification.