French Certificate
Language Proficiency Certificates (LPCs) require 16 credits. They differ from minors in that fewer credits are required and study abroad is not required. For fuller exposure to a language and to develop intercultural skills the department recommends a minor or major. Certificates are designed to help students increase proficiency in a language and culture and introduce them to some specialized vocabulary. Certificates offer students the opportunity to showcase additional areas of their university education in preparation for the professional world. Language study adds value to a chosen field and gives students an edge in the job market. Through studying culture, embedded in language courses and in specific content courses, students prepare for active integration in a multi-cultural work setting.
Students with prior language experience must take a placement exam to be placed into the appropriate level of language courses. Four credits will be waived for students who place at 300 or 291 level. In order to complete a certificate, students must attain an intermediate-mid level or higher. Language proficiency target levels are set by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). LPCs also require at least an introductory cultural studies course to help develop tools for working in multi-cultural or cross-cultural environments. To be granted a certificate, students also need to develop an individual project as determined by the Departmental Faculty. For the successful completion of a certificate, students must attain a minimum B average for all required courses.
Certificate Requirements
Complete 16 credits including the following:
- A minimum of 8 credits in language courses, depending on placement; a maximum of four credits from 100 level language coursework can be counted towards the certificate.
- A minimum of 4 credits in language instruction must be taken at Linfield.
- One Francophone culture and literature course:
Course List Code Title Credits SPECIAL TOPICS: JAN TERM TRAVEL INTRODUCTION TO FRENCH AND FRANCOPHONE STUDIES TOPICS IN FRENCH LITERATURE INTRODUCTION TO AFRICAN CINEMA INTRODUCTION TO AFRICAN STUDIES - Additional GLFR/GLFA courses as needed to complete 16 credits.
- A final project connecting an aspect of the French language or Francophone cultures to a career.
- Language proficiency assessment—must achieve Intermediate Mid or higher on the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines.
Courses must be completed with a grade of B or higher to count toward the certificate.
Final Project
To complete the requirements for the certificate, the student will develop an independent project connecting an aspect of the French language or Francophone cultures to the career of their choice. This can be met through research of an independent project related to professional plans (planning to join the Peace Corps, a Master's program in France, or applying for an English assistantship, for example) or a pre-approved internship experience. In some circumstances this project can be completed in an advanced culture class with prior approval. All students will have opportunity to present their final project in a poster session, a fair or student symposium.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate an intermediate-mid level or higher language proficiency as defined by ACTFL.
- Demonstrate unbiased engagement with cultural groups of the target language.
- Use specialized vocabulary pertaining to a chosen profession.
- Apply language learning to a professional project.