As the world’s economy goes global, colleges are following suit, adding classes in languages rarely taught even five years ago, particularly Arabic, Chinese and Japanese.
Today’s students realize that learning a second or third language will put them at an advantage in a flat world, educators say. They increasingly want courses in Chinese because China has emerged as a major player in international business, or in Arabic because of the Middle East’s critical role in world politics.
Sean Leary, for example, decided to study Mandarin when he realized that “China makes everything, and the U.S. sells everything.”
“If I know both languages, that gives me an advantage,” said Leary, a freshman at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks. “It opens up the door for so many more opportunities. I want to get as many languages under my belt as possible.”
CLU started offering Chinese last year. CSU Channel Islands in Camarillo recently approved courses in Chinese and Arabic. Moorpark College plans to start teaching Chinese and Arabic in the fall, along with the eight languages it already offers.
Nationwide, enrollment in foreign language classes has grown by 13 percent since 2002, according to the Modern Language Association.
Spanish remains the most popular language, representing about half the total enrollment in foreign language courses. The fastest-growing language courses, however, are Arabic — with enrollment up by 126.5 percent since 2002 — and Chinese, up by 51 percent.
“There is a growing need nationwide for language study,” said Patty Rush, chairwoman of the foreign language department at Ventura College. “Maybe we realize we’re not the center of the universe and should learn some other people’s language and culture.”
Still, enrollment has not reached the high recorded in 1965, according to the Modern Language Association. Also, today’s students are five times more likely to be enrolled in first- or second-year foreign language courses than in higher levels where they can become fluent.
That could change, though, as more high schools start offering Chinese, Arabic and Japanese, preparing students to take higher-level courses in college, educators say. Locally, Newbury Park, Westlake, Oak Park and Agoura high schools offer Chinese.
As colleges try to give students a more international education, they are not only adding language classes but also incorporating foreign languages with other departments, particularly business, political science and history.
“There will be a greater partnership than there might have been a few years ago,” said Joan Griffin, dean of CLU’s College of Arts and Sciences.
For example, CLU’s school of business, recognizing the importance of language and culture in international business dealings, is considering adding a language requirement to its MBA program, just as many business schools have nationwide.
“Almost everyone appreciates an attempt, however cumbersome, to speak their language,” said Randall Donohue, associate professor. “In much of the world, relationships in business are more important than a written contract.”
Beyond linking foreign languages with other departments, colleges also are incorporating more culture and history with language courses. At CLU students studying Mandarin visit a Buddhist temple and go out for Chinese food, in addition to studying the language itself.
“I try to talk about real life,” instructor Debby Chang said. “That’s what language is about.”
In addition to Chinese, CLU offers courses in Spanish, French, German, American Sign Language, Biblical Hebrew and New Testament Greek.
CSUCI also has made global education a mission. The university originally offered Spanish as a minor. Now students can major in Spanish. Classes in Chinese and Arabic will be added as soon as the fall.
The university has focused on the Pacific Rim, from South America to Asia, said Steve Lefevre, associate vice president of academic programs and planning.
“After Spanish, we thought Chinese would be good to go with,” Lefevre said, “and we’re starting to develop relationships with universities in China.”
Local community colleges are part of the trend, too. Ventura College offers classes in six languages, including Japanese, and its community education program offers Chinese, Thai, Arabic, Russian and Polish. An online class offers Spanish for police officers.
Oxnard College offers Spanish and Japanese, and is considering adding a third language, Executive Vice President Lyn MacConnaire said. First, though, the school will poll the community on what language it would want.
“Our community is next to the port and along the Pacific Rim,” MacConnaire said. “We feel it’s certainly well within our mission to prepare our students to succeed in a world that is becoming more diverse and smaller.”