Critical Languages Program

The Critical Languages Program (CLP) is a language instructional method that makes possible the offering of less-commonly taught, but highly relevant languages. The curriculum is student-centered and oriented principally toward the initial acquisition of oral skills, proceeding ultimately into the written form of the language. Students in CLP courses work intensively with specially prepared texts and tapes, and meet in small group drill sessions twice a week with a native-speaking tutor. They continue their language practice in two additional sessions each week in WLAC’s audiovisual and computer laboratories. Exams are given on an individual basis with external examiners. These examiners are professors of their respective languages at other institutions who come to campus to examine Samford CLP students at the end of each semester. CLP courses follow the traditional semester calendar and meet Tuesdays and Thursdays. They are available to both daytime and evening (Metro) students. Courses are sequential, with successful completion of the previous course serving as prerequisite to the next. Courses numbered 101 and 201 are offered during fall semesters only; courses numbered 102 and 202 are offered during spring semesters only. A WLAC minor is offered in any of the CLP languages, but content-based coursework beyond the 200 level can only be completed abroad in courses preapproved by the CLP director. Critical languages offered at Samford are: Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Swahili, and Thai.

Critical Languages Program Course Listings

ARAB/CHIN/HIND/ITAL/JAPN/PORT/RUSS/SWAH/THAI 101 and 102 Elementary I and II

Introduction to understanding, speaking, reading, and writing the target language. Self-instructional (text and tape), with two intensive tutorial drills and two laboratory sessions per week. Offered: Fall (101); spring (102). Credits: 4 each course.

ARAB/CHIN/HIND/ITAL/JAPN/PORT/RUSS/SWAH/THAI 201 and 202 Intermediate I and II

Continued study in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing the target language. Self-instructional (text and tape), with two intensive tutorial drills and two
laboratory sessions per week. Offered: Fall (201); spring (202). Credits: 4 each course.

ARAB/CHIN/HIND/ITAL/JAPN/PORT/RUSS/SWAH/THAI 311, 321, and 331 Directed Teaching Experience I, II, and III

Guided practicum in language teaching to develop the individual’s linguistic, instructional, and leadership skills. Prereqs: Successful completion of 202 level in
the target language, or the equivalent, and permission of program director. Credits: 1 each course.

ARAB/CHIN/HIND/ITAL/JAPN/PORT/RUSS/SWAH/THAI 351 and 352 Language Study Abroad: Advanced I and II

Intensive practice of audio-lingual skills and advanced grammatical structures in a setting abroad where the target language is spoken. Stresses practical communication and effective self expression in the target language. Credits: 4 each course.

ARAB/CHIN/HIND/ITAL/JAPN/PORT/RUSS/SWAH/THAI 353 and 354 Language Study Abroad: Cultural Studies I and II

Study of civilization and culture and overview of contemporary society in a targetculture setting abroad. Credits: 4 each course.

ARAB/CHIN/HIND/ITAL/JAPN/PORT/RUSS/SWAH/THAI 360 Language for Missions Internship

Missions fieldwork in a country where the target language is spoken, under the direction of a Samford mentor and on-site mission personnel. Open to all students
with intermediate language proficiency or higher in the target language. Prereq: Permission of the program director and the WLAC language missions coordinator.
Offered: As needed. Credits: 1-4 each term of service.