World Languages and Cultures | Samford University

As a Spanish major and World Languages and Cultures minor, I have not only been taught Spanish and French, but I've been taught how to learn languages in general. I've also gained a deeper appreciation for foreign cultures and peoples in all of my classes. —Andrew Crosson, U.S. Foreign Service, Mexico and Thailand

Contact Andy Milstead to register for language placement test

Samford University's standard general education curriculum requires study of a second language and culture through the intermediate level. Many students remain in the Department of World Languages and Cultures as majors, and many more pursue language minors as a way to add intercultural value to other Samford majors. The department leads all students in exploration of global community as they prepare for careers in any professions that value those who can build bridges between world cultures.

With expert faculty mentors, internship opportunities, Christian fellowship, active language clubs, special activities, extensive connections to external language resources and transformative international study programs in French, German, Spanish, students find everything they need to become informed and ethical intercultural leaders.

Study Abroad

International study is one of Samford’s oldest and most transformative language experiences. Students typically live with local families during their stay, and participate in a variety of cultural enrichment activities outside of the classroom.

Samford in France students participate in an intensive language and culture program led by professors at the Université Grenoble-Alpes, where over 3,000 students from seventy different nations study each year.
Samford in Germany students spend 4-8 weeks in small, individualized classes at Sprachinstitut Treffpunkt in Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage city.
Samford in Spain students spend 5-9 weeks in Madrid or Salamanca at Samford’s affiliate institution in Spain, Estudio Internacional Sampere. The locations allow students to experience fully the daily life of a bustling capital city or university.

Language Placement Test

Language placement tests are proctored on campus in Samford's Language Technology Forum (see below). Testing hours are Tuesday/Thursday 3-4:30 p.m. and Friday 12-4 p.m. Contact Andy Milstead to register for a test.

Language Technology Forum

The Language Technology Forum is the place where language learning and technology come together. It’s also the place where classroom knowledge is put into practice and conversational skills are developed.

Grace Marquéz Language Technology Forum

116 Russell Hall

Andy Milstead, Director

What We Have

24 laptop computers
language software installed on computers
board and card games in different languages
ROKU with access to international TV
10-player buzzer set for adding competition to the learning process
optical drives for language software and DVDs
16 headsets with microphones
seating for 24
projection system
Solstice for wireless access to projection system
HDTV
Digital cameras

News

WLAC Presents Annual Student Honors

The Department of World Languages and Cultures presented its annual student honors in April, with department chair Grant Henley presiding over the combined in-person and online ceremony.

Samford Celebrates Day of Spanish

The celebration–on the anniversary of author Miguel Cervantes Saavedra’s death in 1616–is meant to increase awareness of Spanish language, history and culture.

Ledgerwood Enriched Samford With Language, Travel, Music

Many students will remember the enthusiasm of “Professor Eurovision,” as Ledgerwood’s classes often incorporated music in general and the international song contest in particular.