Kennesaw State University turns focus on “The Year of Languages”
Kennesaw State University is joining other colleges and universities around the United States in a…
Georgia (Mar 15, 2005) — Kennesaw State University turns focus on “The Year of Languages”
Karen Kennedy
Abstract
Contact: Frances Weyand‚ Director of University Relations‚ 770−423−6203 or fweyand@kennesaw.edu
Kennesaw State University is joining other colleges and universities around the United
States in a major effort to convince students to include foreign languages in their
curricula‚ no matter what their field of study. Students entering the current work
force must be able to understand and be understood by a diverse population of colleagues
and customers for whom English is not a native language. To meet today’s business
needs‚ the most attractive job candidates are those with a high level of proficiency
in other languages.
To answer this need‚ foreign language faculty members at Kennesaw State are participating
in initiatives to raise student awareness of the growing importance of multiple language
proficiency as a key element in career preparation. The effort coincides with the
nationwide observance of “2005: The Year of Languages” as established by a U.S. Senate
resolution and with Gov. Sonny Perdue’s declaration of March 2005 as “The Month of
Language Study” in the state of Georgia.
“There is clear evidence that every student at our institution should include language
learning in their academic plan and career preparation curriculum‚” says William C.
Griffin‚ chair of KSU’s Department of Foreign Languages. “Government and industry
both have a pressing need for employees with a clear understanding of the cultures
and languages of other countries. We operate in a global community and people with
multiple language proficiency will command a premium place in the workforce.”
Kennesaw State will seek to build support for and participation in language programs
among KSU students and the community at large. Foreign language activities in March
include:
Monday‚ March 28: Poster Drawing Contest‚ “Many Languages‚ Many Learners‚ One World‚”
prizes will be awarded.
Monday−Thursday‚ March 28−31: Foreign Language Movies will be shown daily from 3−5:00
p.m. in the Foreign Language Resource Center‚ Pilcher Building‚ Room 134. Spanish
on Monday‚ March 28; French on Tuesday‚ March 29; Italian on Wednesday‚ March 30;
and German on Thursday‚ March 31.
Monday‚ March 28−Thursday‚ March 31: Foreign Language Games will be set up daily in
the Pilcher Building‚ Room 134.
Thursday‚ March 31: Ethnic Potluck and Flag Parade will be held in the Carmichael
Student Center‚ University Rooms A & B‚ 12:30−2 p.m.
For more information on KSU’s foreign language activities‚ contact Delia Tyler or
Patricia Tilbian at 770−423−6366. For more information on national initiatives‚ visit
www.yearoflanguages.org.
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Kennesaw State University is a comprehensive‚ residential institution with a growing
student population of 18‚000 from 132 countries. The third largest state university
out of 34 institutions in the University System of Georgia‚ KSU offers more than 55
undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 41,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the second-largest university in the state. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 126 countries across the globe. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
