Modern Languages Overview
The study of foreign languages and literatures has been at the core of Liberal Arts studies for centuries. Following that tradition, the Modern Languages and Literatures Program emphasizes the development of cross-cultural communication, appreciation for literature, multicultural understanding, and analytic and interpretative capacity. The Modern Languages and Literatures Program offers students an opportunity to study more than a dozen different languages and national literatures, including American Sign Language, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Mandarin), French, Haitian Creole, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Tibetan, and Uzbek.
For the latest information about each language that the program offers, visit https://t-nagano.com/projects/MLFlyers/.
Why take a Modern Language course?
- Take advantage of your bilingual skills
If you are already proficient in one of the languages we offer, you may earn three exemption (extra) credits by passing an intermediate-/advanced-level modern language class or a literature class. The exemption credits are life experience credits (see CUNY's Credit for Prior Learning page at https://www.cuny.edu/academics/academic-policy/credit-prior-learning/ for more info) and these credits could satisfy the Pathways General Education requirement depending on students' majors. - Get your language requirement out of the way before you transfer to a 4-year college
Many programs at four-year colleges require foreign language for graduation. It often takes at least one year or more to complete the language requirement, which may delay your graduation plans after transfer. If you plan to transfer to a four-year college but don’t speak a foreign language, you should start your foreign language study now at LaGuardia. See the "Modern Language Flyer" section for the list of foreign language requirements at the CUNY 4-year schools. - Take advantage of cultural diversity at LaGuardia:
Our students come from over 150 different countries and speak more than 111 languages. Why not take advantage of our cultural diversity and develop skills for your future career? - A wide range of language proficiency levels and literature courses
LaGuardia offers a wide range of proficiency levels and various genre of literature courses. We offer courses in American Sign Language, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Mandarin), French, Haitian Creole, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Tibetan, and Uzbek. In terms of proficiency levels, we offer the following different levels (using Spanish as an example, but all the other languages follow the same pattern):
• Elementary Spanish (ELS101/102) for those without prior knowledge of Spanish
• Intermediate Spanish (ELS103/104) for students with intermediate-level proficiency in Spanish
• Spanish for Heritage Speakers (ELS105/ELS106) for heritage speakers of Spanish (those who have acquired Spanish as a home language)
• The Puerto Rican Community (ELN194) as an Urban Study course
• Latin American Literature I & II (ELS200/201) and other 200-level courses for advanced-level or near-native speakers of Spanish
Modern Language Flyers and Textbook List
- Visit this page for the lastet flyers for the modern language classes and the textbook list. Please check the textbook information for your specific course on CUNYFirst before purchasing your textbooks. http://faculty.lagcc.cuny.edu/tnagano/ELADocs/
How to Register for Modern Language Courses
If you are a LaGuardia student (matriculated in a degree program):
- You can register for the Modern Language courses in a regular registration procedure (using CUNYfirst or in person at the Registration lab in room B-218). If you want to take an intermediate or advanced-level course (e.g. 102, 105-level courses) without taking lower-level courses (e.g., 101 level), you should take a placement exam before the registration at the Modern Langauge Lab (B-206/718-482-5466). Please contact the Modern Languages Program Coordinator if you need help with registration.
- Tomonori Nagano
Coordinator of the Modern Languages Program
Phone: 718-482-5484
E-Mail: tnagano@lagcc.cuny.edu - Lorna Feldman
Coordinator of the Modern Languages Lab (ML Lab Coordinator)
Phone: 718-482-5466
E-mail: lfeldman@lagcc.cuny.edu - Julio Rosario
Coordinator of the Modern Languages Lab (ML Lab Coordinator)Phone: 718-482-5466
E-mail: jrosario@lagcc.cuny.edu - Caitlin Dean
Coordinator of the Modern Languages Lab (ML Lab Coordinator)
Phone: 718-482-5466
E-mail (work): cdean@lagcc.cuny.edu
If you are not a LaGuardia student:
- You can register for the course through Adult and Continuing Education (ACE) Division (not through the Registrar's Office). Contact ACE's Enrollment Service Office. See below for their contact information. If you want to take intermediate or advanced-level course (e.g., 102, 105-level courses) without taking lower-level courses (e.g., 101 level) you should take a placement exam before the registration at the Modern Language Lab (see the info above). Contact the following ACE staff if you need any help with your registration.
- Serena Bowles
Assistant Director of Enrollment Management Services, ACE
Phone: 718-482-5124
E-mail: sbowles@lagcc.cuny.edu - Valerie Seignious
Enrollment Management Services, ACE
Phone: 718-482-5120
E-mail: vseignious@lagcc.cuny.edu - Marisol López
Program for Deaf Adult (for American Sign Language courses)
Phone: 718-730-7501
E-mail: marlopez@lagcc.cuny.edu