U.S. census data show that the Hispanic population of the United States has increased by 50% since 1990. Government projections place the total Hispanic population at 73,055 people, or 20% of total the U.S population by the year 2030.
Spanish as a second or a third language in the future could prove to be a requirement, or give an added edge when pursuing a career in business, government, communication, the foreign service, social work, education, journalism, travel & tourism, translation & interpretation, science & technology, and international relations.
In addition to its career benefits, studying Spanish will allow you to explore a whole new world of travel in México, Central and South America, Spain and the Caribbean, meeting new people and enjoying new experiences.
The foreign language curriculum is designed to introduce all Drury students to selected languages of the world and their cultural and literary traditions. Language majors are prepared for graduate studies and also for careers in a variety of fields including teaching, international business and other professional disciplines.
This is a very tough question to answer for four reasons. A great deal varies from student to student depending on:
In general, the U.S. Department of State sets out these guidelines for the languages that Drury offers:
Spanish: 600 class hours
French: 600 class hours
The differences here arise from the foreign language’s differences from English.
These numbers are why we highly recommend an immersion study abroad language experience to achieve fluency. One foreign language course per semester for four years will give students 360- 390 hours. This will give students skill, but fall short of fluency.
In general, we say three years (with a course every semester) plus an intensive immersion experience will produce a fluent speaker.
Other practice, however, can also be achieved through students’ own initiative: speaking with international students, etc.
Generally, our most successful graduates are those who pair their foreign language degree with another degree that will point them toward a professional field (immediate employment or entry into graduate school).
The following list gives some examples from recent Drury graduates who paired their language with another major (or minor) and then went on to professional success. This list is not exhaustive, it is intended to give a few examples of the types of things graduates have done in the past. More details examples or ideas are certainly available.
| Degree | Profession/Fields |
|---|---|
| Foreign Language + Criminology | FBI, Homeland Security |
| Foreign Language + Psychology | Attorney, Social Services, NGO (charity) |
| Foreign Language + Business | NGOs, International Sales Accounting at Multi-National firms Banking, International Stock Trading Information Technology |
| Foreign Language + Pre-Health | Physician, Pharmacist, Nurse, Occupational Therapist |
| Foreign Language + Political Science | International Relations, Federal Government, Attorney |
| Foreign Language + Education | University Professor, University Administration, Secondary Education, Foreign Education (teaching abroad) |
| Foreign Language + Communications | Advertising, Journalist |
| Foreign Language + Architecture | Peace Corps, NGO work |
Sigma Delta Pi is the National Spanish Honor Society. Founded in 1919, it is the oldest foreign language honor society in the nation. (It is also the largest). Drury’s chapter was chartered in 1971.
Membership is given to those who have had at least three years or 18 hours of College Spanish classes, including at least one course in Hispanic Literature or Culture. Candidates must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average.
Membership shows a student’s commitment to and love of the Hispanic language and culture, and also affords the opportunity to apply for one of numerous scholarships for study abroad that the National Society awards every year.
On campus, Sigma Delta Pi organizes events such as dinners, Spanish Movie Nights and Spanish Game Nights.
For more information please contact:
Dr. Elizabeth G. Nichols, Chapter Advisor
(417) 873-6925
e-mail : enichols@drury.edu
General Language References
Spain
Latin America
Apps for Mobile Devices:
*Especially recommended for students studying or traveling abroad
A Spanish major requires 27 hours of coursework, and at least three hours required for the major must be taken at the 400-level. Faculty approval is recommended before enrolling in any 300-level course or above. All prerequisites must be completed prior to enrollment in the following courses.
