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Modern Languages

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Department: Modern Languages

Program Type: Education and Liberal Arts


Planning to Transfer? Learn more about the transfer process including the importance of choosing a major and transfer school.

Overview

Learning another language is a meaningful experience with benefits that last a lifetime. Employers prize fluency in a second language and may increase your earnings potential. But learning a new language isn't just about work; it's enjoyable too! It helps you understand your language better and makes you more confident and independent. Employers value fluency in a second language, boosting earnings potential, but learning a language also enhances personal growth.

Elgin Community College’s exceptional Modern Languages faculty is dedicated to preparing you for success in today’s global community. They focus on building language skills and expanding cultural awareness. Language courses transfer to many colleges and universities and are a sought-after minor. 

Get additional information, including course listings and class descriptions for the following languages:

Prepare for Immediate Employment

The employment outlook for modern language professionals varies depending on the specific language and industry. However, as global business and communication continue to increase, the demand for multilingual individuals is expected to grow. The field of translation and interpretation is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations.

The demand for language teachers is expected to rise, especially in countries where English isn't the primary language. This growth is driven by increasing interest in learning a second language.

The demand for multilingual individuals with strong modern language skills is expected to grow. As the world becomes more interconnected, global communication will become increasingly critical. Refer to Career Coach for more information regarding related occupations and compensation.

Plan of Study and Course Descriptions

The Basic Spanish for Medical Personnel certificate equips healthcare workers with essential language skills. This enables effective communication with Spanish-speaking patients at a basic level. You can complete this fully online six-credit-hour certificate within one semester. Students will learn to gather a patient’s insurance information and ask health history questions. They will also gain familiarity with medical conditions and terminology used in general practice and specialty settings. Required courses for certificate completion are Basic Spanish for Medical Personnel I (SPN-171) and Basic Spanish for Medical Personnel II (SPN-172).

Basic Vocational Certificate

Careers in Languages

Language careers include:

  • Language Teacher or Professor: teaching languages at various levels, from elementary schools to universities, or teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) abroad.
  • Cultural Anthropologist: studying different cultures, traditions, and beliefs and analyzing their influence on language and communication.
  • Speech-Language Pathologist: working with clients with communication disorders or difficulties with language acquisition, helping them improve their speech and language skills.
  • Linguist: researching language structures, meaning, and usage or working in language preservation and revitalization efforts.
  • Interpreter or Translator: working with languages to convert one language to another for clients, businesses, government agencies, or individuals.

How many languages are there?

The exact number of languages spoken worldwide is difficult to determine. However, it is estimated that between 6,000 to 7,000 languages are spoken worldwide. The Modern Language Association (MLA) is an organization that promotes the study of languages and literatures. It focuses primarily on modern languages, including English, Spanish, French, and German.

Linguistics studies language, covering language structure, historical evolution, and social and cultural contexts. It explores the many facets that shape how language functions and develops. Modern language building refers to creating new languages, which can be done for various reasons, such as artistic or scientific purposes. Living in other languages, or multilingualism is the ability to speak multiple languages fluently and is common globally. A group speaks a living language, while a dead language is no longer used in daily communication or culture.

How long does it take to learn a language?

The time it takes to learn a language can vary widely based on factors like prior experience and learning methods. Other factors, such as the language's difficulty and the learner's dedication, also play a significant role.

The Modern Language Association (MLA) suggests it can take 2-3 years of study to achieve basic proficiency in a new language. However, achieving mastery can take several more years of research and practice.

The study of language, or linguistics, has shown different levels of language proficiency, ranging from beginner to advanced. Modern language creation can take years to develop, depending on the language's complexity and scope.

Interested in Modern Languages?

Modern Languages encompasses careers that involve studying, using, and teaching different languages and cultures. Some careers, such as language teacher or tutor, may focus on language acquisition. These professionals help individuals learn new languages by facilitating language classes and individual lessons. They may also help individuals improve their fluency in a language through conversational practice.

Another area within Modern Languages is interpretation and translation. Interpreters and translators enable communication between different language speakers by converting languages orally or in writing. They work in various settings, including business, health care, legal, and governmental organizations.

Linguistics and language research careers exist, in which professionals study different languages' structure, history, and use. They analyze language development, relationships between languages, and factors influencing how people speak and use language over time. This research can be applied to education, technology, and law.

In conclusion, Modern Languages encompass various careers involving language and culture. Whether teaching, interpreting, translating, or researching, professionals in this field are crucial for facilitating communication and understanding across cultures.

Learn more about the Modern Languages department at ECC!

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847-214-7385
Fax: 847-608-5458
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Hours
Monday through Thursday: 8 am to 7 pm
Fridays: 8 am to 4 pm

*Bilingual Admissions Coordinator: 847-214-7689

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Modern Languages Program

847-214-7937