USAC Foreign Language Instruction Guide unr.edu/study-abroad Afrikaans Arabic Basque Chinese Czech French Gaelic German Hebrew Hindi Italian Japanese Kannada Korean Portuguese Sanskrit Thai...and more! Many languages offered in all levels, from beginning to advanced Earn up to 2 years of language credit in one semester abroad
Foreign Language Options at a Glance USAC offers a wide variety of language courses across our many programs, and with options for most levels (beginning-advanced), studying abroad is the perfect way to learn or become proficient in a language. Specialty Programs offer you the opportunity to study a language in a city or country where it is traditionally spoken (i.e. learn Twi in Ghana or in Costa Rica). This allows you to engage in language instruction both formally in the classroom, and informally with locals as you go about your daily life. See page 3 for Specialty Program options. On USAC s Partnership Programs, you are often able to choose from the majority of courses offered at the host university. This means you can study both the native language of your host country, as well as languages not traditionally spoken by the locals. For example, you can take Japanese in England or German in South Africa. Partnership Programs (check the website for the most current offerings by term) Country Location Language Options Australia Gold Coast, Melbourne Arabic, Chinese, Italian, Japanese, England Brighton, Bristol, London, Reading Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese,, Russian and Italian (offerings differ by city) Ireland Cork Gaelic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Latin, Portuguese, Greek, and Israel Haifa Arabic, Hebrew Japan Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Osaka/Kobe Japanese Korea Seoul Korean the Netherlands The Hague Introductory Dutch New Zealand Auckland/Palmerston North/Wellington Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Norway Oslo Norwegian, Latin and Sanskrit Scotland St Andrews, Stirling Arabic, French, German, Greek, Italian, Latin, Persian, Russian,, and Hebrew (offerings differ by city) South Africa Stellenbosch Afrikaans, French, German,, and Xhosa Sweden Växjö / Kalmar Swedish, French, German, and Japanese Turkey Istanbul Turkish 2
Specialty Programs offer both intensive and less intensive course offerings in locally spoken languages. The amount of credits you can complete in your chosen term will vary by location, but in many instances you can complete up to 2 years of instruction in just one semester! Intensive language courses are grouped into tracks (see page 4 for more details) to allow you to progress through your instruction quickly, and many programs also offer elective language and literature courses. Language courses sections are kept to a maximum enrollment of 15 students each to facilitate student success. The charts on the following pages detail the intensive language programs offered by USAC; use the table below to see what non-intensive language offerings are available in each country. Specialty Programs Country Location Level of Intensity Brazil Florianópolis Intensive Portuguese Chile Santiago Intensive China Chengdu/Shanghai Intensive Chinese Costa Rica Heredia/ Puntarenas/ San Ramón Intensive Cuba La Habana Upper-Division WLL Electives (coursework in ) Czech Republic Prague Introductory Czech France Lyon/Pau Intensive French Germany Lüneburg Intensive German Ghana Accra Introductory Twi India Bangalore (Bengaluru) Introductory Hindi, Sanskrit, Kannada Ireland Galway Introductory Gaelic Italy Reggio Emilia/ Torino/ Viterbo Intensive Italian Spain Alicante/Bilbao/ Madrid Intensive Spain San Sebastián Intensive ; Basque also available Thailand Chiang Mai Introductory Thai 3
Overview: Intensive Language Study Options vary by USAC program location, but in general, students will enroll in a series of sequential (back to back) courses taught within one semester while simultaneously enrolling in other elective courses taught throughout the entire semester. Intensive language study can allow students to complete a series of courses that would take up to two years to complete on a university campus. In the examples given below, you will see that two, three, or four courses can be finished in one semester (4-in-1, 3-in-1, or 2-in-1). USAC refers to these sequential courses as tracks. It is also useful to consult the USAC catalog and website for more information. Summer and winter courses can be considered intensive in that one language course can be completed in a 3- to 5-week session. Depending on location and session duration, students can complete six to eight foreign language credits (plus electives) within two summer sessions. Semester durations also vary by location. The 16-week semester is used as an example in order to help explain the track formats. Exact semester dates are listed in the USAC catalog or online at usac.unr.edu. Please note credits in USAC materials are semester-credits. The USAC enrollment department is prepared and happy to assist students and staff from quarter-system schools calculate their needs. 4-in-1 Sequential (14 credits) (4 credits) 16-Week Semester Course 1W (ex: I) Course 2 (ex: II) Elective (ex: Culture and Civilization, Dance, Cuisine) Course 3 (ex: WI) Course 4 (ex: II) 3-in-1 Sequential (9 credits) (9 credits) 16-Week Semester Course 1 (ex: ) Course 2 (ex: I) Elective (ex: Conversation and Oral Skills, Survey of Literature I) Course 3 (ex: Advanced Grammar I) 2-in-1 Sequential (6 credits) (12 credits) Course 1 (ex: Advanced Grammar I) 16-Week Semester Course 2 (ex: Advanced Grammar II) Elective (ex: Conversation and Oral Skills, Upper-Division Foreign Language ) 4
Brazil Florianópolis All students are required to spend the beginning of the fall and spring semester taking an intensive fourweek Portuguese language course (either Portuguese I, Portuguese I, Portuguese, or Advanced Portuguese I), which allows for rapid acquisition of language and culture. All language courses focus on the skills of speaking, reading, writing, and listening. After the intensive period, students have the option to take an additional language course. Level (8 credits) Prerequisite: none Mandatory Intensive Language Period Regular Course Period (4-5 weeks) Sequential Portuguese I Portuguese II (optional) Elective, up to 10 credits Level (6 credits) Prerequisite: two semesters of college Portuguese Mandatory Intensive Language Period Regular Course Period (4-5 weeks) Sequential Portuguese I Portuguese II (optional) Elective, up to 12 credits Composition Level (6 credits) Prerequisite: three semesters of college Portuguese Mandatory Intensive Language Period Regular Course Period (4-5 weeks) Sequential Composition Portuguese I Composition Portuguese II (optional) Elective, up to 12 credits Advanced Level (6 credits) Prerequisite: four semesters of college Portuguese Mandatory Intensive Language Period Regular Course Period (4-5 weeks) Sequential Advanced Portuguese I Advanced Portuguese II (optional) Elective, up to 12 credits Summer Session I Credits: 3 minimum, 5 maximum; Session II: 4 minimum, 6 maximum Students choose between a standard 3- or 4-credit language course or the 1-credit Introduction to Portuguese course on either summer session. All of the summer language courses are intensive, with 3-4 credits of Portuguese available in each session. You may also take additional elective courses during each session. 5
Chile Santiago The track courses are taught sequentially (back to back) within one semester. If you have already taken the first course in the track, you do not have to take it again for credit, but you must audit it. All students are required to select a language track and enroll in the courses listed for it plus elective courses for a total of 12-18 credits. Track I (14 credits) Prerequisite: none Sequential I II Elective, up to 4 credits I II Track II (12 credits) Prerequisite: two semesters of college Sequential I II Elective, up to 6 credits I Track III (9 credits) Prerequisite: four semesters of college Sequential Elective, up to 9 credits I Advanced I Track IV (6 credits) Prerequisite: six semesters of college Sequential Advanced I Advanced II Elective, up to 12 credits Summer Credits: 3 minimum, 5 maximum Language is not required. All of the summer language courses are intensive, with 3-4 credits of available in each four-week session. You may also take additional elective courses for up to a total of 5 credits each session. 6
China Chengdu Students who do not take an intensive language track must enroll in Chinese I (4 credits). Track I (11 credits) Prerequisite: none Sequential Chinese I Chinese II Chinese I Elective, up to 7 credits Track II (9 credits) Prerequisite: two semesters of college Chinese Sequential Chinese I Chinese II Advanced Chinese I Elective, up to 9 credits Track III (9 credits) Prerequisite: three semesters of college Chinese Sequential Chinese II Advanced Chinese I Advanced Chinese II Elective, up to 9 credits Track IV (9 credits) Prerequisite: five semesters of college Chinese Sequential Advanced Chinese II Advanced Chinese III Advanced Chinese IV Elective, up to 9 credits Summer Credits: 3 minimum, 6 maximum Language is not required. All of the summer language courses are intensive, with 3-5 credits of Chinese available in each five-week session. You may also take additional elective courses for up to a total of 6 credits each session. 7
China Shanghai Students who do not take an intensive language track must enroll in Chinese I (4 credits). Track I (8 credits) Prerequisite: none Sequential Chinese I Chinese II Elective, up to 10 credits Track II (6 credits) Prerequisite: two semesters of college Chinese Sequential Chinese I Chinese II Elective, up to 12 credits Track III (Option I) (6 credits) Prerequisite: four semesters of college Chinese Sequential Advanced Chinese I Advanced Chinese II Elective, up to 12 credits Track III (Option II) (6 credits) Prerequisite: six semesters of college Chinese Sequential Advanced Chinese III Advanced Chinese IV Elective, up to 12 credits Summer Credits: 3 minimum, 6 maximum Language is required. If a student does not take, or Advanced, they must take Introduction to Chinese Language I (2 credits). You may also take additional elective courses for up to a total of 6 credits each session. 8
Costa Rica Heredia The track courses are taught sequentially (back to back) within one semester. If you have already taken the first course in the track, you do not have to take it again for credit, but you must audit it. Students enroll in the courses listed for the appropriate language track plus elective language and literature courses and/or courses from Latin American and Ecological Studies for a total of 12-18 credits. Track I (14 credits) Prerequisite: none Sequential I II Elective, up to 4 credits I II Track II (12 credits) Prerequisite: two semesters of college Sequential I II Elective, up to 6 credits I Track III (9 credits) Prerequisite: four semesters of college Sequential Elective, up to 9 credits I Advanced I Track IV (6 credits) Prerequisite: six semesters of college Sequential Advanced I Advanced II Elective, up to 12 credits Summer Credits: 3 minimum, 6 maximum Language is not required. You will enroll in at least 3 credits and up to 6 in Session I and up to 4 credits in Session II. You may also take additional elective courses, one course must be a 3 credit hours. 9
Costa Rica Puntarenas The track courses are taught sequentially (back to back) within one semester. If you have already taken the first course in the track, you do not have to take it again for credit, but you must audit it. Students enroll in the courses listed for the appropriate language track plus elective language and literature courses and/or courses from Latin American and Ecological Studies for a total of 12-18 credits. Track I (14 credits) Prerequisite: none Sequential I II Elective, up to 4 credits I II Track II (12 credits) Prerequisite: two semesters of college Sequential I II Elective, up to 6 credits Track IV (6 credits) Prerequisite: six semesters of college I Track III (9 credits) Prerequisite: four semesters of college Sequential Elective, up to 9 credits I Advanced I Sequential Advanced I Advanced II Elective, up to 12 credits Summer Credits: 3 minimum, 6 maximum Language is not required. All of the summer language courses are intensive, with 3-5 credits of available in each five-week session. You may also take additional elective courses for up to a total of 6 credits each session. January Credits: 3 minimum, 4 maximum Language is not required. All of the January language courses are intensive, with 3-4 credits of available in each three-week session. You may also take additional elective courses for up to a total of 4 credits each session. 10
Costa Rica San Ramón This program does not intensify language courses to the same degree as the other Costa Rica programs. However, you may still complete up to two semesters of language in only one semester. The track courses are offered sequentially (back to back) within one semester. If you have already taken the first course in the track, you do not have to take it again for credit, but you must audit it. Students enroll in the courses listed for the appropriate language track plus elective language and literature courses and/or courses from Latin American and Ecological Studies for a total of 12-18 credits. Track I (8 credits) Prerequisite: none Sequential I II Elective, up to 10 credits Track II (6 credits) Prerequisite: two semesters of college Sequential I II Elective, up to 12 credits Track III (6 credits) Prerequisite: four semesters of college Sequential I Elective, up to 12 credits Track IV (6 credits) Prerequisite: six semesters of college Sequential Advanced I Advanced II Elective, up to 12 credits Summer Credits: 3 minimum, 6 maximum Language is not required. All of the summer language courses are intensive, with 3-5 credits of available in each five-week session. You may also take additional elective courses for up to a total of 6 credits each session. 11
France Lyon This program does not have tracks in the same structure of the other programs. Lyon students are required to enroll in three sequential language courses plus a 3-credit French Conversation course for a total of 12 credit hours of language classes. You must also have taken at least 2 semesters of French to attend this program. Students are also required to take at least one elective course in French and European Studies. Language Course Options: French Conversation 3 credits, Second Year French I, Second Year French II, Third Year French I, Third Year French II, Fourth Year French I, Fourth Year French II, French Stylistics, Language and Cinema, Seminar in French Language, 20th-Century & Contemporary French Literature. Level Example, Prerequisite: Two semesters of French Sequential Second-Year French I (3 credits) Second-Year French II (3 credits) French Conversation (3 credits), plus electivces Third-Year French I (3 credits) Level Example, Sequential Third-Year French I (3 credits) Third-Year French II (3 credits) French Conversation (3 credits), plus electives Fourth-Year French I (3 credits) Advanced Level Example Sequential Fourth-Year French II Seminar in French Language French Conversation (3 credits), plus electives 20th-Century & Contem. French Literature Summer Session I Credits: 3 minimum, 5 maximum Language is not required during the summer session. Students that choose to enroll in a language course are required to also enroll in the 1 credit French Conversation course. 12
France Pau Fall and Spring Semester Total Credits: 15 minimum, 18 maximum This program does not have tracks in the same structure of the other programs. Pau students are required to enroll in three sequential language courses plus a 1- to 3-credit French Conversation course for a total of 12 credit hours of language classes. Students may begin their language courses at any level. Students are also required to take at least one elective course. Language Course Options: French Conversation (1-3 credits), First Year French I, First Year French II, Second Year French I, Second Year French II, Third Year French I, Third Year French II, Fourth Year French I, Fourth Year French II, French Stylistics, Language and Cinema, Seminar in French Language, 20th-Century & Contemporary French Literature Level Example Sequential First-Year French I (4 credits) First-Year French II (4 credits) French Conversation (1 credit), plus electives Second-Year French I (3 credits) Level Example Sequential Second-Year French I (3 credits) Second-Year French II (3 credits) French Conversation (3 credits), plus electives Third-Year French I (3 credits) Advanced Level Example Sequential Fourth-Year French II Seminar in French Language French Conversation (3 credits), plus electives 20th-Century & Contem. French Literature Summer Session I Credits: 5 minimum, 6 maximum; Session II: 4 minimum, 5 maximum Session I is five-weeks (6 credit maximum) and Session II is four-weeks (5 credit maximum). Students are required to enroll in a total of five language credits during Session I or four credits during Session II. During Session I, first year students must take a one credit conversation course, while second year and above students must enroll in a two credit conversation course. During Session II, second year and above students must enroll in a one credit conversation course. A conversation course is not required for first year students. 13
Germany Lüneburg The track courses are taught sequentially (back to back) within one semester. If you have already taken the first course in the track, you do not have to take it again for credit, but you must audit it. All students are required to enroll in the courses listed for the appropriate language track plus language and literature elective courses and/or courses from German Studies or Engineering for a total of 12-18 credits. Track I (14 credits) Prerequisite: none Sequential German I German II Elective, up to 4 credits German I German II Track II (12 credits) Prerequisite: two semesters of college German Sequential German I German II Elective, up to 6 credits German German I Track III (9 credits) Prerequisite: four semesters of college German Sequential German Elective, up to 9 credits German I Advanced German I Track IV (6 credits) Prerequisite: six semesters of college German Sequential Advanced German I Advanced German II Elective, up to 12 credits Summer Credits: 3 minimum, 6 maximum Language is not required. All of the summer language courses are intensive, with 3 to 5 credits of German available in each five-week session. You may also take additional elective courses for up to a total of 6 credits each session. 14
Italy Reggio Emilia All students are required to spend the beginning of the fall and spring semester taking an intensive sixweek Italian language course (either Italian I, Italian I or Italian Composition I), which allows for rapid acquisition of language and culture. All language courses focus on the skills of speaking, reading, writing and listening. After the intensive period, students have the option to take an additional language course. For a well rounded Italian language curriculum, Italian Conversation is highly recommended. Level (8 credits) Prerequisite: none Mandatory Intensive Language Period Optional Intensive Language Period Sequential Italian I Italian II Elective, up to 10 credits Level (6 credits) Prerequisite: two semesters of college Italian Sequential Italian I Italian II Elective, up to 12 credits Composition Level (6 credits) Prerequisite: four semesters of college Italian Sequential Italian Italian I Elective, up to 12 credits Summer Session I Credits: 3 minimum, 6 maximum; Session II: 3 minimum, 5 maximum Language is not required. All offered summer language courses are intensive, with 1 to 4 credits of Italian taught in each session. You may also take additional elective courses. 15
Italy Torino All students are required to spend the beginning of the fall and spring semester taking an intensive sixweek Italian language course (either Italian I, Italian I, Italian, or Advanced Italian I; if you have already taken this course, you will have to repeat or audit the course), which allows for rapid acquisition of language and culture. All language courses focus on skills of speaking, reading, writing and listening. After the intensive period, students have the option to take an additional language course. For a well rounded Italian language curriculum, Italian Conversation is highly recommended. Level (8 credits) Prerequisite: none Mandatory Intensive Language Period Optional Intensive Language Period Sequential Italian I Italian II Elective, up to 10 credits Level (6 credits) Prerequisite: two semesters of college Italian Sequential Italian I Italian II Elective, up to 12 credits Composition Level (6 credits) Prerequisite: four semesters of college Italian Sequential Italian Italian I Elective, up to 12 credits Advanced Level (6 credits) Prerequisite: six semesters of college Italian Sequential Advanced Italian I Advanced Italian II Elective, up to 12 credits Summer Credits: 3 minimum, 6 maximum Language is not required. All of the summer language courses are intensive, with 3 to 5 credits of Italian available in each five-week session. You may also take additional elective courses for up to a total of 6 credits each session. 16
Italy Viterbo Students who do not enroll in a language track are required to take Italian I (4 credits). Track I (8 credits) Prerequisite: none Sequential Italian I Italian II Elective, up to 10 credits Track II (6 credits) Prerequisite: two semesters of college Italian Sequential Italian I Italian II Elective, up to 12 credits Track III (6 credits) Prerequisite: four semesters of college Italian Sequential Italian Italian I Elective, up to 12 credits Track IV (6 credits) Prerequisite: six semesters of college Italian Sequential Advanced Italian I Advanced Italian II Elective, up to 12 credits Summer Credits: 3 minimum, 6 maximum Language is not required. All of the summer language courses are intensive, with 3 to 5 credits of Italian available in each five-week session. You may also take additional elective courses for up to a total of 6 credits each session. 17
Spain Alicante The track courses are taught sequentially (back to back) within one semester. If you have already taken the first course in the track, you do not have to take it again for credit, but you must audit it. If you wish to only take part of the language track, you may request this on the Course and Tour Registration Form. Students enroll in the courses listed for the appropriate language track plus language and literature electives and/or courses from and European Studies for a total of 12-18 credits. Track I (14 credits) Prerequisite: none Sequential I II Elective, up to 4 credits I II Track II (12 credits) Prerequisite: two semesters of college Sequential I II Elective, up to 6 credits I Track III (9 credits) Prerequisite: four semesters of college Sequential Elective, up to 9 credits I Advanced I Track IV (6 credits) Prerequisite: six semesters of college Sequential Advanced I Advanced II Elective, up to 12 credits Summer Session I Credits: 3 minimum, 6 maximum; Session II Credits: 3 minimum, 5 maximum Language is not required. All of the summer language courses are intensive, with 3 to 5 credits of available in each five-week session. You may also take additional elective courses for up to a total of 6 credits in Session I and 5 credits in Session II. 18
Spain Bilbao Students who wish to focus on Business studies can choose to take only 1 or 2 courses of the language track. Track I (11 credits) Prerequisite: none Sequential I II I Elective, up to 7 credits Track II (9 credits) Prerequisite: two semesters of college Sequential I II Elective, up to 9 credits Track III (9 credits) Prerequisite: four semesters of college Sequential Elective, up to 9 credits I Advanced I Track IV (6 credits) Prerequisite: six semesters of college Sequential Advanced I Advanced II Elective, up to 12 credits Summer Session I Credits: 3 minimum, 6 maximum; Session II Credits: 3 minimum, 4 maximum Language is not required. All of the summer language courses are intensive. Session I is five-weeks (6 credit maximum) and Session II is three-weeks (4 credit maximum). You may also take additional elective courses. 19
Spain Madrid The track courses are taught sequentially (back to back) within one semester. If you have already taken the first course in the track, you do not have to take it again for credit, but you must audit it. If you wish to only take part of a language track, you may request this on the Course and Tour Registration Form. In addition to language courses, students may choose elective language and literature courses and/or courses from and European Studies for a total of 12-18 credits. Track I (14 credits) Prerequisite: none Sequential I II Elective, up to 4 credits I II Track II (12 credits) Prerequisite: two semesters of college Sequential I II Elective, up to 6 credits I Track III (9 credits) Prerequisite: four semesters of college Sequential Elective, up to 9 credits I Advanced I Track IV (6 credits) Prerequisite: six semesters of college Sequential Advanced I Advanced II Elective, up to 12 credits Summer Credits: 3 minimum, 5 maximum Language is not required. All of the summer language courses are intensive, with 3 to 4 credits of available in each four-week session. You may also take additional elective courses for up to a total of 5 credits each session. 20
Spain San Sebastián Language Students enrolled in a Language track cannot enroll in a Basque Language Track because they are taught at different locations. The track courses are taught sequentially (back to back) within one semester. If you have already taken the first course in the track, you do not have to take it again for credit, but you must audit it. If you wish to only take part of the language track, you may request this on the Course and Tour Registration Form. All students will enroll in the courses listed for the appropriate language track plus elective language and literature courses and/or courses from, Basque, and European Area Studies for a total of 12-18 credits. Track I (14 credits) Prerequisite: none Sequential I II Elective, up to 4 credits I II Track II (12 credits) Prerequisite: two semesters of college Sequential I II Elective, up to 6 credits I Track III (9 credits) Prerequisite: four semesters of college Sequential Elective, up to 9 credits I Advanced I Track IV (6 credits) Prerequisite: six semesters of college Sequential Advanced I Advanced II Elective, up to 12 credits Summer Session I Credits: 3 minimum, 6 maximum; Session II Credits: 3 minimum, 5 maximum Language is not required. All of the summer language courses are intensive, with 3 to 5 credits of available in each five-week session. You may also take additional elective courses for up to a total of 6 credits in Session I and 5 credits in Session II. 21
Spain San Sebastián Basque Language Students enrolled in a Basque Language track cannot enroll in a Language Track because they are taught at different locations. Basque Language Options are available both semesters, permitting students enroll in Basque Language courses for up to 5 hours per day, 5 days per week, for a total of 14 credits. This option begins 3 weeks later than the regular USAC Schedule and must be arranged 10 weeks before the start of the semester. Track I (8 credits) Prerequisite: none Sequential Basque I Basque II Elective in English, up to 10 credits Track II (6 credits) Prerequisite: two semesters of college Basque Sequential Basque I Basque II Elective in English, up to 12 credits Track III (6 credits) Prerequisite: four semesters of college Basque Sequential Advanced Basque I Advanced Basque II Elective in, up to 12 credits Summer Session I Credits: 3 minimum, 6 maximum; Session II Credits: 3 minimum, 5 maximum Language is not required. All of the summer language courses are intensive, with 3 to 5 credits of Basque available in each session. Session I is 5 weeks and Session II is 4 weeks. Elective courses may be taken along with language credits for a total of 6 credits in Session I and 5 credits in Session II. 22