Learning different language benefits communication skills

Welcome, IUP students, to the liberal studies language requirement.

Many undergraduates are required to take up to 12 credit hours of a foreign language aimed at promoting better communication skills and introduc­ing the student body to the different cultures.

To encourage students to find something that interests them, IUP offers coursework in Chinese, Italian, French, Spanish and German. International trade tracks are avail­able for the latter three.

Language is a tool that helps us tap into the lives of people from around the world, and IUP has a big toolbox filled with options for students who need extra help.

"Sometimes the hardest part about teaching language is finding ways to make it meaningful to the students," said Spanish instructor John Zyck.

For instructors, helping students learn a new language often requires that instructors be creative and use diverse teaching methods.