Self-Instructional Languages
Students of high motivation and demonstrable language-learning aptitude may apply for enrollment in independent study courses in languages not taught in the classroom.
This program does not satisfy the language or cultural diversity requirement; normally students have had a previous language.
In all areas of the program, we adhere to the standards of the National Association of Self-Instructional Language Programs. Emphasis is placed on the spoken language, though reading skills are also developed.
Each offering is an intensive audio-lingual course utilizing self-instructional texts combined with three hours per week with a native speaker, and a final examination by a specialist who is usually invited from another institution. The final grade for the semester is based on the outside examination.
Languages
Most of the following are offered at beginning, continuing and intermediate levels:
- American Sign Language
- Amharic
- Brazilian Portuguese
- Portuguese
- Danish
- Dutch
- Hebrew
- Hindi
- Hungarian
- Italian
- Japanese
- Korean
- Modern Greek
- Swahili
- Swedish
Not all languages are offered at all three levels. Additional languages may be requested, however, requests must be received by the end of the add/drop period of the previous semester.
Apply
The Director of Self-Instructional Languages Program must approve applications. Students must indicate their interest well in advance of enrollment (by the end of the pre-enrollment period). No late applications will be accepted once the semester has begun.
Apply to the Self-Instructional Languages Program
Contact
Professor Abril Jimenez is the director of the Self-Instructional Languages Program. For further information please email her at abjimenez@davidson.edu or call 704-894-3082, or email Susan Archer, program coordinator, at suarcher@davidson.edu.