Language Houses General Information
The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures sponsors language-house experiences in Chinese, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish.
What is a language house?
It is an apartment in which the residents commit to speaking the target language with one another. Each language has a native-speaking assistant who lives in the house and works with the program. Students in the Furman University language houses must take a course (Language House course in the specific language) in conjunction with the program for the entire year (265 in the fall and 266 in the spring).
Why live in the language houses? Who should live there?
The language houses give students an opportunity for an immersion experience in the language without having to leave home. It can be a good experience for students who have been on foreign study and want to maintain and improve their language skills. It would also be a good preparation for foreign study or a good substitute for students unable to go on foreign study.
Who is eligible?
Any student who has completed a minimum of the 201-level of a language (former 21) is eligible to apply.
What programming is offered in the language houses?
A faculty member in conjunction with the language house assistant (native speaker) in each language supervises the programming for the house. All students living in the houses take a course in contemporary issues relating to their language and country or countries. Each group will meet regularly (weekly) to discuss timely issues, films, or TV programming. Guests from the community or outside speakers may be included in the programming as well. Each house offers different types of cultural activities such as holiday gatherings, film nights, festivals, blog or journal writing, cooking, game nights, etc.
If I am applying to go on foreign study next year, should I apply to live in the language houses as well?
Even though preference will be given to students who can commit for the full year, we can help make arangements for those students who are willing to participate in the Language House for only one semester.
How do students apply to live in the language houses?
Applications are made available in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures (Furman Hall 235) and on this website in January. They are usually due in early February.
Contact people:
If you have any questions about the language houses, please get in touch with:
Dr. Marianne Bessy (Director, Language House)
Phone: 294-2407
Dr. Bill Allen (Chair, Department of Modern Languages and Literatures)
Phone: 294-2954