The Department of World Languages offers you the world
Our programs not only build and broaden language skills, but also expose you to the
rich culture and history of the world鈥檚 people and places. Our comprehensive and intensive
range of courses allows for the study of a wide variety of languages and cultures,
including French, German, Japanese , and Spanish. For information on Cherokee language
studies in the Anthropology and Sociology Department, please visit Cherokee Studies.
We offer several undergraduate academic programs that include a World Languages BA major with a concentration in German, Japanese, Spanish and Dual Language. We also offer a minor in German,Japanese, Latina/o Studies, and Spanish.
In addition to your curricular pursuits, you鈥檒l find any number of special opportunities
and events to get involved in鈥攊ncluding student-run organizations, Study Abroad, Hispanic
Heritage Month, and the annual Language Contest for High School Students, to name
but a few.
Whether your passion is absorbing the cultures of the world or teaching a foreign
language or second language learners, the Department of World Languages offers you
the world.
Our faculty have a wide range of expertise, experience, interests and connections. The small
size of most classes in the World Languages Department means there is plenty of opportunity
for interaction between teacher and student.
Language Contest
The 42nd annual Language Contest for high school students will be held in-person on
Tuesday, April 21, 2026 with more information to come. If you have questions, please contact David Jons.
Contest Rules
蘑菇短视频 Spanish Language Contest
Event Rules 2026
The Quiz Bowl is a team competition with questions and answers in the target language.
The questions are all related to the Spanish-speaking world in some way, with topics
that vary from language usage to history, geography, the arts, and other cultural
aspects. Schools can select 1 team, and each team should consist of 2 to 4 students.
There will be no distinction between language learners and native/heritage speakers.
Schools may select any combination of language learners and native/heritage speakers
for their team.
The number can include recorded or live instrumental music and dance, but preference
in judging is given to participants who sing in the target language. Students will
be evaluated on language use, costume/props, performance, and overall impression.
We urge you to prepare your act and exit the performance area as quickly as possible
as a courtesy to the next group. Students are allowed 10 minutes for the performance.
Limit of 1 group per school with a maximum of 18 per group. The stage is elevated
and is 41鈥� wide x 9鈥� deep. By allowing more students on stage, the more encumbered
the performance may be, owing to the tighter space. *Please bring any electronic equipment
with you including microphones and stands. Electrical outlets and extension cords
will be available.
In this event, students will recite a poem of their choosing. Each student should
bring a copy of the selected poem to give to the judge. The recitation should last
between 1 and 2 minutes. Students should not perform theatrically or use props. Instead,
they will be evaluated on memorization, pronunciation, intonation, and the overall
diQiculty of the selection. Each school can select up to a total of 4 students allowed
regardless of whether the students are Language Learners or Native/Heritage speakers
(depending on the number of participating schools, the number of students allowed
in this category may change). Judges will evaluate Spanish Language Learners and Spanish
Native/Heritage speakers as two separate groups and will assign awards accordingly
Students must NOT have taken classes beyond the level of Spanish I. Students will
bring an object and describe it. The presentation should be between 60-90 seconds.
Students must be able to answer a question or two from the judges. They will be evaluated
on fluency, vocabulary, pronunciation, preparedness, and originality. Maximum of 3
students allowed per school. This category is exclusively for L2 learners, not Native/heritage
speakers.
Students should be at the Spanish 2 level. Exceptional students at the Spanish I level
are allowed to compete in this event, but they will not be judged separately. The
student will have 1 陆 - 2 minutes (90-120 seconds) to describe how to do something.
Props are allowed. Students must be able to answer a question or two from the judges.
They will be evaluated on fluency, vocabulary, pronunciation, preparedness, and originality.
Maximum of 3 students allowed per school (depending on the number of participating
schools, the number of students allowed in this category may change). This category
is exclusively for L2 learners, not Native/heritage speakers.
Students should be at the Spanish 3 or Spanish 4 levels or be native/heritage speakers.
Spanish learners and native/heritage speakers will be judged separately. The event
will allow a maximum of six minutes per student. Students will be asked a series of
questions about their lives, their experiences, and their opinions. Their answers
will be judged on the complexity and accuracy of grammar and syntax, the scope of
vocabulary, and the level of fluency (flow)with which they express themselves. Total
of 4 students maximum regardless of whether the students are Language Learners or
Native/Heritage speakers (depending on the number of schools participating, the number
of students allowed in this category may change). If you have Spanish Heritage speakers
whose language proficiency aligns more with that of a language learner, please contact
David Jons at djons@wcu.edu.
Participants will submit an original video created primarily in Spanish that demonstrates
eQective communication, thoughtful expression, and purposeful language use. Submissions
may vary widely in style, genre, and approach; originality and personal expression
are valued. Submissions are limited to a maximum of 10 minutes. Limit one submission
per school. Post videos to Youtube with private link 鈥� email link to djons@wcu.edu.
Time permitting, video submissions will be shown during the Language Contest. Videos
will be judged by language use, performance, and overall creativity.
Keep up with Spanish Program news with our blog, where you鈥檒l find updates on current students, alumni, faculty, and upcoming events.
Take a look at what is happening on our Japanese Program blog where you will also find information on events hosted by our Japan Outreach Initiative
Coordinator
Want to learn more about languages in general? iLanguage Talks, orchestrated by Garrett
Fisher, showcase how language and culture intersect.
