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  • Boldly Barnard

    Leading the Way

    Discover the bold, brilliant voices and achievements of Barnard women – from activism to entrepreneurship, making their mark on the world.

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Languages

  • Language Policy
  • Information by Language

Programs by Language

Language Policy Overview

Barnard recommends that all students planning to study in a non-anglophone country take courses in the host country language before going abroad. The College also recognizes that there is a wide variety of academic motivations to study abroad beyond language study. Students should consult the eligibility requirements for individual programs as listed under approved programs. Use the advanced search option to filter programs by language of instruction.

Review helpful information by language/relevant department below. 

Information by Language

Asian and Middle Eastern Cultures Department

Chair: Rachel McDermott

Arabic Language Coordinator, Columbia U: Taoufik Ben-Amor

Programs to consider:
American University in Cairo
CIEE Advanced Arabic Language, Amman, Jordan
 

French Department

Co-chair: Peter Connor

Co-chair: Anne Boyman

For non-majors/minors
Most approved programs in Francophone countries require the equivalent of 4-5 semesters of college-level language preparation. It is strongly recommended that students complete the language sequence through FREN BC3006 Composition and Conversation (equivalent of fifth semester of French).  

Please note that, per the Registrar’s policy, it is not possible to get credit for the same language level already completed at Barnard. For instance, if you have taken Intermediate French I and II (BC1203-1204) at Barnard and are placed into Intermediate French by your study abroad program, you should discuss the possibility of a higher placement with your program. Please be in touch with Barnard Global if necessary.  

Some programs to consider if you have less French language preparation:
Sciences Po
Syracuse Strasbourg
SIT Cameroon: Development & Social Change

For majors and minors
Majors and minors are expected to complete the following gateway courses at Barnard:
FREN BC3021-3022 Major French Texts I and II

Recommended program for majors, minors and advanced speakers:
Columbia Reid Hall

 

German Department

Chair: Erk Grimm

Barnard German Language Program Coordinator: Irene Motyl-Mudretzkyj

For non-majors/minors
Most approved programs in German-speaking countries require the equivalent of 4-5 semesters of college-level language preparation. It is strongly recommended that students complete the language sequence through UN2102 Intermediate German II.    

Please note that, per the Registrar’s policy, it is not possible to get credit for the same language level already completed at Barnard. For instance, if you have taken Intermediate German I and II (UN2101-2102) at Columbia-Barnard and are placed into Intermediate German by your study abroad program, you should discuss the possibility of a higher placement with your program. Please be in touch with Barnard Global if necessary.  

Some programs to consider if you have less German language preparation:
BCGS Fall Term Program
IES Vienna
Summer: Vienna

For majors and minors
Majors and minors are expected to complete the following gateway courses at Barnard:

Recommended program for majors, minors and advanced speakers:
Berlin Consortium for German Studies

Italian Program

Chair: Nelson Moe

For non-majors/minors
Most approved programs in Italy require the equivalent of 3-4 semesters of college-level language preparation. It is strongly recommended that students complete the language sequence through UN2102 Intermediate Italian II.    

Please note that, per the Registrar’s policy, it is not possible to get credit for the same language level already completed at Barnard. For instance, if you have taken Intermediate Italian I and II (UN2101-2102) at Columbia-Barnard and are placed into Intermediate Italian by your study abroad program, you should discuss the possibility of a higher placement with your program. Please be in touch with Barnard Global if necessary.  

Some programs to consider if you have less Italian language preparation:
IES programs: Rome and Milan

For majors and minors
Majors and minors are expected to complete the following gateway courses at Barnard:
ITAL UN3333-3334 Introduction to Italian Literature I and II

Recommended program for majors, minors and advanced language speakers:
Bologna Consortial Studies Program
Brown in Bologna
Boston University Padua Italian Studies Program

Asian and Middle Eastern Cultures Department

Chair: Rachel McDermott

Senior Lecturer in Japanese, Columbia U: Fumiko Nazikian

Programs to consider:
Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies
IES Nagoya - Nanzan University
Summer Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies: Classical Japanese
Summer Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies: Modern Japanese

Asian and Middle Eastern Cultures Department

Chair: Rachel McDermott

Director of the Korean Language Program, Columbia U: Joowon Suh

Programs to consider:
Ewha Womans University
Yonsei University

Programs to consider: 

Asian and Middle Eastern Cultures Department

Chair: Rachel McDermott

Director of the Chinese Language Program, Columbia U: Lening Liu

Programs to consider:
CIEE Advanced Chinese Studies, Beijing
CIEE Intensive Chinese Language, Beijing
Middlebury Hangzhou
Summer: Columbia in Beijing - Chinese Language

Portuguese Language Program, Columbia University

Director: Jose Antonio Castellanos-Pazos

Programs to consider:
CASA Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Summer: Columbia in Rio

 

 

Slavic Department

Chair: Helene Peet Foley

Director of the Russian Language Program, Columbia U: Alla Smyslova

Programs to consider:
Bard Smolny in Saint Petersburg
Middlebury in Moscow, Yaroslavl and Irkutsk

Spanish & Latin American Cultures

Chair: Orlando Betancour

Study Abroad Advisor: Antoni Fernandez Parera

For non-majors/minors
Most approved programs in Spanish-speaking countries require the equivalent of 4-5 semesters of college-level language preparation. It is strongly recommended that students complete the language sequence through SPAN UN3300 Advanced Language through Content (equivalent of fifth semester of Spanish).  

All Spanish language and culture courses – even for non-majors and minors – must be reviewed and approved by the Spanish & Latin American Cultures study abroad advisor (listed above).  Please note that, per the Registrar’s policy, it is not possible to get credit for the same language level already completed at Barnard. For instance, if you have taken Intermediate Spanish I and II (UN2101-2102) at Barnard and are placed into Intermediate Spanish by your study abroad program, you should discuss the possibility of a higher placement with your program. Please be in touch with Barnard Global if necessary.  

Some programs to consider if you have less Spanish language preparation:
CASA Granada, Spain
Syracuse Santiago, Chile
CIEE Liberal Arts Seville, Spain

For majors and minors
Majors and minors are expected to have completed all three bridge courses before studying abroad:
SPAN UN3300 Advanced Language through Content
SPAN UN3349 Hispanic Cultures I
SPAN UN2250 Hispanic Cultures II

Recommended programs for majors, minors and advanced language speakers:
Barnard Faculty-Led Summer Program: Sustainable Communities in Ecuador

CASA programs: Buenos  Aires, Argentina; Santiago, Chile; Havana, Cuba; Barcelona, Spain; Seville, Spain
Middlebury in Spain: Córdoba, Getafe (Carlos III), Logroño, Madrid (Autónoma), Madrid (Sede Prim)
IFSA programs: Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru, Lima and Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica

Search programs by language
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