Adding More Foreign

Language Courses at
Hamline University: A
Feasibility Study
INTRODUCTION TO PROFESSIONAL WRITING AND
RHETORIC
CARRIE OMMEN

Overview

Introduction

Criteria
Research Methods
Results
Conclusions
Recommendations

Introduction
Hamline currently offers 4 languages
Number of majors require proficiency studies
Insufficient programs make proficiency difficult
Adding more programs increases student accessibility to a
variety of current and future learning opportunities

Criteria
Do students show interest in pursuing a foreign language within
existing programs?
Is there student interest in adding more programs to existing ones?
Are students available to take advantage of new programs, should
they be implemented?
Does student interest concentrate on a specific language program
that would have a wide base of appeal?
Would the base of appeal for a given language balance with costs
associated with implementation of a new program?

Research Methods
Searched Hamline University foreign language course offeringsSpring 2015

Created and administered a student survey to determine

student attitudes toward new and existing foreign language
programs
Analyzed data obtained from student survey responses to
create graphics
Researched within Hamline University databases and Bureau of
Labor statistics website to acquire information pertaining to:
Benefits of foreign language courses for students
Average salaries of full- and part-time foreign language education faculty

Research Results-Costs
Strong consensus of need for more language programs
Implementation and expansion is difficult
Particularly, it is costly
Avg. full-time salary of university foreign language educator=$67,910
MN and Midwest regions pay higher than average
Incoming faculty would have high expectations for pay

Research Results-Student
Interest & Availability
Strong interest and extensive study time required for effective
foreign language learning process
Students lacked interest in foreign language, as well as time
availability
Reasons for not taking foreign language courses included
Class conflict
Generally too busy
Lacking time availability

Research Results-Figure 1
Would you like to study a new foreign language
at a university level?

Research Results-Figure 2
How far would you pursue foreign language
education if given the option of more classes?

Research Results-Figure 3
What factors would prevent you from taking
a foreign language?

Conclusions
Students do not show interest in new foreign language programs
Lacking student interest and availability would not balance costs of current
program expansion or new program implementation
Availability of students would not permit effective foreign language study
Inconsistent data did not support one additional language over another for
future research into new programs

Recommendations
Further analysis of implementation costs of new programs beyond faculty
Assess a wider student base to determine foreign language areas of interest
Discuss potential student interest in foreign language opportunities without
having to take new foreign language courses
Allow greater participation in foreign language-related events given that new
program curriculum is not feasible

Questions?
Feel free to ask following presentation
Further Contact Information:
commen01@hamline.edu
555-555-5555