Program Goals

The goals of the African Language Program at Michigan State University are to provide to the U.S. community a national resource for African languages by:

Learner Goals

The learner goals of the African Language Program include:

1. proficiency in the selected language in the four skill areas (hearing, speaking, reading and writing). Oral proficiency goals for each year are linked to the levels of proficiency as established generically by the American Council of Teachers of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). While the rate at which proficiency levels will vary, depending on the degree of difficulty of the language, we generally expect the following levels after each year of study.
   
   

Level Year	Total Classroom Hours	ACTFL Proficiency Level
Beginning: First Year	150 hours	Intermediate low/mid
Intermediate: Second Year	300 hours	Intermediate high
Advanced: Third Year	390 hours	Advanced*


*ACTFL advanced represents the minimal level in which a researcher can be fully operative in the field, independent of a translator.


2. an increased facility in cross-cultural communication
3. the acquisition of cultural knowledge of the communities using the selected language
4. an awareness of, and sensitivity toward, cultural differences
5. and the development of language learning management skills to ensure life-long learning