Program Code: UGCT-AS
Cert Code: WLA
Modern and Classical Languages Department
Buckham Hall B234
(716) 878-5414
languages.buffalostate.edu/
Proficiency in a world language naturally enhances a variety of personal and professional opportunities. The World Languages Advantage (WLA) Certificate is an excellent way to develop and document such language proficiency. The Certificate signals that you embrace your global citizenship and is invaluable in the ever-expanding global marketplace of careers.
There are seven different WLA Certificate tracks to choose from.
Each WLA Certificate track consists of a five-course sequence that includes a 3XX-level capstone. In order to be awarded the Certificate, you must maintain a minimum overall GPA of 2.00 and a minimum language specific GPA of 2.66 throughout the entire course sequence. You may transfer in some language credits, upon approval, but must complete at least two courses in the sequence at Buffalo State, including one 3XX-level course. Applying outside course equivalents or credits by examination (e.g., CLEP, IB, etc.) to the certificate is subject to departmental approval and may, in some cases, require a proficiency interview.
The four main tracks in the WLA Certificate target ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) Intermediate-level proficiency, which is a baseline for workplace competence in a second language. The skills you will learn include being able to talk about your daily life; asking and answering simple questions about what is going on around you; and speaking with native language speakers who are used to speaking with non-native speakers.
Within the World Languages Advantage Certificate there are three specialized ‘languages for specific purposes’ tracks that target ACTFL Advanced-level proficiency and specific career paths: Professional French, Professional Spanish, and Spanish Court Interpreting. The skills you will learn with these include being able to discuss autobiographical topics as well as topics of community, national, or international interest; being able to recognize and use the vocabulary of specific career paths; handling conversations that arise from unexpected situations; and speaking with native language speakers, even if they are not used to speaking with non-native speakers.
Even if you do not directly enroll in these three specialized tracks, from the 202-level onward, you can expect opportunities to engage with your language of specialization in contemporary professional settings.
It is important to note that, while all the Certificate tracks target ACTFL proficiency levels, you will not be awarded ACTFL certification along with your WLA Certificate.
The certificate tracks are as follows:
World Language Advantage: Chinese
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credit Hours |
| CHI 101 | BEGINNING CHINESE I | 3 |
| CHI 102 | BEGINNING CHINESE II | 3 |
| CHI 201 | INTERMEDIATE CHINESE I | 3 |
| CHI 202 | INTERMEDIATE CHINESE II | 3 |
| CHI 301 | CHINESE CONVERSATION AND COMPOSITION I | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 15 |
World Language Advantage: French
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credit Hours |
| FRE 101 | BEGINNING FRENCH I | 3 |
| FRE 102 | BEGINNING FRENCH II | 3 |
| FRE 201 | INTERMEDIATE FRENCH I | 3 |
| FRE 202 | INTERMEDIATE FRENCH II | 3 |
| FRE 301 | INTRODUCTION TO FRANCOPHONE CULTURE | 3 |
World Language Advantage: Italian
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credit Hours |
| ITA 101 | BEGINNING ITALIAN I | 3 |
| ITA 102 | BEGINNING ITALIAN II | 3 |
| ITA 201 | INTERMEDIATE ITALIAN I | 3 |
| ITA 202 | INTERMEDIATE ITALIAN II | 3 |
| ITA 301 | ITALIAN CONVERSATION AND COMPOSITION | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 15 |
World Language Advantage: Spanish
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credit Hours |
| SPA 101 | BEGINNING SPANISH I | 3 |
| SPA 102 | BEGINNING SPANISH II | 3 |
| SPA 201 | INTERMEDIATE SPANISH I | 3 |
| SPA 202 | INTERMEDIATE SPANISH II | 3 |
| SPA 301 | INTRODUCTION TO HISPANIC CULTURES | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 15 |
World Language Advantage: Professional French
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credit Hours |
| FRE 203 | WORKPLACE FRENCH I | 3 |
| FRE 204 | WORKPLACE FRENCH II | 3 |
| FRE 301 | INTRODUCTION TO FRANCOPHONE CULTURE | 3 |
| FRE 302 | INTRODUCTION TO FRANCOPHONE MEDIA | 3 |
| FRE 310 | ISSUES IN PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 15 |
World Language Advantage: Professional Spanish
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credit Hours |
| SPA 203 | PROFESSIONAL SPANISH I | 3 |
| SPA 204 | PROFESSIONAL SPANISH II | 3 |
| SPA 301 | INTRODUCTION TO HISPANIC CULTURES | 3 |
| SPA 302 | INTRODUCTION TO HISPANIC MEDIA | 3 |
| SPA 317 | BUSINESS SPANISH | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 15 |
World Language Advantage: Spanish Court Interpreting
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credit Hours |
| SPA 204 | PROFESSIONAL SPANISH II | 3 |
| MCL 370 | INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNITY INTERPRETING AND TRANSLATION | 3 |
| SPA 399 | SPANISH FOR THE LEGAL PROFESSIONS | 3 |
| SPA 403 | SPANISH COURT INTERPRETING | 3 |
| SPA 407 | SPANISH COURT INTERPRETING PRACTICUM | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 15 |
