The department offers introductory and advanced courses in French, German, and Spanish and introductory courses in African languages, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese and Russian. The first year modern language courses attempt to develop in the student the ability to understand, speak, and read the foreign language of the student's choice with a facility and confidence sufficient for the student's immediate academic needs. The department also offers minor sequences in French, Spanish, and Latin American/ Latino Studies for students majoring in other degree programs. (The minor in Latin American/Latino Studies is pending approval from the Illinois Board of Higher Education. Consult with the program director in Modern Languages for the status of the program.)