Foreign Languages & Literature

Give yourself an edge in today’s competitive international job market by speaking a foreign language.

Department Vision  

Students majoring in Foreign Languages and Literatures at ECU develop cultural competence by learning to communicate (read, write, speak) effectively in another language. They acquire the capacity to understand, appreciate and interact with people from cultures with different world views or belief systems, and commit to lifelong learning. Students analyze various forms of cultural expression critically and develop a cross-cultural sensibility needed in a wide variety of professional settings. Our graduating majors thus have a unique set of skills preparing them for successful careers in the information-driven, interconnected, and multilingual twenty-first century.

The faculty in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures inspire students to reflect on what it means to be a global citizen and to think critically about world cultures. While developing proficiency in a foreign language, students study abroad, conduct research, embrace diversity, and engage with the communities in which they live.

By studying in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, you’ll learn about different ways of life by living them!

Click here to view our degree programs.


ECU THCAS "Your Major Matters"

Russian Studies student awarded a ProjectGO Award to do a fully funded summer studying Russian in Riga, Latvia

Headshot of Wayne (Sonny) Lehto, who was awarded ProjectGo Award.

Wayne (Sonny) Lehto

Wayne (Sonny) Lehto, awarded a ProjectGO Award, includes all expenses paid (flight, tuition, room and board, etc.) and will be a two-month program of studying third-year Russian language in an immersive environment. ProjectGO targets ROTC and military affiliated students who wish to pursue careers as officers, linguists and other specialized tracks within the military.

Sonny is a junior, majoring in Engineering with a minor in Russian Studies. Sonny stated, “it feels good to see a lot of time invested into something that leads to this sort of result. I can’t help but thank God as well, as my Christian faith has played and continues to play a huge role in my life. ECU’s faculty have provided excellent guidance and support at every turn and have helped me to grow as a student as well as an individual.”


FLL Students’ journey to become a Spanish teacher has taken her from eastern North Carolina to Mexico and back home to East Carolina University

Headshot of FLL undergraduate student, Alondra Torres (Photos by Steven Mantilla), who was featured in a Student Pirate Profile.

Alondra Torres (Photos by Steven Mantilla)

“Alondra Torres was born in Williamston, about 30 minutes away from ECU’s campus, but her parents moved the family to Mexico when she was 3. Torres lived there until she was 14, when she and her parents decided she would come back to North Carolina to live with her uncle’s family to pursue her degree. Her parents and younger brothers and sisters live in Veracruz, Mexico, along the Gulf Coast.”

Click here to read the full story.


Pre-law Student Recommends FLL’s Spanish for Heritage Speakers Class, Getting Involved in Student Organizations

Headshot of pre-law student, Sarah Mejía (photography by Steve Mantilla), who recommends FLL's Spanish for Heritage Speakers Class.

Sarah Mejía (photo by Steve Mantilla).

“A resilient first-generation college student is defying odds and inspiring her peers with her remarkable college journey despite battling a congenital heart defect. A psychology major at East Carolina University, Sarah Mejía’s unwavering determination and positive spirit are proving that challenges can be conquered with perseverance…”

Click here to read the full story.


Senior FLL Major receives Jane Mitchell-Manolita Buck Scholarship

Headshot of Senior FLL Major, Alondra Torres, who received Jane Mitchell-Manolita Buck Scholarship

Alondra Torres

Alondra Torres, senior FLL Major, Hispanic Studies Education concentration, was just awarded the Jane Mitchell-Manolita Buck Scholarship by the Foreign Language Association of North Carolina (FLANC). Alondra is a 1st generation student from Greenville who is interning this semester at Rose High School, where she is helping to teach Spanish 2 and 3. She was chosen for the award for her excellent academic record, her community involvement, and her passion for language teaching and learning.


Fall 2023 Graduation Recognition Ceremony

The Fall 2023 Graduation Recognition ceremony will be held at 4 p.m. on December 15th in the Hendrix Theatre in Mendenhall Building.


Dale Knickerbocker gives opening keynote address

Image of Dale Knickerbocker giving the keynote address at the conference Reimagining Futures for the International Congress of Latin American and Spanish Science Fiction

Dale Knickerbocker giving keynote address.

Dr. Dale Knickerbocker from Foreign Languages ​​and Literatures gave the opening keynote address “Historical memory and the ‘two Spains’ in the Spanish apocalyptic novel around the turn of the millennium” at the conference Reimagining Futures for the International Congress of Latin American and Spanish Science Fiction (2010-2020) at the University of Alcalá de Henares, Spain.


Congratulations, Dylan!

Headshot of Dr. Dylan Jarrett as our newest Assistant Professor.

Dr. Dylan Jarrett

We’re excited to welcome Dr. Dylan Jarrett as our newest Assistant Professor! Some of Dylan’s areas of interest include historical syntactic and semantic change in Romance, language variation and change in Spanish, and experimental pragmatics and typologies of meaning.

Congratulations Dr. Ford and welcome to the helm Dr. Smith!

Image of Dr. David Smith (left) and Dr. Katherine Ford (right) posed with ECU Pirate statue Sir Vire (middle).

Dr. David Smith (left) and Dr. Katherine Ford (right) posed with Sir Vire (middle).

On September 1st, the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures said, “Farewell!” to department chair, Katherine Ford, who has recently been appointed Associate Dean of the Honors College and director of Brinkley-Lane Scholars. This is a bittersweet, “farewell” as Dr. Ford has served the department well over the last four years and will be greatly missed.


In her stead, Dr. David Smith has been appointed as interim chair for the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures. He has graciously agreed to serve from September 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024. Dr. Smith is well-versed in the academic programming and operations of the unit and is engaging with other departmental and college leaders to learn more about additional responsibilities and support networks. We are excited to welcome Dr. Smith as interim chair and look forward to the next academic year!


Dr. Ford as next recipient of the Linda E. McMahon Distinguished Professorship in FLL

Headshot of Katherine Ford, the as next recipient of the Linda E. McMahon Distinguished Professorship in FLL.

Dr. Katherine Ford

Dean Allison S. Danell announces Dr. Katherine Ford as the next recipient of the Linda E. McMahon Distinguished Professorship in FLL. As the McMahon Distinguished Professor, Dr. Ford will undoubtedly further expand the positive impacts of the work she leads to the benefit of the ECU community and beyond, including through her continued amplification of emerging voices in the field by issuing important invitations to scholars to deliver seminars and workshops at ECU.


In Memoriam of Sharon Peterson

Memoriam of Sharon Peterson image.

Sharon Peterson

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Sharon Peterson, on June 14, 2023.

Sharon came to ECU in 2005 and was a friendly face greeting everyone that entered the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures. Generous, compassionate, and caring, Sharon was always quick with a smile. She will be missed but fondly remembered

Sharon’s obituary can be viewed at https://www.wilkersonfuneralhome.com/…/Sharon-Denise.


ECU students attend ‘Fat Ham,’ a reimagining of Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet,’ on Broadway

FLL Students Caleb Joseph (left) and Victor Aguilar (right) posed for Fat Ham in New York.

Caleb Joseph (left) and Victor Aguilar (right)

Two of our students went to New York, New York for #FatHam a re-imagining of Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet,’ on Broadway! Our students, Caleb Joseph (on the left) is a dual major in Foreign Languages and Literatures, with a concentration in German, and Victor Aguilar (on the right) is a Hispanic Studies major. Click here to read the full new article!


Undergraduate Researchers: Nina Carrillo-Corujo and Julia Kohake

Undergraduate Researchers: Nina Carrillo-Corujo (left) and Julia Kohake (right) posed with their poster at RCAW 2023.

Nina Carrillo-Corujo (left) and Julia Kohake (right)

Undergraduate students Nina Carrillo-Corujo and Julia Marie Kohake presented their research on “Digital Mapping to Enrich Study Abroad Experiences” at the 2023 Research and Creative Achievement Week (RCAW), shortly after presenting their work at an international conference, SECOLAS, in Antigua, Guatemala! These outstanding students conducted prolonged research for a digital humanities project based on a study abroad program in Buenos Aires, led by our faculty, Dr. Levi Altstaedter.


Dr. Yulia Messiven from UMass Boston presents at our Emergent Voices Series

Headshot of Dr. Yulia Messiven

Dr. Yulia Messiven

The guest speaker for our Emergent Voices Series lecture, Dr. Yulia Mevissen, presented “The Most Modern New York – Franz Kafka’s Imagination of America.” Yulia highlighted two towns from North Carolina, Germanto(w)n and Germantown, before discussing Kafka’s sources and the reflection on migratory experiences and ethnic identity within Kafka’s writing.


Students Inducted at the 2023 FLL Honor Society Ceremony

This March, we celebrated academic excellence and passion for the German language and culture as our most outstanding French, German, and Spanish students were inducted into the Delta Phi Alpha, Sigma Delta Pi, and  Pi Delta Phi, the National French Honor Society at ECU. Guest speaker and ECU alumni for the FLL Honor Society Induction Ceremony, Javier Castillo from Castillo Language Services, emphasized to us, “Your skills are perishable!” and the importance to continue practicing the skills we want to hone and perfect. 

Lisa Ellison named Undergraduate Program Director for the B.A./B.S. in Multidisciplinary Studies

Headshot of Lisa Ellison, who named Undergraduate Program Director for the B.A./B.S. in Multidisciplinary Studies.

Lisa Ellison

Lisa Ellison, teaching instructor in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, has been named Undergraduate Program Director for the B.A./B.S. in Multidisciplinary Studies. Multidisciplinary Studies are university-wide programs housed within Harriot College with faculty participating across several disciplines. Ellison is a leader in online course development. Her Latin courses are the only online, asynchronous language courses available to students at ECU.

“I am generous with my time and resources and am always happy to share my experiences,” she said.


Dr. Jones collaborates with students to bring 19th century manuscripts to life

A sample of Meginniss’ recreated artwork.

A sample of Meginniss’ recreated artwork.

Delaney Meginniss and Chris Geyer, from ECU’s Honors College, collaborated with foreign language faculty member Dr. Susanne Jones for on translation work. Delaney and Chris recreated images from a 19th-century scientific manuscript using Delaney’s iPad and Procreate to accompany translated work from the manuscript. The picture on the left is a sample of Delaney’s recreated artwork.

 


Want to make a difference and support Foreign Languages and Literatures?

Want to make a major difference and support Foreign Languages and Literatures? Contact our Director of Alumni Relations and Outreach to learn about impactful opportunities such as creating scholarships and professorships, stock or estate gifts, and more. You can contact her directly by phone or email via the contact information below.

Ashley Harzog, M.Ed.
Director of Alumni Relations and Outreach
Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences
Phone: 252-737-1753
Email: clelanda18@ecu.edu


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