Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I declare a major or minor in a world language?

  • The first step in declaring a major or minor in a world language is to speak with a language advisor who can be found on our Advisors page. An advisor will give you the necessary paperwork and a roadmap of required classes.

• How can I make sure my paperwork gets through?

  • To make sure that your forms are received and successfully processed and filed, take your forms to the appropriate office to get the required signatures.
 The first signature/approval you need to get is from your major/minor advisor. (If you are declaring a major in Spanish, visit one of our Spanish advisors). Next, bring the declaration form and the required documentation (transcripts, major forms, …) to get approval from the Department Chair at Clark Hall 421. After your paperwork is processed by the Department of World Languages and Literatures, take it to the College of Humanities and the Arts (located in Washington Square Hall Room 120).

• Can I take a world language class even though I am not majoring or minoring in a language?

  • Yes, you can take any foreign language class you like, provided you have the necessary skill level. If in doubt, you can consult an advisor and take a placement test. Students are able to waive the unit cap under certain circumstances. Please contact the advisor for more information on this.

• How do I add / change my world language major / minor?

  • For Students with Fewer than 90 units

    1. Obtain an Addition/Change of Major or Minor Form (with fewer than 90 units) either by downloading the form here [pdf] or at Clark Hall 421.
    2. Fill up the form, talk to your assigned advisor, and get the advisor's approval.
    3. Bring the form and a copy of unofficial transcript to Clark Hall 421 to be processed and filed.
    4. You will receive an email/phone call notifying the document(s) is ready to be picked up approximately within two weeks.
    5. Bring the form to the Humanities and Arts Student Success Center at Clark Hall 244 to have the Director sign.
    6. Send the signed form to the Academic Advising and Retention Services (AARS) in the Student Services Center.
    7. The AARS will then either approve or reject the proposal.

    For Students with 90 Units or More

    1. Obtain an Addition/Change of Major or Minor Form (with 90 units or more) either by downloading the form here [pdf] or at Clark Hall 421.
    2. Fill up the form, talk to your assigned advisor, and get the advisor's signature of approval.
    3. Bring the following documents to Clark Hall 421:
       1. Addition/Change of Major or Minor Form signed by advisor
       2. Current Major/Minor Form
       3. Requested Major/Minor Form
       4. Personal Statement (state your reasons of adding/changing the major/minor)
       5. Unofficial Transcript
    4. You will receive an email/phone call when the form has been signed by the Department Chair and it is ready to be picked up.
    5. Bring the form to the Humanities and Arts Student Success Center at Clark Hall 244 to have the Director sign.
    6. Send the signed form to the Academic Advising and Retention Services (AARS) in the Student Services Center.
    7. The AARS will then either approve or reject the proposal.
• Where can I find the schedule for classes offered this semester?

  • The schedule of classes can be found on the Class Schedules website.

• How do I speak with an advisor?

  • A list of advisors can be found on our Advisors page or in our department office at Clark Hall 421. You can either drop into their office hours or e-mail them to set up an appointment to meet.

• Where can I find my professor’s office hours?

  • A list of faculty office hours can be found on our Faculty and Staff page or in our department office at Clark Hall 421.

    Office hours can also be found on the class syllabus, canvas and faculty pages.

• When and how am I getting my scholarship award money?

  • Scholarships recipients info are sent to the Financial Aid office. They will apply it to any outstanding university debts you have and they will reimburse or give you back whatever is left. If you haven’t received your scholarship award, check with the Financial Aid office.

• How many units and classes are required for a language minor? Do I still have to take the same number of classes even though I got some classes waived?

  • You can find general information for the program you are interested on our website under the "Programs" tab. Specific questions about your situation are best answered by the appropriate major or minor advisor. You can find advisors for every program on our Advisors page.

• Is there any tutoring available for the foreign languages?

  • Yes, there are currently tutoring sessions available through Peer Connections for SPAN 1A and SPAN 1B. If you have any questions regarding tutoring, please contact http://peerconnections.sjsu.edu/tutoring/.

• Are there any World Language clubs and Honor Societies?
  • 1. El Círculo Hispánico: for more information, like the club on Facebook or contact the faculty advisor, Ruby Ramirez, at ruby.ramirez@sjsu.edu
    2. Le Cercle Français: for more information, like the club on Facebook ;or emailcerclefrancaissjsu@gmail.com
    3. Phi Sigma Iota: for more information on the SJSU chapter, contact the faculty advisor, Ruby Ramirez, at ruby.ramirez@sjsu.edu
• If you are a language major, are you required to study abroad?

  • No, but we encourage you to do so — studying abroad is a rewarding experience that will improve your language skills immensely and give you new insights into the world around you.

• What languages are taught at SJSU?
  • 1. Chinese
    2. Filipino/Tagalog
    3. French
    4. German
    5. Hebrew
    6. Italian
    7. Japanese
    8. Portuguese
    9. Spanish
    10. Vietnamese

    Students can currently earn:

    • B.A. degrees in Chinese, French, Japanese, and Spanish
    • Minor degrees in Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin American Studies, Portuguese, and Spanish
    • Minors for International Business

    See our Programs page for more information.

• I am thinking of getting a Master’s in Spanish. Where can I get more information?

  • For more information about the MA program, please contact the Spanish MA advisor, Dr. Damian Bacich.

    Damian Bacich
    Ph.D., UCLA
    Professor; Department Chair; Spanish Advisor
    408-924-4608
    damian.bacich@sjsu.edu
    Clark Hall 421D

• Where can I get more information on a language?

  • The best source for more information regarding any of our language programs is the coordinator or advisor of that language.

    Take a look at the list below:

    Chinese

    Chunhui Peng 
    Ph.D., UC San Diego
    Associate Professor; Head of Chinese Section; Asian Studies and Chinese Advisor
    408-924-4615
    chunhui.peng@sjsu.edu
    Clark Hall 418M

    Foreign Language Education

    Anne Jensen
    M.A., UNI - Angers, France
    Lecturer
    408-924-4628
    anne.jensen@sjsu.edu
    Clark Hall 408P

    French

    Jean-Luc Desalvo
    Ph.D., University of Virginia
    Professor; French Coordinator and Advisor
    408-924-4620
    jean-luc.desalvo@sjsu.edu
    Clark Hall 435

    German

    Larissa Chiriaeva
    Ph.D., Heidelberg University
    Lecturer; German Coordinator and Advisor
    408-924-4591
    larissa.chiriaeva@sjsu.edu
    Clark Hall 410N

    Italian

    Michele Santamaria
    Ph.D., University of Macerata
    Lecturer; Italian Advisor
    408-924-4604
    michele.santamaria@sjsu.edu
    Clark Hall 427

    Japanese

    Yasue Yanai
    Ph.D., Georgetown University
    Professor; Asian Languages Coordinator and Japanese Advisor
    408-924-4063
    yasue.yanai@sjsu.edu
    Clark Hall 410L

    Portuguese

    Duarte Pinheiro
    Ph.D., University Fernando Pesso, Porto
    Lecturer; Portuguese Advisor
    408-924-4022
    duarte.pinheiro@sjsu.edu
    Clark Hall 412J

    Spanish (Undergraduate)

    Ruby Ramírez
    Ph.D., UC Riverside
    Assistant Professor; Iberian Language Program Coordinator; Spanish Advisor
    408-924-4612
    ruby.ramirez@sjsu.edu
    Clark Hall 412R

    Spanish (Graduate)

    Vanessa Fernandez 
    Ph.D., UCLA
    Assistant Professor; Spanish M.A. Coordinator and Advisor 
    408-924-4610
    vanessa.fernandez@sjsu.edu
    Clark Hall 408M

    If you have any other questions, please email world-languages@sjsu.edu. 

• I have questions regarding the teaching credential, where do I start?

  • The coordinator and advisor for the single subject credential in a world language is Prof. Anne Jensen. She can be reached via e-mail at anne.jensen@sjsu.edu or in her office CL 408P, contact number is (408)924-4628.

• What is a placement test and how can I take it?

  • A placement test can be taken in Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, and Vietnamese. These tests are used to assist advisors in determining what level course students should enroll in at their ability level.

    The placement tests are computer based and can be taken during regular business hours Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:00AM - 2:00PM at the Carmen Sigler Media Center in CL 208.

    To contact the Carmen Sigler Media Center, please visit our Media Center page.

• What is a proficiency test and how can I take it?

  • Language advisors use proficiency tests to determine if a student is competent enough in a language to satisfy a language requirement. The proficiency exam is more thorough than the placement test and may include written or oral components. Proficiency tests can be scheduled by appointment with a language advisor.

    Chinese

    Chunhui Peng 
    Ph.D., UC San Diego
    Associate Professor; Head of Chinese Section; Asian Studies and Chinese Advisor
    408-924-4615
    chunhui.peng@sjsu.edu
    Clark Hall 418M

    Foreign Language Education

    Anne Jensen
    M.A., UNI - Angers, France
    Lecturer
    408-924-4628
    anne.jensen@sjsu.edu
    Clark Hall 408P

    French

    Jean-Luc Desalvo
    Ph.D., University of Virginia
    Professor; French Coordinator and Advisor
    408-924-4620
    jean-luc.desalvo@sjsu.edu
    Clark Hall 435

    German

    Larissa Chiriaeva
    Ph.D., Heidelberg University
    Lecturer; German Coordinator and Advisor
    408-924-4591
    larissa.chiriaeva@sjsu.edu
    Clark Hall 410N

    Italian

    Michele Santamaria
    Ph.D., University of Macerata
    Lecturer; Italian Advisor
    408-924-4604
    michele.santamaria@sjsu.edu
    Clark Hall 427

    Japanese

    Yasue Yanai
    Ph.D., Georgetown University
    Professor; Asian Languages Coordinator and Japanese Advisor
    408-924-4063
    yasue.yanai@sjsu.edu
    Clark Hall 410L

    Portuguese

    Duarte Pinheiro
    Ph.D., University Fernando Pesso, Porto
    Lecturer; Portuguese Advisor
    408-924-4022
    duarte.pinheiro@sjsu.edu
    Clark Hall 412J

    Spanish (Undergraduate)

    Ruby Ramírez
    Ph.D., UC Riverside
    Assistant Professor; Iberian Language Program Coordinator; Spanish Advisor
    408-924-4612
    ruby.ramirez@sjsu.edu
    Clark Hall 412R

    Spanish (Graduate)

    Vanessa Fernandez 
    Ph.D., UCLA
    Assistant Professor; Spanish M.A. Coordinator and Advisor 
    408-924-4610
    vanessa.fernandez@sjsu.edu
    Clark Hall 408M

    If you have any other questions, please email world-languages@sjsu.edu.