Department of World Languages and Cultures

The Department of World Languages and Cultures serves the mission of the College of Letters & Sciences and the University as a whole by encouraging students to develop diverse perspectives, civic responsibility and engagement, and personal and professional integrity while preparing for careers and lifelong learning. Engaging with a world language benefits our students by improving their ability to make connections across the curriculum with other subjects. The Department offers a comprehensive curriculum in French, German, Spanish, and Spanish as a Heritage Language, as well as an array of courses in Arabic, Chinese, and Japanese. Undergraduate students may fulfill major, College, and University requirements, as well as acquire language skills for other opportunities.

Through our programs, students develop skills in listening comprehension, oral and written communication, and textual literacy, which facilitate awareness and appreciation of the contributions of world cultures to contemporary society. Our courses foster cultural sensitivity and respect through engagement with global languages, ideas, and literatures. Students further develop critical thinking skills through reflecting on the differences and similarities between the target cultures and their own.

The World Languages and Cultures Department's expertise in various languages reaches out into and serves the larger community and region. Faculty, academic staff and/or student interns provide valuable professional assistance with translation and interpreting. Service learning components in some courses help students see real-life applications of their world language skills. These activities benefit area institutions and organizations while creating ties between the university and surrounding communities.

Meet our faculty View our academic programs

Contact us

Pilar Melero
Department Chair and Professor
262-472-3173
Laurentide Hall 3110

Nicole Romero
Department Assistant
262-472-1975
Laurentide Hall 3112

UW-Whitewater offers students a wide variety of scholarships, both through the university, individual colleges, and departments. The Department of World Languages and Cultures has a number of scholarships and awards geared specifically toward our students, including:

Peter Hoff Study Abroad Scholarship
The Qatar Scholarship Program
AL Muammar Scholarship
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
Critical Languages Scholarship Program
Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship
Boren Scholarship
Aldo & Adriana Busot Scholarship

More information about these and other scholarships is available through the scholarship portal.

Explore scholarships

What is Language Placement?
If you have taken language classes previously and would like to continue taking French, German, or Spanish coursework at UWW, then you will need to take the appropriate World Language placement exam. These are available only as online, unproctored exams. Please take the test at least two weeks before you attend a SOAR, so your scores can be processed and will be available for course registration during the event.

Please contact Pilar Melero, the Chair and Coordinator of the World Languages Department if you are:

A heritage speaker/speaker of Spanish: The World Language Department Coordinator will determine whether or not you should take the UW System Spanish Placement test.
Interested in taking Arabic, Chinese, or Japanese and have prior experience with that language.

What is OPIc?
Language Testing International (LTI) provides language proficiency testing for both assessment and professional certifications. The two tests offered to UW-Whitewater students are the OPIc and the iWPT. UW-Whitewater students must take the following exams:

College of Education & Professional Studies majors seeking World Language, ESL, and Bilingual language teaching certification: OPIc & iWPT
College of Education & Professional Studies minors seeking World Language, ESL, and Bilingual language teaching certification: OPIc & iWPT
College of Letters & Sciences French, German, or Spanish majors (non-Education): OPIc only
College of Letters & Sciences French, German, or Spanish minors (non-Education): no exam required

Registration & Scheduling:

During the Testing Center's reorganization, please use these instructions to schedule an online exam with a remote proctor.

Please see how to register for the OPIc Exam.

A travel study is academic class that takes place on campus followed by an international faculty-led course work that typically runs for ten days up to four weeks. This global opportunity is ideal for students who are unable to do a traditional study abroad program or want to build on their global experiences.

Read about the Costa Rica travel study

The Department of World Languages and Cultures supports a number of student clubs and organizations, including German Club, French Club, Spanish Club and more.

Explore student organizations

Donate

Every gift, no matter the size, helps provide scholarships, workshops, study abroad and travel study experiences, and essential resources that enrich our programs and help our students shine.

Donate today to make a difference in the lives of aspiring linguists, translators, and international businesspeople.

If you're interested in starting a scholarship or making a pledge, please contact the UW-Whitewater Foundation, Inc at 262-472-1105 or through email at foundation@uww.edu.

Donate to support the Department of World Languages and Cultures at UW-Whitewater