Enrollment soared in foreign language courses this semester, thanks to a bigger than expected freshman class and the expectation that foreign language skills will come in handy after graduation.
About 1,367 students are in the freshman class, compared to last year's class of 1,273. The high enrollment helped fuel demand for language courses because of the School of Arts and Sciences six-semester language and culture requirement.
Every language offered in the F.W. Olin Center, which houses modern languages, saw an increase in enrollment from the fall 2004 semester. Swahili increased five-fold, and 56 percent more students are taking first year Hebrew, according to department chairs.
"Typically when we see increases in enrollment in one language, we see a drop in another," French Department Coordinator Emese Soos said. "This has not happened this year." French levels 1 through 22 have seen a jump of about 40 students.
Soos said current events and career aspirations may impact which language courses students choose. "I think it's because of the political situation," she said. "A lot of students who come to Tufts are thinking international relations and international business so they see that a second or even a third language is very useful as they look ahead towards careers."
This may explain the rises in Arabic and Chinese - the languages that grew by the highest percentage after Hebrew. The largest increases in Arabic enrollment were in second year classes, an indication that more students are seriously pursuing the language.
Chinese, increasingly important in the business world, also experienced an enrollment jump. This semester there are over 100 students in five sections of first year Chinese, according to German, Russian, and Asian Languages Chair Vida Johnson.
The increased enrollment in languages proved difficult for many incoming students; some were shut out of their preferred course. "Chinese experienced the largest increase," Johnson said. "We even had students who couldn't sign in on the waiting list."
Freshman Neel Hugh was one of the students put on a waiting list for Chinese.
Johnson found a department member and a classroom and created a new section at 8 a.m. The new section has over 20 students, including Hugh. "Luckily though, they were able to put me into a special class they created," he said.
The Spanish Department also had to expand. Over 100 more students are taking Spanish this semester than last fall. The department hired two full-time and three adjunct professors and added six sections.
Freshman Casey Strong said there was no room in the Spanish 22 sections when he signed up for classes. "Now I'm in Spanish 21 which is too much of a review for me," she said.
The increased enrollment also forced language departments to look outside of Olin for classrooms. The building, built in 1991, is filled to capacity during the times language classes are offered.
"We have a space issue in the building," Spanish Department Coordinator Marta Rosso-O'Laughlin said. "There are not enough classrooms to accommodate all the classes that are in demand by students."
Rosso-O'Laughlin said the department offers courses at all times of the day. Some Spanish classes are taught in Eaton Hall and the Aidekman Arts Center.
