About the Foreign Language Program

The Rice University Foreign Language Program offers non-credit classes in Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, and Russian. The small group classes, averaging ten students per class, are designed primarily to develop conversational skills. (See course descriptions.) Progressive levels of each language are offered in evening classes throughout the year. Additional offerings include daytime French classes at the beginning and advanced levels and a summer daytime intensive session for beginners in Spanish and French. On-site corporate programs are also available. The program attracts a variety of participants, including business people, international visitors, world travelers, young adults and retirees. The program is designed for adults. Persons applying for these courses must have graduated from secondary school.

Foreign Language Program instructors are experienced teachers with advanced degrees. The program incorporates the most recent advances in second language methodology in its design. Newspaper and magazine selections and videotapes that deal with cultural issues or current events are frequently employed to supplement regularly assigned materials.

Weekday Evening Program

Four sessions of evening classes, including all languages and proficiencies, are offered yearly. Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall sessions are eight weeks long with three hours of class per week. Classes meet either Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:45-7:15 p.m. or 7:30-9:00 p.m. on the Rice campus. (See the foreign language program calendar and evening class schedule.)

Placement of non-beginning students is determined by testing and/or interview. Spanish and French testing dates are listed in the program calendar. Students of other languages will be contacted by their teachers for an interview to determine placement. No testing is necessary for beginner-level students.

Weekday Afternoon Program
(French only)

Four sessions of afternoon classes in beginning and advanced levels of Spanish and French are offered yearly. Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall sessions are eight weeks long with three hours of class per week. Classes meet Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:00-2:30 p.m. Classes may also be offered 2:45-4:15 p.m. (See the foreign language program calendar and afternoon class schedule.)

Placement of non-beginning students is determined by testing and/or interview. Spanish and French testing dates are listed in the program calendar. No testing is necessary for beginner-level students.

Summer Daytime Intensive Classes
(Beginning Spanish and French)

Two-week intensive courses for beginners are offered in Spanish and French, usually in June. These classes are held three hours per weekday. Students should plan on at least three hours of homework per class. No placement test is required. (See program calendar and class schedule.)

Corporate Programs

On-site classes are available in each of the eight foreign languages. Courses can be tailored to meet the needs of Houston businesses. Classes emphasize speaking skills and are offered at beginning, intermediate or advanced levels of proficiency. Call 713-348-4019 for more information.