About the Department



The Languages Department currently offers instruction in nine languages. These include three romance languages—Spanish, French, and Portuguese—that account for hundreds of millions of native-speakers in the Americas and Africa as well as Europe. The most-spoken language on the planet, Mandarin Chinese, is the focus of a growing program with strong student interest. Enrollments continue to grow in Russian and German, and dedicated groups of students choose instruction in Hebrew, ancient Greek, and Latin. In any language we offer, students may take courses toward the language requirement, or toward a minor or certificate program. Majors are available in French, German, Russian Studies, and Spanish. Languages faculty also offer courses in comparative literature, linguistics, film studies, and language pedagogy, producing a total range of innovative course topics such as Francophone African Cinema, the Faust Myth in German Literature and Film, Heroes of Spain from the 12th to the 21st Centuries, and Mexican Theater, Ritual, and Performance.

Language Placement Test

TU utilizes an online placement exam as one of three criteria to help ensure that students begin studying languages at a course level that matches their level of proficiency and achievement. Students whose language background allows them to be placed in a course beyond the first-semester level may also receive credit for the previous course.

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Use your TU student ID Number (or SSN if you don't know your TU ID number) as login.

Anastasia Maltseva

Anastasia Maltseva, Fulbright Scholar: Teaching My Russian Culture

"Teaching my own culture and language is more rewarding than anything I've done before. I feel like the students and I can exchange such a wealth of knowledge, of thoughts, of ideas.

As an ever-enterprising and committed English instructor in Tomsk, Russia, Anastasia Maltseva knew that teaching a foreign language without having visited its native speaking country was a professional and personal holdback. And the Fulbright scholar program was the perfect opportunity to set the record straight.

After going through a rigorous competition, Maltseva was tapped by the University of Tulsa to teach Beginning Russian and lead Russian Club activities in 2011-2012 under the guidance of Professor Elena Doshlygina. As part educator and part cultural ambassador, Maltseva also regularly makes presentations about her native Siberia to introduce local students to the everyday life, economic potential, and the status of research & education in Russia's lesser known Asian regions.

"Teaching my own culture and language is more rewarding than anything I've done before. I feel like the students and I can exchange such a wealth of knowledge, of thoughts, of ideas." Maltseva comments on her experience at TU. "For example, last week we had a most interesting Russian cultural meeting where we compared the 'American dream' with the 'Russian dream' and juxtaposed them with the students' personal aspirations."

She adds about what enamors her most with teaching: "I love the sparks of creative energy that sputter from the students! Once they take off, there is no stopping them."

Back in Russia, Maltseva taught at the prestigious National Research Tomsk Polytechnical University, one of country's top 10 institutions for innovation grants. She worked with both full-time and non-traditional students, ranging from 18 to 60 in age. In 2005-2009, Maltseva taught English to middle school students at her own alma mater and managed enrollments at an international language camp.

Anastasia is originally from Barnaul, where she completed a B.A. in Philology and Translating, followed by a Master's degree in English (as a Foreign Language). She was inspired to audition for a Fulbright position after talking to visiting Americans and Russian colleagues who had gone on successful year-long teaching trips to the United States.

Upon receiving her official Fulbright invitation letter, Anastasia humored her coworkers with a skit where she donned a cowboy hat, spurred boots, and worn jeans while clutching a dummy pistol – to set off for the American West "in style."

Language Placement Policy

Study Abroad  

All language students are encouraged to participate in a study abroad program. The Center for Global Education staff provides assistance in arranging an academic term abroad.