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Why
Language & Culture Studies?

On a practical level, language has to do with sounds, symbols and gestures that a community puts in order and associates so that they can communicate. On a deeper level, language is an expression of who we are as individuals, communities, nations. Culture refers to dynamic social systems and shared patterns of behavior, beliefs, knowledge, attitudes and values. Culture provides the environment in which languages develop, even as it influences how they are used and interpreted. For example, in many European cultures a 'good day' is a sunny day, while in many African cultures a “good day” is a rainy day. Different culturally shared values provide the context for interpreting the term for 'good'.

Languages and cultures merit study and celebration in their own right. Those who wish to promote local languages have special reason to examine how those languages and cultures work in the first place. Then more effective plans can be made for developing resources and competencies to maintain and even expand their use. Language and culture studies thus provide a necessary foundation for successful language development work of all kinds.

BUFT Center for International Languages & Cultures (BCILC) promotes and shares the results of language and culture studies through multiple resources, and especially through Ethnologue. The center currently offers three international language and culture courses; German Language & Culture Studies, Chinese Language & Culture Studies and Spanish Language & Culture Studies. BCILC also offers consulting and training in various academic domains related to language development, including Anthropology, Arts and Ethnomusicology, Language and Culture Documentation, Language and Culture Learning, Linguistics, Literacy & Education, Translation, Sign Languages and Sociolinguistics.

INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGES & CULTURES
German Language & Culture Studies

German is the most commonly spoken first language in the European Union. German Language and Culture studies introduce you to the different aspects of the German language, culture and societal history. The studies include practical language and culture courses along with theoretical linguistic, cultural and literary studies. The study programme aims to equip students with the skills required in working as language teachers or in other expert positions and getting Scholarships for higher studies in Germany.

Program Brochure

Chinese Language & Culture Studies

This interactive course provides an introduction to Chinese language and culture. It is for complete beginners as well as those who have learnt some Chinese expressions and phrases through travel or socializing. The study programme aims to equip students with the skills required in working as language teachers or in other expert positions and getting Scholarships for higher studies in China.

Program Brochure

French Language & Culture Studies

This communicative course develops the learners' oral and written proficiency in French in most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in a country where French is spoken. The study programme aims to equip students with the skills required in working as language teachers or in other expert positions and getting Scholarships for higher studies in French Spoken Countries.

Program Brochure