Multilingualism Undergraduate Badge
The ability to speak and read more than one language expands our
cultural competency and enriches our understanding of the world and
our own culture.
Program Overview
The multilingualism badge at Grand Valley provides students the opportunity to continue developing their language proficiency while exploring cultural learning.
Tracks A and B are for incoming high school students who have been awarded the Michigan Seal of Biliteracy by the Michigan Department of Education. Students without this designation may pursue this badge following Track C.
Why Study Multilingualism at Grand Valley?
- Explore your multilingual identity and continue progressing with increasing levels of proficiency.
- Engage in cultural learning on campus, in our communities, or abroad.
- Research a variety of topics on multilingualism identities, findings, and perspectives.
- Highlight marketable and desirable skills to potential employers while enhancing your education.
- Badges are an efficient way to obtain a specialization and can be completed in a year.
What is a Badge?
A digital badge, or badge, is a record of achievement that recognizes a student's completion of a coherent and meaningful academic experience. GVSU offers both credit and non-credit bearing badges as digital credentials. Credit-bearing badges include anywhere from 0.5 to 15 academic credits and may include additional noncredit criteria. Credit-bearing badges are also posted to the academic transcript.
Admissions
Admissions to complete a digital badge is open to both degree and nondegree seeking students. If you are not currently a Grand Valley student, start your application here.
For current GVSU students:
- Declare your badge via myBanner. Login to Banner Self-Service, click on Student, Student Records, Add a Certificate or Badge to your Program, Select the appropriate badge from the drop down list, and click Submit.
- Speak with the appropriate badge coordinator to ensure criteria are being met. You will be able to track your progress toward the badge in myPath as well!
- Once you are done with the requirements, apply to receive the badge via myBanner.
- Once the completion of your badge has been verified, the badge will be posted to your student record and will be viewable on your transcript. In addition, your digital badge will be posted on Credly.com.
Location & Format
Learners will complete studies at the Grand Valley Allendale Campus.
Format:- Face To Face
Coursework
Each learner pursuing the multilingualism badge must complete MLL 200 or MLL 300 and one world language course from one of the following options.
Track A (six credits) is for those speaking languages taught in the MLL department who have been awarded the Michigan Seal of Biliteracy. Coursework:
- An approved 300-level language/culture/literature course in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, or Spanish.
Track B (six-seven credits) is for those speaking languages NOT taught in the MLL department who have been awarded the Michigan Seal of Biliteracy. Coursework:
- One 100-level course in a language taught in the MLL department.
Track C (six credits) is for those speaking languages taught in the MLL department but without the biliteracy seal. These students must provide documentation of intermediate high proficiency on a commercially produced comprehensive language exam. Coursework:
- An approved 300-level language/culture/literature course in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, or Spanish.
Career Options
Multilingualism is a marketable skill and an advantage in any field. Examples include business, education, government, international relations, health professions, social work, criminal justice, engineering, management, nonprofit and public administration, communications, and legal studies.
Helpful Links
For More Information
Modern Languages and Literatures
mygril-yaoyao.com/mll
Mackinac Hall
B-2-243
(616) 331-3203