World Languages Advantage, Certificate

About the Program

Proficiency in a world language naturally enhances a variety of personal and professional opportunities. The World Languages Advantage (WLA) Certificate is an excellent way to develop and document such language proficiency. The Certificate signals that you embrace your global citizenship and is invaluable in the ever-expanding global marketplace of careers.

There are seven different WLA Certificate tracks to choose from.

Each WLA Certificate track consists of a five-course sequence that includes a 3XX-level capstone. In order to be awarded the Certificate, you must maintain a minimum overall GPA of 2.00 and a minimum language specific GPA of 2.66 throughout the entire course sequence. You may transfer in some language credits, upon approval, but must complete at least two courses in the sequence at Buffalo State, including one 3XX-level course. Applying outside course equivalents or credits by examination (e.g., CLEP, IB, etc.) to the certificate is subject to departmental approval and may, in some cases, require a proficiency interview.

The four main tracks in the WLA Certificate target ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) Intermediate-level proficiency, which is a baseline for workplace competence in a second language. The skills you will learn include being able to talk about your daily life; asking and answering simple questions about what is going on around you; and speaking with native language speakers who are used to speaking with non-native speakers.

Within the World Languages Advantage Certificate there are three specialized ‘languages for specific purposes’ tracks that target ACTFL Advanced-level proficiency and specific career paths: Professional French, Professional Spanish, and Spanish Court Interpreting. The skills you will learn with these include being able to discuss autobiographical topics as well as topics of community, national, or international interest; being able to recognize and use the vocabulary of specific career paths; handling conversations that arise from unexpected situations; and speaking with native language speakers, even if they are not used to speaking with non-native speakers.

Even if you do not directly enroll in these three specialized tracks, from the 202-level onward, you can expect opportunities to engage with your language of specialization in contemporary professional settings.

It is important to note that, while all the Certificate tracks target ACTFL proficiency levels, you will not be awarded ACTFL certification along with your WLA Certificate.