Dr. Jose Osorio, Ph.D, Professor and Chairperson
Humanities Building - Room H217 | Telephone: (718) 631-6259 | Fax: (718) 631-6261
Email: JOsorio@qcc.cuny.edu

Welcome to the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures of Queensborough Community College, CUNY. We invite you to visit our office when you are on campus.

• Main Office: Room H217, Mondays to Fridays, 9:00 to 5:00pm
• College Assistant: Ms. Jenny Rivera Artesona, Room H217
• Faculty Office Hours: H217 and online
• Evening Supervisors: H217; EMERGENCY: Prof. Luz Marina Ruiz, Wed 5:00-6:00pm 
• Faculty Conference Room: H221, Faculty Conference Room: H213A
• Language Laboratory: (Rooms H240, H241) (Lab Hours)
• CUNY Council on World Language Study (CCWLS) Reps 2024-2025: Dr. Carolina Chaves O'Flynn
• Tech Intern: (Rooms H240, H241): Hashmaoun Hisham

Mission

The Department of Modern Languages and Cultures provides transformational educational experiences that encourage student success, supports faculty in their professional development as teachers and scholars, and works collaboratively with the campus community in support of the college’s mission and goals.

Departmental goals

To develop and deliver rigorous courses that educate students to become communicatively competent and informed global citizens with proficiency in languages and critical insights into world cultures for a productive role in our global community.

To develop and deliver rigorous courses specifically designed for students who are members of heritage language communities to expand their linguistic and cultural knowledge and to develop a critical understanding of the communities of which they are a part.

To encourage and support faculty as teachers, scholars, and members of an academic community that provides service to advance the goals of the institution. The department’s faculty pursue research in teaching pedagogy, culture, film, language, and literature that contributes to a greater understanding of the human experience around the globe

To collaborate with Academic Affairs, other academic departments, and the campus community in support of academic initiatives for student success and the college mission and goals.

To develop and implement processes and practices that assess for student learning and in support of the college’s mission and goals

La Alpujarra website

Introducing Our International Studies Concentration

DID YOU KNOW THAT...

If you are a Liberal Arts student and take three Modern Languages and Cultures courses plus one culture course, this path can lead you to the rewarding

INTERNATIONAL STUDIES CONCENTRATION

AND, BY THE WAY...

If you are majoring in Business, STEM, Nursing or Fine Arts, you can choose to take Modern Languages and Cultures classes as Flexible Core courses to fulfill your degree requirement.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO LEARN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE?

EXPAND your career options! As a teacher, business person, health sciences professional, law enforcement professional, artist, engineer or research scientist -whatever your desired career-your resume is more valuable if you have knowledge of a foreign language!

EXPLORE other cultures! Increase your cultural knowledge and awareness!

BOLSTER your multi-tasking ability! Learning the four skills of listening, speaking reading and writing helps you integrate all your talents and gain self-confidence!

BOOST your cognitive skills! Studying language helps you do better in your other classes!

The Department of Modern Languages and Cultures of QCC offers a variety of languages to choose from: ARABIC, CHINESE, FRENCH, ITALIAN and SPANISH. For more information, please come visit us in the Humanities building, room H217, or call us at: (718) 631-6259. You can also consult with your academic advisor.

Catch up or get ahead on classes this Winter 2026

Please be aware this is course is for students who cannot speak, read, or write in spanish. Please follow this link for placement. Spanish Placement Survey

New Scholarship available for students taking Elementary Chinese I and/or Elementary Chinese II

Chai Ho and F.Y.Chiu Scholarship

Award: $750

To encourage and reward full-time students at Queensborough Community College to enroll in Elementary Chinese language courses. 

The Chai Ho and F.Y. Chiu Scholarship will start accepting applications!

The Chai Ho and F.Y.Chiu Scholarship will award a maximum of five scholarships annually to cover the tuition cost of either Elementary Chinese I or Elementary Chinese II language courses at QCC.

For more information, please contact Professor Wei Lai at:  wlai@qcc.cuny.edu