Phi Sigma Iota

About the Society

Phi Sigma Iota is a foreign language national honor society that recognizes outstanding accomplishments in the study or teaching of any of the academic fields related to foreign language, literature, or culture. These fields include not only modern foreign languages, but also classics, linguistics, philology, comparative literature, bilingual education, second language acquisition, and other interdisciplinary programs with a significant foreign language component.

Membership in Phi Sigma Iota offers eligible students the opportunity to join a community of dedicated language students at Cal Poly, take advantage of scholarship programs, and provides the opportunity to be published in the Society’s magazine The Forum.

There are approximately 180 chapters of Phi Sigma Iota at institutions of higher learning in the US. Cal Poly’s Chi Sigma Chapter was founded by a dedicated group of language students in 2022 and is Cal Poly's first foreign language honors society.

Membership

Chi Sigma Chapter of Phi Sigma Iota recognizes two forms of membership, Allophone and Phoneme. All members must meet the following academic requirements

Maintain a 3.0 GPA
Pursue of studies in a foreign language, linguistics, or language acquisition (TESOL or other certifications)

Allophone

Allophones are members of the Chi Sigma Chapter and have a lifetime membership with PSI. There is a one-time membership fee and an initiation ceremony for the honor society. The membership fee is $50 and includes national PSI and local Chi Sigma dues.

See the Phi Sigma Iota website for more information: Phi Sigma Iota

Allophone applicants must meet the following criteria:

Major/minor in a qualifying area
Completion of a 300-level course in a qualifying area
Degree progress of 37.5%
Maintain a 3.0 GPA

Phoneme

Phonemes are members of the Chi Sigma Chapter as part of a near-peer mentor program. Phonemes are partnered with an Allophone and can attend the general chapter meetings but are not yet eligible for membership with the national Phi Sigma Iota organization.

Phonemes must meet the following criteria: