Why Major in a Language?

Studying a language gives you the power to communicate in French, Italian, Portuguese, or Spanish and to fully participate in a distinctive cultural world. Our programs are designed to build your understanding of the structure of language itself while drawing connections among societies across the globe. Gaining oral and written fluency deepens mental flexibility and builds social skills in transformative ways as well. That is why language study prepares you for professions that require creativity, a deep awareness of multiple perspectives and excellent communication skills. 

Majors and minors become adept at interpretation and analysis, deepen emotional and artistic sensitivity, gain primary source and information literacy skills through guided research, engage in problem-solving in group discussions, and acquire knowledge of a rich range of examples of human ingenuity. Graduate students are mentored in the advanced study of linguistics, literature and culture while they benefit from rigorous training in foreign language pedagogy in an active and supportive scholarly community.