
Proficiency in another language opens doors to opportunities in many professional fields. Students acquire knowledge and skills in global citizenship, diversity, and critical thinking with local and worldwide relevance. We also offer study-abroad opportunities to enhance the learning experience.
More than 300 million people speak French on all five continents. It is also the most popular second language after English, and the third-most widely spoken language in the United States. French majors and minors learn not only to communicate correctly and effectively in French, but also to understand and appreciate the diverse cultural perspectives and practices of French-speaking populations. In addition to helping students select classes, program faculty advise and mentor those applying to study abroad programs, internships, jobs, and graduate school.
In our changing global environment, communication is the key to understanding other peoples and cultures. More than 220 million people speak German worldwide and the German program prepares its students to thrive as global citizens in a diverse world. Students acquire language proficiency and cultural competence that provide insight into the culture, literature, and history of German-speaking countries and enables them to travel, study, and work in areas where the target language is used.
We are the only public university in Minnesota offering a major in Scandinavian Studies. The Scandinavian Studies Program offers students an opportunity to combine Norwegian or Swedish languages with study of the greater Nordic cultural region. It provides students with a familiarity of Scandinavian heritage and history. And it prepares students to live and work in any of the Scandinavian countries—Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland.
Close to 500 million people speak Spanish and 20 countries have it as their official language. Spanish is the second-most spoken language in the U.S. (41 million Spanish speakers), giving you a local and a global advantage when it comes to job and business opportunities, travel, and life experiences.
We offer one-year courses in beginning Mandarin Chinese, the language with the largest number of native speakers in the world.
These courses will help you develop skills in Mandarin Chinese to communicate across ethnic, cultural, ideological and national boundaries and to develop an understanding of Chinese interpersonal behavioral culture and related thought patterns.
We offer courses in elementary and intermediate Dakota.
The elementary courses will help you develop basic skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in the Dakota language. The intermediate courses will help students with grammar review, oral practice, written composition, and development of reading and listening skills within a cultural context.
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Language students are urged to acquire experience in the area in which their language is spoken, either through our programs or through study on their own initiative.
Information on various student scholarships, language clubs/organizations, tutoring, study abroad, frequently asked questions, and more.
Have you already taken some language courses? Wondering what courses to register for? Take our placment exam to determine what classes you should register for.
The Academic Advising Office offers academic advising to all students who are pursuing a major or minor within the College of Arts & Humanities.
A second language is an invaluable asset in business, healthcare, government, research, teaching, publishing, translation/interpretation, and in the performing arts. Understanding a language and the cultures in which it is spoken is critical to the preservation and growth of our cultural, economic, and political ties with other countries.
09:00 AM - Earley Center for Performing Arts Lobby
08:00 AM - Iowa State University
“During my time... I've had many wonderful professors who have provided lessons that extend far beyond the reach of a classroom..."
"...Studying abroad is an amazing experience and I would highly recommend it to anyone else who is interested!”
"...dedicated, intelligent professors and a well-rounded outlook that will help students regardless of their career goals..."
"...the World Languages & Cultures Department strives to create an environment for learning about a language and culture...”
Links to various student resources for World Languages & Cultures students.
Contact the World Languages & Cultures Department to learn more about our department, programs, and other opportunities.