By studying a language at the College of Arts and Sciences, you’ll discover a new world of people, ideas and opportunities. Our language departments offer more than 30 languages — including Italian, Arabic and American Sign Language — with learning opportunities including majors, minors and work- or study-abroad programs.
It’s never too late to start learning or build on what you know. If you took a high school language class or have practiced on language learning apps for months, you have already begun to create a foundation for further study.
Center for Languages, Literatures and Cultures
The Center for Languages, Literatures and Cultures (CLLC) brings students together with scholars and experts from across the university and around the world to increase our understanding of diverse cultures, expand our competence in world languages and investigate the impact and creative potential of established and emerging media technologies.
Our Language Departments
- American Sign Language Program
- Department of Classics
- Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures
- Department of French and Italian
- Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures
- Department of Near Eastern and South Asian Languages and Cultures
- Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures
- Department of Spanish and Portuguese
Center for Languages, Literatures and Cultures
The Center for Languages, Literatures and Cultures (CLLC) brings students together with scholars and experts from across the university and around the world to increase our understanding of diverse cultures, expand our competence in world languages and investigate the impact and creative potential of established and emerging media technologies.
Our Language Departments
- American Sign Language Program
- Department of Classics
- Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures
- Department of French and Italian
- Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures
- Department of Near Eastern and South Asian Languages and Cultures
- Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures
- Department of Spanish and Portuguese
Why Study a Language?
Learning a new language builds intercultural competence in ways that experiences in your own language cannot. Through full-immersion language study you learn to tolerate the ambiguity resulting from not understanding every word or not being able to express yourself completely. Immersing yourself in new environments teaches you how to analyze context and messages and adapt to diverse behaviors and expectations.
By immersing yourself in another language and culture, you will get an insider’s perspective of another world and develop a new view of your own. As you expand your understanding of your own culture(s) you will broaden your personal horizons, thus preparing you to contribute more to your job and your community.
All 21st-century professions and careers are multicultural and global, as demographics diversify and there is increasing need for those who can communicate in different languages and understand other cultures. In the World Languages Skills and Competencies Workshop, experts in world language learning and career development assist students in crafting their resumes and interviewing skills to highlight students’ global profile.
Why Study a Language?
Learning a new language builds intercultural competence in ways that experiences in your own language cannot. Through full-immersion language study you learn to tolerate the ambiguity resulting from not understanding every word or not being able to express yourself completely. Immersing yourself in new environments teaches you how to analyze context and messages and adapt to diverse behaviors and expectations.
By immersing yourself in another language and culture, you will get an insider’s perspective of another world and develop a new view of your own. As you expand your understanding of your own culture(s) you will broaden your personal horizons, thus preparing you to contribute more to your job and your community.
All 21st-century professions and careers are multicultural and global, as demographics diversify and there is increasing need for those who can communicate in different languages and understand other cultures. In the World Languages Skills and Competencies Workshop, experts in world language learning and career development assist students in crafting their resumes and interviewing skills to highlight students’ global profile.
Expand Your World
Dani Blumenfeld, a marketing student in the Fisher College of Business who is minoring in German, took over as co-president of the German Club, which enhanced her college experience and helps her connect with her heritage.
Katie Kiesel, a Korean and international studies double-major, spent her summer studying abroad in South Korea, where she immersed herself in Korean culture and honed her language skills.
Influenced by his love of Francophone culture and knack for analytics, Ross Guthery combined majors in French and economics to forge his own educational journey, and he is now a U.S. Fulbright student pursuing a master’s in data science at the ESSEC Business School in Paris.
Elena Foulis, a senior lecturer in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, fosters meaningful connections between central Ohio’s Latinx community and students like social work student Stefania Torres-Grisales, whose experience with Foulis has inspired her to continue serving her community.
Hear from our language students
Students talk about the importance of studying a language and how it allows them expand their worldview, explore new career options, make connections on campus and abroad, and engage in enriching experiences.
Prepare for a modern career
Speaking more than one language has become an essential skill in our increasingly interconnected world. At the College of Arts and Sciences, enhance your learning experience and unlock a world of possibilities by pairing your field of study with a language. A strong background in language and culture can complement a career in everything from visual and performing arts to social and behavioral sciences to natural and mathematical sciences.
World language graduates land job opportunities across a broad spectrum of industries:
Business, industry and commerce | Education | Law | Science, technology, engineering, mathematics| Social services | Travel | Government | Media