Language Majors (College of Letters & Science)
Related Majors with a Language Component
Undergraduate Certificates with a Required or Optional Language Component
What is it Like to Major in a Language?
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In an undergraduate language major, you can expect to...
- Develop proficiency in the language of your major, including the ability to use the language appropriately in various contexts
- Gain an understanding of the societies, histories, and major cultural contributions of the region or regions in which your language in spoken
- Learn to critically analyze literary and other texts written in the language of your major
- Develop the ability to see the world and yourself through the lens of another language and culture
- Build strong communication and analytical skills, including the ability to:
- Synthesize and think critically about ideas in relation to their particular historical and cultural contexts
- Formulate questions and develop hypotheses
- Understand and apply relevant theories to a problem
- Create and communicate meaningful, coherent arguments based on evidence
- Apply this knowledge and set of skills in a variety of professional settings after graduation
If you major in a language at UW-Madison, you'll likely...
- Form a strong community with faculty, instructors, and other students
- Meet and interact with speakers of the language, both in Madison and around the world
- Have the opportunity to study abroad in a country in which the language of your major is spoken
- Network with alumni who work in a wide range of career areas and geographic locations
- In addition to a language major, you might also consider a certificate with a language component, which may have either a linguistic or area and culture studies focus