Language study is for everyone.
Learning languages can expand your understanding of the world and help you excel at whatever you choose to do in it. Regardless of your major, there’s a language for you! Expand your horizons, connect with communities at home and across the globe, learn about new cultures or about cultures that are part of your heritage, and develop critical career competencies.
Take advantage of the exceptional language learning opportunities at UW-Madison!
EXPAND YOUR WORLDVIEW
With approximately 50 languages offered during the academic year and 30 options in the summer, there is a language program for you! Continue studying a language in which you have some proficiency, or start learning a new language from the beginning.
Language study is for everyone! Whether you are pursuing a major or certificate that requires language courses, or taking language courses as elective credits, you can find a way to make language study work for you. UW-Madison language students pursue majors in humanities, social sciences, business, and STEM fields. Many students who choose to major in a language are double majors in another subject area.
LIVE THE LANGUAGE
Language students have opportunities to practice and develop their language skills outside of the classroom through study abroad, international internships, international learning communities, conversation tables, and more.
Unique scholarship opportunities at UW-Madison give language students access to awards that fund opportunities both domestically and abroad.
ADVANCE YOUR CAREER
Employers have identified a need for multilingual talent in many industries. Language abilities will give you a competitive edge in the internship and job search. Language students develop essential career readiness competencies such as intercultural and global competence, critical thinking, analytical skills, and teamwork. You will build these skills and more through your language study as you learn to problem-solve in culturally-responsive ways.
In addition to language proficiency, language students develop essential career readiness competencies, such as intercultural and global competence, critical thinking, analytical skills, and teamwork. You will build these skills and more through your language study as you learn to problem-solve in a culturally responsive way. Our Language Directions Specialist works with students to assist them in connecting their language abilities with their career goals.
UW-Madison language alumni apply their skills to a range of careers. They come from diverse backgrounds, have completed majors in a variety of academic fields, and have pursued careers across industries.