Intensive study of a language is an integral part of a well-rounded liberal arts education. In addition to broadening your understanding of other cultures, it allows you to develop your intellectual and creative abilities and find your place as a global citizen in an increasingly interconnected world. Studying languages provides cognitive benefits as well—sharpening problem solving abilities, developing critical thinking and writing skills and expanding the vocabulary.
Graduates have gone on to obtain Fulbrights, attend medical and law school, teach English in Spain, France and China, as well as teach in primary and secondary schools, and work for national and international companies where they use their second language skills.
Jeremy Paden, associate professor of Spanish
Knowledge of a second language is a valuable asset. Language fluency helps students qualify for many positions, particularly when it is combined with other marketable skills in business, economics, computer science or political science.
At Transylvania, foreign language students take courses in conversation, composition, cultural history, contemporary society, literature and film. Many students participate in study abroad programs to improve language skills and experience another culture.
Transylvania offers instruction in ancient Greek, Chinese, French, German, Latin and Spanish. Students can major or minor in classics, French, German studies and Spanish. Chinese language currently has a minor program, but students can self-design a Chinese major.
Where Our Graduates Have Worked
Teaching assistant in France, Ministre de l’Education Française
Researcher, U.S. State Department
Program director, AmeriCorps
Marketing manager, Affinion Group
Vice president for North America, Leyhausen International Services
Courses of Special Interest
Introduction to Modern Chinese Literature
Contemporary Spanish-American Prose Fiction
The Francophone World and Its Literature
Afro-Hispanic Literature
Transylvania’s Tour de France
The Hispanic Experience in the U.S.
Chinese Cinema
The Wall Falls
Roman Spain
Medieval Meets Modern in France
Drau Ben vor der Tür
The Other-Worldly: An Introduction to Chinese Culture
Where Our Graduates Have Studied
Emory University
Georgetown University
Indiana University
New York University
Vanderbilt University
Semester Study Abroad Opportunities
Argentina
Australia
China
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Ecuador
France
Germany
Morocco
New Zealand
Peru
South Korea
Sweden
These GlobalTransy programs have at least two courses related to the major.
Interested in studying abroad for a summer? Take a look at our summer study abroad opportunities.
Contacts
FRENCH
Brian Arganbright, Associate Professor of French
(859) 233-8782
Transylvania University
300 North Broadway
Lexington, KY 40508 USA
SPANISH
Martha Ojeda, Program Director; Professor of Spanish and French
(859) 281-3553
Transylvania University
300 North Broadway
Lexington, KY 40508 USA
Address:
Transylvania University
300 North Broadway
Lexington, KY 40508-1797
Chinese Minor
Qian Gao, Associate Professor of Chinese Language and Culture
(859) 233-8283
Carpenter Academic Center 302A
Transylvania University
300 North Broadway
Lexington, KY 40508-1797