Our Language Programs


Give to the Modern Languages & Literatures Endowed Study Abroad Scholarship

Established to encourage and assist language students to study abroad and gain life experience in the language they are studying at Grand Valley.


Why study foreign language?

Why language? Language is considered a critical part of a liberal arts education. Part of Grand Valley State University's vision and strategic priorities are to "inspire and equip students to be active life-long learners and global citizens" and to require global learning of all undergraduate majors. This does not mean that we expect all students to become fluent, but instead to have exposure to a second language and culture, which in turn leads to practical language skills. The Modern Languages and Literatures Department's language courses offer not just the chance to study a language, but to actively engage with another culture on its own terms. 

Multiple studies link the benefits of language learning to: 

  • enhanced cognitive ability and flexibility
  • delaying mental effects of aging
  • empathy and effective interpersonal skills
  • improved learning outcomes in other subjects

The following professions are seeing an increased need for language skills:

  • Business
  • Nursing
  • Engineering and other STEM fields
  • National Security and other government positions

Check out our majorsminors, and other language courses. Explore further reading on the importance of learning a foreign language.

Why study language video

Announcements

GVSU Celebrates Languages Spotlight

GVSU Celebrates Languages

Please join us! Everyone is welcome; no language experience necessary.

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Alumni Highlights

Angelita Castañon, Spanish, BA Spanish-Elementary Education, 2001 Spotlight

Angelita CastaƱon, Spanish, BA Spanish-Elementary Education, 2001

Angelita's career began as a teacher for Holland Public Schools where she taught Spanish for grades K-7, served as lead teacher for the FLES program, and authoring an articulated curriculum with a team of 6 world language instructors.

Jillian Everhart, Spanish, BA Spanish, 2005 Spotlight

Jillian Everhart, Spanish, BA Spanish, 2005

During the 3.5 years Jillian spent in GVSU, she studied abroad for a semester in Mexico and summer in India. She is trilingual (English, Spanish, and Hindi all at the native level). Jillian greatly benefited from studying abroad and going to GVSU.

Kelli Dykstra Darcia, Spanish, BA English-Language Arts & Spanish, 2012 Spotlight

Kelli Dykstra Darcia, Spanish, BA English-Language Arts & Spanish, 2012

She is thankful for the opportunity to have studied abroad in Costa Rica through the Padnos International Center because without that experience, she would not be as successful as she is today.

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Events

German Reading Circle Event Spotlight

German Reading Circle Event

German Reading Circle. Reading German Literature. Allow someone to practice their language skills in the LRC on November 6th 2023

GVSU Celebrates Languages Spotlight

GVSU Celebrates Languages

Please join us! Everyone is welcome; no language experience necessary.

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A Department of Liberal Arts and Sciences



Page last modified June 7, 2022