Why Study a Foreign Language at MC?
Majoring or Minoring in a foreign language will help you become a better communicator and citizen of an increasingly global world. From understanding scholarly articles and literature written in other languages to proficiently communicating with people around the world, you will be prepared for a variety of challenges. Some graduates of our foreign language programs go on to work with people in the U.S. whose English proficiency is limited, while others work overseas in business, foreign relations, politics, teaching, research, missions, journalism and tourism. Wherever your path leads, the study of foreign languages will open doors in exciting ways.
American Sign Language
American Sign Language is currently the sixth most-used language in the U.S., or the fifth most-used non-English language in the U.S. The study of American Sign Language leads students toward careers in interpreting and transliteration for members of the Deaf population as well as toward counseling, social work, teaching, working in schools for the Deaf, and graduate study in linguistics or anthropology. Maryville College is one of fewer than 50 schools nationwide offering bachelor’s degrees in this area of study. The major in American Sign Language – English Interpreting prepares students for careers as interpreters and transliterators; the major in American Sign Language and Deaf Studies (ASL/DS) leads to a wide variety of other careers serving the Deaf. Maryville College also offers a minor in ASL/DS.
French
Beginning and intermediate French language courses are offered. Please refer to the Course Listings section of this catalog for specific course information. Students seeking additional study in French language or culture should consider an education abroad experience from options available through the College Education Abroad programs.
German
German is one of the most important languages of publication for scientific and technical literature worldwide, as well as the language of the country ranked by the World Bank as the fourth largest economy in the world (by gross domestic product, 2012). Maryville College offers a minor in German. A licensure to teach German is available with the minor if a student is already acquiring licensure with the student’s major.
Greek
Beginning and intermediate biblical (koine) Greek language courses are offered. Please refer to the Course Listings section of this catalog for specific course information.
Italian
Beginning Italian language courses are offered. Please refer to the Course Descriptions section of this catalog for specific course information. Students seeking additional study in Italian language or culture should consider an education abroad experience from options available through the College Education Abroad programs.
Japanese
Japanese is the language of the world’s third largest economy (by 2012 gross domestic product), a country with a history of technological innovation. Maryville College offers a minor in Japanese. A licensure to teach Japanese is available with the minor if a student is already acquiring licensure with the student’s major.
Latin
Beginning and intermediate Latin language courses are offered, as enrollment warrants. Refer to the Course Listings section of this catalog for specific course information.
Spanish
Spanish is the second most spoken language in the U.S. after English, so it opens many opportunities for interaction with major segments of the U.S. population, as well as doorways into the culture and life of Latin America and Spain. Maryville College offers both a major and a minor in Spanish. Moreover, the major in Spanish for Teacher Licensure leads to qualification to teach high school Spanish. So does the minor in Spanish, for those who are pursuing another major involving licensure.
Related Opportunities
The College’s Center for Global Engagement gives students numerous opportunities (studying, interning and volunteering) to travel abroad and experience other cultures and languages, which help to inform their approach to teaching English learners. Generous scholarships are available to spend summers and semesters abroad.
Meet a Current Scot
Kat Vallejo
Hometown: Athens, Tennessee
The student-focused nature and size of Maryville College drew Kat’s interest in becoming a Scot herself. Majoring in a foreign language – Spanish with teacher licensure, in Kat’s case – provides her with the opportunity to introduce other young adults to a new language and culture after she graduates with her degree.
“My long-term goal for the future is to get my master’s degree and become a Spanish professor at a college!”
Meet a Recent Grad
Emily Huffstetler ’24
Currently: Pursuing M.S. in Conservation Education at MSU; Founder & CEO of Build for Bees
Emily was introduced to the Spanish major at MC while she was a high school dual-enrollment student, and that inspired her to major in the language, instead of pursuing a minor. She triple-majored in Spanish, Writing Communication and Design and earned her Certified Nonprofit Professional credential. All of these she now uses for her bee conservation nonprofit, Build for Bees.
Currently living abroad in Spain, Emily credits her study abroad experience as a student with helping her choose to make the leap across the Atlantic. In the fall, she’ll start a master’s degree program in Conservation Education from Mississippi State University while also working remotely. “So far, the stars are aligning. My undergraduate internship evolved into a full-time remote position, and my graduate program will also be remote, providing me the flexibility I need to live abroad,” she said.
