Modern Languages & Literature

At Gonzaga, you will come to understand the importance of being a citizen of the world, and learning a second language is part of that educational journey.

This is why we require all of those seeking a degree in the College of Arts and Sciences to demonstrate competence in a second language.

The Modern Languages & Literature Department is home to the study of seven languages taught at a range of skill levels. So if you're looking to continue your language studies from high school or dipping your toes into a foreign language for the first time, the department can fit your needs, thanks to a placement process that takes into consideration previous language education.

How You'll Learn

Our approach allows you to learn a language in a multimedia environment, with upper-level courses in literature, film, society and more, furthering our mission of exposing students to new cultures and developing tolerance for difference. Our Study Abroad program offers opportunities for you to enhance the classroom experience with a semester spent in Jordan, Austria, Italy – or a number of other spots around the globe.

By devoting ourselves to research within a range of cultural and theoretical areas and innovation in language acquisition, we are committed to promoting a dynamic and diverse learning community wherein students may comfortably develop personal talents and human qualities.

What You Can do with This Major

Many of our students will use their language ability and intercultural competence in a variety of professional arenas, including government, business, the non-profit sector, teaching or research. Regardless of career path, we seek to prepare our students to contribute to a diverse and changing world as active participants who can work across cultural perspectives.

Why Learn a Language?

Language learning opens a world of opportunities. Learn how knowing a second (or third!) language gives you a boost up the ladder to success: Top Ten Reasons to Learn Languages
History has taught us the value of foreign languages, have we learned our lesson?
A degree in “Foreign Languages, Literature, and Linguistics" Equals Job? Forbes, May 2018, reports that "The major with the fewest underemployed graduates, according to the report, was 'Foreign Languages, Literature, and Linguistics'. In other words, for every cliché of a barista or bartender with a liberal arts degree, there were ten with a degree in business."
Enroll in our classes...you'll learn about all the other reasons why to learn a language!