Discover your cultural competency
Discover your cultural competency by majoring in languages. Learn more about our programs in:
French & Italian
Spanish & Portuguese
Russian, East European and Eurasian studies
Slavic studies
As a student in the languages, you'll enjoy inspiring classes with world-renowned professors; opportunities for language study through study abroad programs; and access to university resources.
Study topics including:
- French and Italian
- Spanish and Portuguese
- Russian, East European and Eurasian studies
- Slavic studies
Choose courses that will give you an in-depth understanding of the civilizations, a solid familiarity with the cultures, and an advanced knowledge of the region within your area of study.
French & Italian
Major in French and/or Italian at Illinois! Explore the various opportunities the Department of French and Italian and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have to offer. Visit our website for more information about our programs in French and Italian. Learn more about out French major requirements, Italian major requirements, and what you can do while you pursue your degree.
Germanic languages and literatures
Our German program offers a comprehensive curriculum in German language, culture, and linguistics to help you meet your academic and professional goals. In addition to courses in German for the complete immersion experience, we offer numerous classes in English, most of which fulfill general education requirements. We offer a study-abroad program in Vienna for undergraduates and an exchange with our partner university in Greifswald for graduate students. Undergraduates can also pursue study abroad elsewhere in the German-speaking world via Illinois Abroad and Global Exchange, and our graduate students regularly win fellowships to do research at a wide range of universities and libraries in Germany, Austria, and Scandinavia. Join us!
Spanish & Portuguese
Learn Portuguese! In the Portuguese studies major, students gain command of the language and acquire skills from a range of approaches. One of our strengths is that students can count as part of their majors or minors courses they take in anthropology, comparative literature, ethnomusicology, global studies, history, and Latin American and Caribbean studies.
At Spanish at Illinois, we offer programs and courses that will improve your Spanish, increase your knowledge of Hispanic cultures and prepare you to thoughtfully engage in a changing world where Spanish is a major language. You can make your experience in Spanish fit your unique interests through our study abroad options, opportunities to work closely with faculty, courses on a wide array of topics, online courses and community service learning.
Russian, East European and Eurasian studies
Discover our program in Russian, East European and Eurasian studies. The Russian, East European, and Eurasian Center is home to a wide variety of programs for members of the university community and the general public designed to expand understanding of and promote knowledge about Russia, and the countries of Eastern and Central Europe, the Balkans, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.
Slavic languages & literatures
Slavic studies courses challenge students to interpret masterful and complex cultural products—novels, poetry, films—that pose ethical dilemmas, confront violence and war, delve into the intricacies of love and friendship, advocate different political systems, and offer alternative religious perspectives. As a Slavic studies major, you'll become a critical reader and interpreter, sensitive to nuances of expression, responsive to artistic innovation, and open to new ways of thinking.
Inspiring professors
When you attend Illinois, you'll take interesting classes with professors doing ground-breaking research.
Meet Felisa Vergara Reynolds
Join Kylie, a student in creative writing, as she interviews Felisa Vergara Reynolds, a professor in French at the University of Illinois.
Meet Anna Torres-Cacoullos
Join Caitlin, a student in teaching of Spanish, as she interviews Anna Torres-Cacoullos, a professor in the Department of Spanish. Professor Torres-Cacoullos is also an affiliate with the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies and with the European Union Center.
Hear from our students
Languages at Illinois go far beyond the basics, giving students the chance to explore the world through literature, connect with readers across borders, and apply language skills in powerful, real-world contexts.
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A day in Mia's life
What’s it like to earn a double-major bachelor’s degree in Spanish and English at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign? Follow Mia, a Spanish major and an English major in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, as she takes you through a typical day—exploring Latin American culture, diving into Renaissance literature, and strengthening her language skills.
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Choix Goncourt at the University of Illinois
FR 322: Movements and Perspectives: This immersive course invited students to dive deep into four nominated novels, explore the impact of literary prizes, and reflect on how stories shape identity and global understanding.