There are so many reasons to study a foreign language. First, it promotes respect for other people and nationalities. Aside from memorizing the vocabulary and grammar rules for that language, you will develop an understanding of their culture. Second, a vast amount of opportunities are open for multilingual students. It widens your network and allows you to meet various people across the globe. Being multilingual also increases your employability and career options. Third, language-learning pursuits enhance one’s decision-making, critical thinking, and communication skills, to name a few. These will elevate your general intelligence and capability, making you more resilient in life.
After you’ve identified the specific language you want to study, the next step is choosing the right school for you. There are tons of schools and universities offering language programs, but in the guide below, we’ve shortlisted some of the best languages schools in the world for you.
Which foreign language is good for career?
When it comes to which foreign language is good for a career, depending on your objective, interest, and resources, some of the most frequently studied languages are English, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, German, French, Japanese, Russian, and Italian. English and Mandarin Chinese have over 1 billion speakers today, so learning these languages would be a great advantage for you to communicate globally. If you are interested in checking out other courses that would be a good fit for you and your prospective future career, please feel free to check out all the available courses in our database.
Top Languages Schools in the World
1. University of Oxford
The University of Oxford takes pride in the world-class education they provide to their students with the help of their academic experts and faculty. They also give access to some of the best learning resources such as their museums, laboratories, and libraries. The school is home to the biggest library in the UK with about 13 million collections.
One of the undergraduate programs is the Bachelor of Arts degree in Modern Languages. In this program, students will have in-depth training in written and oral language and complemented with studies on literature, linguistics, or film. Students of this excellent languages school will have to choose 2 modern languages to study in either French, German, Russian, or Spanish. In terms of postgraduate studies, the university offers a self-directed Master’s in Modern Languages for a more advanced understanding and research. Graduate students are free to design their programs based on the general framework.
2. University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom is renowned for excellent academic teaching and leading-edge research. One of the highlights of students’ experience is joining one of the school’s 500 organizations as well.
In terms of Language study, they offer a Bachelor of Arts in Modern and Medieval Languages wherein students will have to study any two of these languages: French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, or Spanish. The course is designed for 4 years, with the third year abroad, consisting of language classes, lectures, seminars, and more. Because the University of Cambridge is recognized as one of the best languages schools in the world, its students are expected to obtain near-native fluency in their chosen languages. Moreover, the program offers opportunities for translation and research as well.
3. Harvard University
Harvard University is another leading languages school in our list. It remains one of the most prominent schools in the world for its academic and intellectual discoveries. The school’s Department of Romance Languages and Literatures offers language programs focused on French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, and Catalan with a 4-year curriculum. To supplement their studies, opportunities to study abroad, join tutorials, get involved with dialogues and learning programs across the school are provided.
In terms of graduate opportunities, students can conduct further study and research on French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, and Latin American.
4. University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina offers a great number of undergraduate language courses particularly in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. These programs aim to widen their students’ understanding of the world by learning about other languages and cultures.
Graduate students of this top languages school who are interested in studying literature across foreign countries can take the school’s Master or Ph.D. programs. They may also choose to focus their study on their chosen nationality such as German, French, or Spanish.
5. Stanford University
Stanford University is another one of the best languages schools in the world. They have comprehensive curriculums and several choices for foreign language education. Students can study a language as part of their French and Italian, Iberian and Latin American, German, East Asian, and Slavic Languages and Literatures programs.
Postgraduate counterparts for these subjects are also available in the university. Aside from learning the language, students will have to examine the literature, philosophy, linguistics, and history of the chosen nationalities. In addition to this, those from other fields can gain additional insight on languages through the Minor programs in Modern Languages and Translation Studies.
6. University of California, Los Angeles
At the University of California, Los Angeles or UCLA, Languages programs are available in two of their departments. These programs go beyond studying the language and focus on mastering literature, culture, and research to gain a better understanding of these nationalities.
Under the Department of European Languages and Transcultural Studies, undergrad students can either study French, Italian, German, or Scandinavian languages. There are also Doctorate programs in French, Italian, and Germanic, and a Master’s program in Scandinavian.
On the other hand, the Department of Spanish and Portuguese developed curricula for several majors such as Spanish and Linguistics, Spanish and Portuguese, Portuguese and Brazilian Studies, among others. The department offers a Ph.D. in Hispanic Languages and Literature, and an M.A. in Spanish and Portuguese.
7. Columbia University
Columbia University’s languages program is focused on East Asian Studies such as Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. There are independent undergraduate programs available, and a combined Bachelor and Master degree program. The combined program is designed for a curriculum of 5 years. Undergrad students need to meet the school’s criteria and converse with their deans before the start of their fourth year. Fellowship opportunities are given to students and give them a chance to receive training and scholarships abroad.
We hope that you found this article on the best language schools in the world informative and helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs for International Students to know more about studying abroad!
