Skip to main content

Language Study

Updated 4/8/26

Northwestern University offers nearly 20 different world languages through corresponding academic departments and programs. Students will have the opportunity to learn new languages and/or to continue their  learning journey in a language that they may have been studying or speaking for a while.

 

Why LEARN a Language

Language learning at Northwestern opens the door to many exciting opportunities, including studying abroad, participating in undergraduate research, earning fellowships, pursuing teacher licensure, and significantly enhancing your career prospects.
Opportunities and funding resources for language STUDY

 

jumpstart your language journey

Not sure where to begin with language study at Northwestern? Whether you’re continuing a language you already know or starting something completely new, this flowchart will help you figure out your next steps. If you have any questions,  please contact us at languageresourcecenter@northwestern.edu

language STUDY at Northwestern flowchart

new transfer and first-year student registration

New Student Registration

 

LanguageS Offered At Northwestern

Click the language name in the table below to visit their home department's website.  Also See:

LANGUAGE STUDY PATHWAY

CLASS MEETING PATTERNS AND CONTACT HOURS

For opportunities to study Native American and Indigenous languages, please visit the Indigenous Languages page at the Center for Native American and Indigenous Research. 

If you cannot find a language of interest here, please see the Languages Not Offered page. 

  *Please visit the School of Professional Studies' website for information on Summer Session.

** These are Northwestern Summer Programs and Partner Summer Programs.  Please visit the Summer Programs page at Global Learning Office (GLO) for information on summer abroad opportunities.  There may also be other summer programs available; however students should carefully choose the option before you apply.  Please read about Independent Summer Programs. Also, please consult the applicable study abroad coordinator (See Language Program Contact) for more information.

***Students minoring/majoring in International Studies may be eligible to pursue a Certificate of Distinction in Foreign Languages.

Languages Offered
Language 1st & 2nd-year language study 3rd-year+ Offers Major Offers Minor Summer Session* Summer Study Abroad**
Arabic ✓ ✓ (✓)1 ✓ ✓ ✓
Chinese ✓ ✓ (✓)2 (✓)2 ✓ ✓
Czech ✓ (✓)3 (✓)3
French ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
German ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Ancient Greek ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Hebrew

 ✓ ✓ (✓)1,4 (✓)1,4
Hindi-Urdu ✓ ✓ (✓)2 (✓)2
Italian ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Japanese ✓ ✓ (✓)2 (✓)2 (✓)5
Korean ✓ ✓ (✓)2 (✓)2 (✓)5 ✓
Latin ✓ ✓ (✓)9 (✓)9
Polish ✓ ✓ (✓)3 (✓)3
Portuguese ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Russian ✓ ✓ (✓)3 (✓)3 ✓
Sanskrit (✓)6 (✓)6
Spanish ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Swahili ✓ (✓)7 (✓)8 (✓)8
Turkish ✓ (✓)1 (✓)1 ✓

Notes:
1. Language courses in Arabic, Hebrew, and Turkish may be used to satisfy the requirements for the major and minor in Middle East and North African Studies. Please consult the MENA studies director for advising on the MENA major and minor.
2. Language courses in Chinese, Hindi-Urdu, Japanese, and Korean may be used to satisfy the requirements for the major and minor in the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures. Please consult the department website.
3. Language courses in Czech, Polish, and Russian may be used to satisfy the requirements for the major and minor in Russian and East European Studies, and the major in Russian Language, Literature and Culture. Please consult the Director of Undergraduate Studies for more information.
4. Language courses in Hebrew may be used to satisfy the requirements for the major and minor in Jewish Studies and for the minor in Hebrew Studies. Please consult the advisor in the Center for Jewish and Israel Studies.
5. Korean 111-1 and Japanese 111-1 (first quarter) are offered during the summer.
6. Sanskrit courses may be used to satisfy the requirements for the major and minor in Religious Studies.
7. See the Program of African Studies for details on advanced sequence Swahili 216-1,2,3 and ULA-Global Health, Arusha, Tanzania.
8. Language courses in Swahili may be used to satisfy the requirements for the adjunct major and the minor in Program of African Studies.
9. Language courses in Latin may be used to satisfy the requirements for the major and minor in Classics. Please consult the department website and Director of Undergraduate Studies.


ProgramS and DepartmentS