Foreign Languages and Literature Advising Guide
What is a Major in Modern Languages and Literature?
A Major in Modern Languages and Literature equips students with the linguistic and cultural skills necessary to be leaders in our increasingly interconnected world. Students work towards fluency in a language as they explore its associated cultures. Our program integrates language and literature study with cultural studies, history, geography, and other disciplines so that students develop an interdisciplinary perspective. Many choose to double major in another field.
Career Opportunities in Modern Languages and Literature
Our graduates go on to work in a broad variety of fields. Our program prepares students for:
Graduate and professional preparations in law, healthcare, education, and business.
Teaching careers including teaching abroad.
Careers in government and business, especially in communication and diplomacy.
Salary Trends in Modern Languages and Literature
Proficiency in a language leads to an enhanced employment opportunities in a variety of fields, both in the US and abroad. CareerBuilder.com’s 2020 hiring forecast showed that 39 percent of U.S. employers said they plan to hire bilingual candidates, and half said that if they had two equally qualified candidates, they would be more inclined to hire the bilingual one. Learning a language has been shown to add between 10–15% to your wage, according to language specialist recruitment agency Euro London. If you work for a corporation, you may earn a bonus based on your knowledge of specific languages. Average annual bonuses, as reported by The Economist:
- French — 2.3 percent bonus
- German — 3.8 percent bonus
- Spanish — 1.5 percent bonus
Interpreters and translators are among the top five fastest growing occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with opportunities expected to increase by 46% over the next 10 years.
Members of the U.S. military can earn up to $1,000 more per month if they are proficient in more than one language.
Knowledge of a foreign language can also increase your pay in business or law. Recently, 42% of employers at top law firms saw an increase in legal jobs requiring a second language.
High School Preparation
There are no prerequisites required in order to enter our program beyond admission to the University. Students may complete the major entering with no previous language experience. Those students with some preparation from high school or military service can build on that preparation to advance more quickly through our program. See our placement policy here.
How to Major in Modern Languages and Literature
Please see the link for our degree requirements, including the BA in Modern Language with concentrations in French, German, Russian, and Spanish.
For details about each concentration, please follow these links:
Special Programs, Co-ops, Internships
Modern Languages and Literature students have the opportunity to participate in internships for credit both in the United States and abroad.
Modern Languages and Literature Highlights
Students and alumni of the Department of Modern and Classical Languages have won major fellowships from sources such as Fulbright, Gilman International Scholarship, Rotary International, and the German Academic Exchange Service.
Recent graduates have gone abroad to teach English, accepted commissions in the military, worked for state and federal governments, attended graduate school, law school, medical school, and business school; they are pursuing their dreams around the world.
Qualified students are inducted into Phi Sigma Iota, the Foreign Languages honor society.
What Skills Does Studying Modern Languages and Literature Develop?
Students majoring in Foreign Languages and Literature will develop their ability to communicate in a language other than English, and will gain knowledge of the language’s associated culture, including everyday customs and practices, as well as literary and other artistic creations that define the culture. A major in Foreign Languages and Literature prepares students to take their place as participants, leaders, and innovators in an increasingly interconnected world. Graduates possess critical reading and thinking skills sufficient to understand arguments, elicit hidden assumptions, articulate alternatives, recognize sources of bias, and summarize materials. They also have an increased intercultural sensitivity, including a heightened awareness of stereotypes and ethnocentrism. Students achieve at least intermediate proficiency (on the ACTFL scale) in the language they study. They also develop a deeper understanding and awareness of their native language and culture.
Study Abroad Opportunities
Study abroad is a required element of our curriculum. All majors must earn at least 9 credit hours in an approved, accredited program.
We offer grants to majors to subsidize the cost of study abroad. Over $40,000 in scholarships is available each year from our department.
You should think of the Study Abroad Office as a one-stop shop for information related to your study abroad experience. The Study Abroad (https://www.southalabama.edu/studyabroad/) team is excited to assist you as you navigate through the process of choosing a program, and will help you from the advising stage until you return from your program. You can get started by coming to meet with an advisor during Walk-In Advising hours. During an advising session, you can gain general information about the many programs available, how the application process works at USA and general guidance on where to begin.
Be sure to visit the OIE Study Abroad website at https://www.southalabama.edu/studyabroad/ to begin your research. The website contains information on how to get started, financing your program, and a comprehensive list of pre-approved study abroad programs and partners. While researching a passport or visa programs, consider the following: eligibility requirements, location, course offerings, and costs. You should also meet with your faculty advisor for assistance in selecting a program based on courses related to your degree.
Studying abroad can be one of the highlights of your university career, giving you wonderful and challenging experiences that will allow you to grow both academically and professionally. Where will you study abroad?
Academic Plan
Following an academic plan will help you stay on track to graduate in four years.
To view a sample academic plan, please see below. Degree plans provide only a suggested schedule; make sure to meet with your academic advisor to find the actual schedule that is right for you.
For additional degree information, visit the undergraduate bulletin.
For More Information
Please contact Dr. Susan McCready, chair of the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literature at smccread@southalabama.edu or 251-461-1456 or stop by Humanities Building North, Room 322.
You can find us on campus at:
Department of Modern and Classical Languages
Humanities Building North, Room 322
5991 USA Drive, N.
Mobile, AL 36688
(251) 460-6291