Our goal is for all Duke students to develop proficiency in a second language in order to fully explore other histories and literatures, to gain an understanding and appreciation for culture as embodied in language, and to bring new perspectives that enhance understanding of issues of similarity and difference.
Benefits of Studying Other Languages
Global Understanding
- Knowing a foreign language can help you contribute to making the world a better place. Knowledge of other languages and cultures is an absolute necessity, not only for economic and political survival, but also for international collaboration.
- Being proficient in more than one language will enhance your ability to participate effectively in the local, national and international debates of the 21st century.
Professional Success
- "Soft skills" such as communication skills, leadership attributes, an ability to work in teams, and an awareness and understanding of other cultures are now just as important as technical or professional knowledge in initiating and building your career.
- Knowing a foreign language will give you an edge in the job market, in career advancement and in knowledge of your discipline.
Personal Growth
- Speaking another language can open doors for you physically, mentally and even spiritually. Speaking another language and living in another culture challenges who you are, builds empathy and makes you examine the factors that have shaped your identity.
- Studying foreign languages and cultures also develops your analytical, critical, and interpretive abilities. Some studies have shown a direct correlation between foreign language study and improved performance in verbal and mathematical skills.
What You Need to Know
- Duke's Foreign Language (FL) requirement for graduation
- Guidance on choosing which language to study
- Frequently asked questions about foreign language study
Our Language Offerings
Language | How Frequently Offered? | Fulfills Foreign Language (FL) Requirement? | Offered By | Can I do more in language & culture studies? | |
Minor | Major | ||||
Arabic | Regularly offered | Yes | Asian & Middle Eastern Studies | Minor in Arabic | Major in Asian & Middle Eastern Studies with Arabic Concentration |
Balto-Finnic | Occasionally offered | No | Slavic and Eurasian Studies | n/a | n/a |
Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian | Occasionaly offered at Duke. Regularly offered at UNC-Chapel Hill. | No | Slavic and Eurasian Studies | n/a | n/a |
Chinese | Regularly offered | Yes | Asian & Middle Eastern Studies | Minor in Chinese | Major in Asian & Middle Eastern Studies with Chinese Concentration |
Creole | Regularly offered | Yes | n/a | n/a | |
Czech | Occasionaly offered at Duke. Regularly offered at UNC-Chapel Hill. | No | Slavic & Eurasian Studies | n/a | n/a |
French | Regularly offered | Yes | Romance Studies | Minor in French Studies | Majors in French & Francophone Studies or Romance Studies |
Georgian | Occasionally offered | No | Slavic & Eurasian Studies | n/a | n/a |
German | Regularly offered | Yes | German Studies | Minor in German | Major in German Studies |
Greek | Regularly offered | Yes | Classical Studies | Minor in Greek | Major in Classical Languages |
Hebrew | Regularly offered | Yes | Asian & Middle Eastern Studies | Minor in Hebrew | Major in Asian & Middle Eastern Studies with Modern Hebrew Concentration |
Hindi | Regularly offered | Yes | Asian & Middle Eastern Studies | Minor in Hindi | Major in Asian & Middle Eastern Studies with Hindi Concentration |
Hungarian | Occasionaly offered at Duke. Regularly offered at UNC-Chapel Hill. | No | Slavic & Eurasian Studies | n/a | n/a |
Italian | Regularly offered | Yes | Romance Studies | Minor in Italian Studies | Majors in Italian Studies or Romance Studies |
Japanese | Regularly offered | Yes | Asian & Middle Eastern Studies | Minor in Japanese | Major in Asian & Middle Eastern Studies with Japanese Concentration |
K'iche' Maya | Regularly offered | Yes | Less Commonly Taught Languages Initiative | n/a | n/a |
Korean | Regularly offered | Yes | Asian & Middle Eastern Studies | Minor in Korean | Major in Asian & Middle Eastern Studies with Korean Concentration |
Latin | Regularly offered | Yes | Classical Studies | Minor in Latin | Major in Classical Languages |
Persian | Regularly offered | Yes | Asian & Middle Eastern Studies | n/a | n/a |
Polish | Regularly offered | Yes | Slavic & Eurasian Studies | Minor in Polish Language & Cuture | Major in Slavic & Eurasian Studies |
Portuguese | Regularly offered | Yes | Romance Studies | Minor in Brazilian & Global Portuguese | Majors in Brazilian & Global Portuguese or Romance Studies |
Quechua | Occasionally offered | No | Romance Studies | n/a | n/a |
Romanian | Occasionally offered | No | Slavic & Eurasian Studies | n/a | n/a |
Russian | Regularly offered | Yes | Slavic & Eurasian Studies | Minor in Russian Culture & Language | Majors in Russian Culture & Language or Slavic & Eurasian Studies |
Spanish | Regularly offered | Yes | Romance Studies | Minor in Spanish Studies | Majors in Spanish & Latin American Studies or Romance Studies |
Tibetan | Regularly offered | Yes | Asian & Middle Eastern Studies, | n/a | May be used towards major in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies; see DUS for more information |
Turkish | Regularly offered | Yes | Slavic & Eurasian Studies | Minor in Turkish Language & Culture | Major in Slavic & Eurasian Studies |
Ukranian | Occasionally offered | No | Slavic & Eurasian Studies | n/a | n/a |
Uzbek | Occasionally offered | No | Slavic & Eurasian Studies | n/a | n/a |