Modern Languages

Department Overview

Build bridges to other cultures.

“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart” (Nelson Mandela). When you study French or Spanish at Grove City College, you become a student of language — the primary means of God’s revelation throughout history and a tool that builds bridges to other people and cultures. As you grow in fluency, you will be better able to see the beauty of God’s Kingdom weaving together every tribe, tongue, and nation. You will be encouraged and trained to pursue meaningful communication with cultural awareness, while gaining an appreciation of diverse literary and artistic expressions, along with the confidence to conscientiously engage in our globalized society.

Gain fluency and develop a practical skill set.

From day one, you will be immersed in French or Spanish and learn how to thrive at every level — from predictable contexts to more complex situations. As you navigate unfamiliar verb tenses, learn thousands of new words, and analyze alternate modes of expression, you will master skills that apply to all areas of your life. You will develop strategies to cope with ambiguous scenarios, adapt to changing demands, and interact with people of different cultures and backgrounds. Importantly, you will cultivate empathy for non-English speakers and gain perspective to ground your professional pursuits. Thanks to our program’s flexibility, you can easily double major in another discipline and multiply your opportunities and marketability in a vast array of fields.

Prepare for global engagement.

Our students are exceptionally prepared for real-world engagement across cultures. In the classroom, you will benefit from a mix of classes ranging from writing and speaking to culture, history, film, and literature — giving you broad exposure to expressions of the human experience around the world. With assistance from our Office of Global Programs, you will have access to excellent resources as you explore international program options and prepare for a semester, summer, or year overseas. Grove City College also offers faculty-led travel courses that provide opportunities to get a taste of life abroad.

Engage with faculty, build community.

Our talented faculty are masterful French and Spanish speakers who will challenge and encourage you in your language proficiency and holistic appreciation of cultures. They are also caring mentors who will personally guide you to solidify your career path and make the most of your opportunities in college. In and out of the classroom, you will be invited to engage with your professors — in small classes that are conducive to conversation, during office hours over a cup of tea, at language-specific gatherings, and around campus for special events like International Praise and Worship Night. You will also build community with fellow language students through groups such as the French Club, Spanish Club, Alpha Mu Gamma Foreign Language Honorary, and Grove City College’s chapter of MuKappa.

Grow professionally through research and internships.

If you hope to conduct research in your field, you may pursue an independent project or assist faculty in their research exploring literature, language pedagogy, translation, international business, art, culture, public policy, education, and more. You will also have opportunities to grow professionally through internships and service-learning projects around the world in fields such as international business, communications, social work, missions, law, and medicine with organizations like the Peace Corps and Teach in Chile (CIEE). Our modern language majors have recently gained experience in various international locations including Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Guatemala, Peru, and Spain.

Enjoy amazing career outcomes.

According to a 2019 survey conducted by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), 56% of employers say that their foreign language demand will increase in the next five years. With a degree from our modern languages program, you are sure to stand out in the marketplace with exceptional language skills and a strong ethic of care for others. Like 95% of Grove City College graduates, you will be prepared to compete for full-time positions in translation, teaching, government, social work, bilingual services, interpretation, mission work, and foreign service — or to pursue further education at some of the top graduate programs in the country within six months of graduation. Recently our graduates have accepted positions with Samaritan’s Purse, Villanova University, U.S. Department of State, U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Dwellworks, Immigrant Hope, Catholic Charities, PPG Industries, Sewickley Academy, and other positions with the government, big-name companies, nonprofits, and schools. Others have been admitted to graduate programs at universities including Purdue, Queen’s University Belfast, University of Pittsburgh, Oxford, and University of Paris-Sorbonne.

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