Department
World Languages & Cultures
Become a global leader.
The Department of World Languages and Cultures is a community of dedicated teachers and scholars who prepare you for professions that use language and knowledge of diverse cultures to advance their mission.
You gain intercultural competency, linguistic proficiency, effective communication and ethical leadership skills through transformational learning experiences, community engagement and innovative thinking, grounded in Christian values and supported by research, service and commitment.
Prepared to Succeed
With Samford being ranked #10 in the nation for career preparation by the Wall Street Journal, you enter the workforce ready to collaborate with people of diverse cultures on a global scale. You will learn from language experts, complete an internship using the skills you have acquired in your classes and have the chance to gain real-world experience through studying abroad. We walk alongside you in your language-learning journey to ensure you graduate with the necessary skills and experience to excel in a variety of careers.
Career Opportunities
Internships and Fellowships
- New English Center, Seville, Spain
- FAES, Madrid, Spain
- Department of State, US Embassy, Madrid, Spain
- Latin American Association, Atlanta, GA
- More Internships
Career Opportunities
Education
- Bilingual educator
- K-12 language teacher
- College professor
Business
- International relations consultant
- Import/export specialist
- Foreign exchange trader
- Publishing specialist
- Foreign correspondent
- Proofreader
- Translator/interpreter
- International account manager
- International banking officer
- Bilingual customer support
Culture and Tourism
- Culture events coordinator
- Entertainment industry
- Travel and hospitality
- Translator/interpreter
- Interpreter/guide
Government
- National security
- Intelligence analyst
- Immigration officer
- Court interpreter
- Cultural attaché
- UNESCO official
- Translator/Interpreter
- FBI agent
- Foreign diplomat
- Foreign service officer
Faith-Based
- Missionary
- Translator/interpreter
- Missions coordinator
Internships and Fellowships
- New English Center, Seville, Spain
- FAES, Madrid, Spain
- Department of State, US Embassy, Madrid, Spain
- Latin American Association, Atlanta, GA
- Henry Davis Foundation, Ecuador
- Chouette Paris, France
- Serena Uziyel, Paris, France
- Cultures à Partager, Québec
- International Rescue Committee, Washington, DC
- Andean Parliament, Bogotá, Colombia
- Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama, Birmingham, AL
- Cahaba Valley Health Care, Birmingham, AL
- Women’s Missionary Union, Birmingham, AL
- Viajes Colón in San José, Costa Rica
Academic Programs
French
Study the language, literature and culture of France. You can participate in an intensive French language and culture program at the Université Grenoble-Alpes, where over 3,000 students from seventy different nations study each year. Learn More
German
Study the language, literature and culture of Germany. A summer immersion program in this vibrant country complements outstanding faculty teaching and mentoring. Students in this program are prepared for advanced degrees and careers that require a deep understanding of the German language and experience. Learn More
Spanish
You will gain proficiency in oral and written Spanish, get acquainted with Hispanic and Latino cultures and develop skills in cultural, literary and linguistic analysis. Graduates are prepared for advanced degrees and careers that require a deep understanding of the Spanish language and experience. Learn More
Global Studies
Learn about the people, cultures and languages throughout history. You will study the Middle East, Latin America, Europe or Human Geography as a concentration while also gaining a strong understanding of global history. Learn More
World Languages and Literature
Choose two language and literature options from French, German and Spanish. Learn More
French Minor
Learn the language, literature and culture of France.
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German Minor
Study the language, literature and culture of Germany. Our German minor complements future careers in business or science.
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Spanish Minor
The Spanish minor is an ideal choice for students pursuing careers in business, ministry, health care or any other profession that is engaged with Hispanic and Latino cultures in the U.S. and abroad.
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World Languages and Cultures Minor
The World Languages and Cultures minor allows students in any discipline to enhance their major and general education language requirements with six world language courses at any level.
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Critical Languages Program
Our Critical Languages Program presents a rare opportunity for students to learn a less commonly taught language that is deemed by the United States government as critical to national security, economic competitiveness and scientific inquiry. These languages include Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Haitian Creole, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Swahili, Thai and Vietnamese. In addition to these languages, Italian and American Sign Language are taught in our program.
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Critical Languages Program
Beyond the 101-202 sequence of elementary and intermediate-level courses, the Critical Languages Program offers 205 and 206 classes in Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Korean and Thai. More CLP advanced students can complete a Directed Teaching Experience, a Language for Missions Internship, or take a Language-Across-the-Curriculum class. All classes in the program are small and are led by native-speaking tutors. While our Critical Languages Program is not intended for native speakers, we offer a class in Reading and Writing for Heritage Speakers of a Critical Language. Students from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the University of Montevallo and Miles College may enroll in our language classes thanks to our membership in the Birmingham Area Consortium on Higher Education (BACHE).
Language Placement Test
Unless you are learning a new language at the 101 level, all undergraduate students at Samford must take a language placement test and follow the language course placement recommendation of the Department of World Languages and Cultures. Send an e-mail to wlac@samford.edu for language-specific placement test and registration information.
Study Abroad
Live with a host family and explore the culture and place of your chosen language through one of our study abroad programs. We lead these immersive experiences giving you the opportunity to gain real world experience while developing meaningful and impactful relationships with our faculty.
- Samford in France students participate in an intensive language and culture program through CEA at the Université Grenoble-Alpes, where over 3,000 students from seventy different nations study each year.
- Samford in Germany students spend six weeks in small, individualized classes at Sprachinstitut Treffpunkt in Bamberg.
- Samford in Spain students participate in a five-to-eight-week intensive language and culture program in Seville, Spain.
Student Organizations
French
French Club is where you can improve your French and learn about French culture. You will be invited to weekly dinners to improve conversational French, have time to celebrate the specifics of French culture and even watch a movie or two. Join us as we make crêpes and speak French. Au revoir et bonne journée!
Latino Student Organization (LSO)
Join LSO to connect with other Latinos on Samford’s campus and serve the Latino community through volunteer activities. You will work for the advancement and betterment of the Latino community and be part of a supportive network for its members and their families.
Sigma Delta Pi
Become a member of the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society at Samford. You will be part of a supportive community whose goal is to honor outstanding Spanish students and foster an understanding, appreciation and respect for the Spanish-speaking world.
World Languages & Cultures Scholarships
We offer scholarships to make your language education more accessible and affordable.
Thomas M. and Sandra W. Hines Annual and Endowed Study Abroad Fund
The Thomas and Sandy Hines Study Abroad Scholarship is awarded to French or Spanish students participating in international study programs. Please contact Dieter Waldvogel for more information.
Grace Hicks Ezell Scholarship
The Grace Hicks Ezell Scholarship is awarded to outstanding students studying Spanish.
Wheeler Hawley Award
The Wheeler Hawley Award is awarded to outstanding juniors studying French or German.
D. M. Coleman Span Study Abroad Scholarship (Spanish)
The D. M. Coleman Span Study Abroad Scholarship is awarded to help students of Spanish participate in international study programs. Please contact Dieter Waldvogel for more information.
Glenn/Fortune Scholarship
The Glenn/Fortune Scholarship is awarded to students involved in mission work in a Hispanic culture. Please contact Dieter Waldvogel for more information.
Murray and Sybil Frizzelle Scholarship
The scholarship is to be awarded to students participating in language missions/service project(s) or majoring/minoring in world languages who are also preparing for missions, teaching or service-related careers. Please contact Dieter Waldvogel for more information.
Hilda Hicks Scholarship in German Studies
This scholarship is awarded to students majoring in German at Samford University.
