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Modern Language Studies Department

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The study of modern languages enhances international understanding and prepares students for life and work in a highly connected global society. As many Guilford students compete for jobs internationally, foreign language skills are essential.

Guilford offers a bachelor of arts in Modern Language Studies with tracks in French, German/German Studies, Japanese Studies, and Spanish. Students learn to listen, speak, read, and write in their chosen language, and their skills are honed to make them exceptional communicators who are culturally aware and competent.

Modern Language Studies majors are required to study abroad for a semester, an experience that gives them an invaluable opportunity to immerse themselves in their chosen course of study. Studying abroad gives students an authentic cultural experience — from food to art to talking with locals and picking up on their intonation, facial expressions and colloquialisms.

Guilford students must take one semester of a modern language. In their final senior seminar, seniors complete a project that bridges their interests in their chosen language and their second major or minor. This project consists of a research paper and an oral presentation, both in the target language.

In almost all industries, bilingual employees are becoming increasingly more valuable. Industries where your bilingual skills will come in handy include health care, hospitality, education, law enforcement and communications, just to name a few.


Teaching Licensure

Students can obtain K-12 licensure in French or Spanish by double majoring in the respective language and Education Studies. Students pursuing these double majors have the same requirements within the Department of Modern Language Studies as do other majors. Students interested in pursuing a teaching career in German may do so by completing the requirements for the German Track, a minor in Education Studies, and then acquiring certification at a graduate institution.

Majors and Minors

"I'm thrilled to return to Germany, a country and people I have grown to love and admire, and I hope to continue the tradition of sharing experiences and exploring knowledge in a passionate, engaged, and intentional way."

Hannah Brewer-Jensen '17
Fulbright Teaching Assistant Award Winner, German and Environmental Studies double major

Bachelor of Arts in Modern Language Studies tracks include:

Modern Language Studies minors include:

College Catalog

For more information about courses for the Modern Language Studies Department, visit the online, searchable College Catalog. The Undergraduate Catalog also includes academic department and major information, academic regulations and resources, admission standards and requirements, and tuition, fees, and financial aid information.

Modern Language Studies Department News and Events

Dark Tales and Mountain Trails
Dark Tales and Mountain Trails

“Alp Dreams” takes students on an adventure, traveling the spectacular trails of Bavaria, Switzerland, and Austria, while reciting tales of magic mountains and following their twists and turns to historical Alpträume.

Swept Away By Senegal
Swept Away By Senegal

French major Khassir Atchabao '20 shares how he was swept away by the beauty and hospitality of Senegal and how his experience shaped his understanding of the world today.

Grüße aus Bayern!
Grüße aus Bayern!

Jameson Lynch '20 found his second home while studying abroad in Germany. He shares his experience as a teaching assistant on his second trip to Munich.

Molding Young Minds
Molding Young Minds

Psychology and Modern Language Studies (Spanish) double major Andrew Orchowsky ’20 uses the lessons he learned at Guilford to land a job he’s passionate about, teaching Spanish, amidst a pandemic.

An Affirmative Future
An Affirmative Future

Spanish major Margaret Brown ’20 credits her success finding a job during the pandemic to Guilford’s hands-on learning experiences.

Four Guilfordians Receive Prestigious Fulbright Scholarships
Four Guilfordians Receive Prestigious Fulbright Scholarships

Caleb Bausman ’19, Ian Stafford ’18, Jameson Lynch ’20, and Quinn Candelaria ’20 recently received prestigious Fulbright Teaching Scholarships in Germany and Austria.

Portal to Japan
Portal to Japan

Not even a pandemic can stop Liz Dizon ’22 from immersing herself in the Japanese language and culture. Find out how she's making the most of her Guilford years.

Language Lover
Language Lover

Drawn to Spanish since high school, Khaira Bolden ’21 double-majored in Modern Language Studies and International Studies at Guilford. She wanted to connect with people around her who speak different languages.

Horizons Unlimited
Horizons Unlimited

Psychology major Finn Shepherd ’19 went local when he chose Guilford College for undergrad, and he expanded his worldview when he chose to add a major in German. Now a graduate student in Wisconsin, read about his big plans for the future.

Guilford in Austria, a College Tradition
Guilford in Austria, a College Tradition

Read about five Guilfordians who landed in Austria via the Fulbright Program, thanks to support and encouragement from Modern Language Studies Professor Dave Limburg (German).

In Pursuit of Excellence
In Pursuit of Excellence

Meet Calley Hull ’23, a Modern Language Studies (Spanish) and English double major with a minor in Communications, who has big plans for her future, including giving back to the community as a teacher.

Contact Us

Maria Bobroff
Maria Bobroff

Associate Professor for Foreign Language

Hiroko Hirakawa
Hiroko Hirakawa

Professor for Japanese

Dave Limburg
Dave Limburg

Professor for German

Elin Limburg
Elin Limburg

Part-Time Lecturer for Modern Language Studies

Liliana Lira-Rivera
Liliana Lira-Rivera

Visiting Lecturer for Foreign Languages

Karen Spira
Karen Spira

Associate Professor of Spanish

Dinorah Cossio Sanchez
Dinorah Cossio Sanchez

Visting Assistant Professor for Spanish

Vera Castro
Vera Castro

Part-Time Lectuer for Foreign Languages