Modern and Classical Languages

Modern and Classical Languages

Modern and Classical Languages

Why Study Modern and Classical Languages?

The essence of a Christian liberal arts education is to interact with all of God’s world from a Christian perspective. Modern and Classical Language study equips students to do so especially well by challenging them to master a language, to ask significant questions and seek answers, to develop original ideas, and to become intellectually self-motivated, life-long learners and servants of Christ. Many Modern and Classical Language students at Wheaton are double majors, combining a language with majors such as archaeology, biblical and theological studies, business/economics, communication, psychology, philosophy, applied health science, education, or international relations.

Have questions regarding language testing? Contact Dr. Arielle Akines, Language Resource Center Director.

Languages that are currently offered

Where to Find Us

Office Locations of MCL Department Personnel. Please note that our office locations are in McAlister Hall (405 N. Washington St.), immediately northwest of Blanchard Hall. CATC language requirement or language placement testing questions should be directed to Dr. Arielle Akines in MCA 110. The department chair, Dr. Tamara Townsend, is in MCA 220. The department’s senior office coordinator, Sarina Laya, is in MCA 212. If you desire to email a particular member of the department and their faculty listing does not include their address, please reach out to us at sarina.laya@wheaton.edu and we’ll put you in touch as appropriate.

Meet Our Department Chair

Tamara TownsendDr. Tamara Townsend, Associate Professor of Spanish, is the chair of the Modern and Classical Languages department.

About Modern and Classical Languages at Wheaton

 

Consult the course catalog for full listing of current courses available in this field.

Possible Careers for Modern and Classical Language Majors

A language degree offers a great amount of flexibility for career choices. The Center for Vocation and Career would be happy to partner with you to explore the variety of choices available to you.

Here are just a few of the possible career fields you might consider: 

  • Business (Domestic and International)
  • Entrepreneur
  • Diplomacy/Government Organizations
  • Education
  • Foreign Service
  • Humanitarian Aid/Non-Profit Organizations
  • Human Resources
  • International Law
  • Interpretation/Translation
  • Journalism/Writer
  • Medical/Healthcare
  • Ministry/Missions
  • Public Relations
  • Social Work
  • Software Engineering/IT
  • Veterinary Science

Being able to read Greek, Hebrew, and Latin with ease gave me a real leg up in my doctoral and post-doctoral work and expedited my studies in a variety of other modern languages. — Christopher Hays '02
Learning a language and using it in a real context abroad for the major is an incredible experience! You get to dive deep into another culture and open up opportunities that you might not have otherwise. Being bilingual has qualified me for jobs and internships (abroad and domestic) that I would never have been able to consider had I not learned another language. — Danielle Ely '18
The Spanish major has surprised and challenged me...I was expecting to solely improve my fluency in the language (which I did). However, more importantly, in my Spanish classes at Wheaton College, I learned about what it means to live justly, celebrate diversity, and work towards reconciliation of Christ’s Kingdom. — Christine Schlais '18