Modern Languages and Literatures

Explore the world through language and culture

At Lake Forest College, the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures offers students an immersive experience in learning languages, cultures, and literatures from around the globe.

students pose for the modern languages and literatures department

French major or minor
Spanish major or minor
Chinese minor
Japanese and Chinese concentrations under Asian Studies
Arabic
Brazilian music, language, and culture

Modern Languages and Literatures

Course Descriptions Requirements Careers Faculty

Why study modern languages and literatures at Lake Forest College?

Lake Forest College modern languages and literatures students benefit from small class sizes that ensure close mentor relationships with faculty. Our program prioritizes global perspectives and focuses on hands-on learning for career development.

Connect with Chicago's multicultural resources
Ample study abroad opportunities
Internship opportunities in and around Chicago as well as abroad
Informal weekly language tables for practicing speaking skills
Access to student tutors for every language taught

Whether you're interested in deepening your communication skills, exploring diverse cultures, or pursuing international opportunities, our programs provide the foundation for becoming globally conscious and culturally aware.

Our faculty bring years of academic expertise and real-world experience. Many have lived, taught, or researched abroad, providing students with a deeper understanding of the languages and cultures they study.

Multidisciplinary approach

Language is more than just a tool for communication—it's the gateway to understanding the world. Our courses blend linguistic skills with rich cultural studies, literary analysis, history, and the arts, ensuring a well-rounded education.

Global perspective

In today’s interconnected world, proficiency in non-English languages opens doors to countless opportunities. From business to international diplomacy, social justice to the arts, we equip students with the skills to contribute to our global society.

Career preparation

Our program builds critical skills that help our graduates thrive in the world beyond our gates. Our students make connections that help them integrate into the vast selection of careers that require mastery of languages beyond English.

Modern languages and literatures in the world

Language skills are in high demand across industries, and our alumni have gone on to succeed in fields like international business, diplomacy, translation and interpretation, education, journalism, and beyond. Our department prepares you not only for graduate study but also for a wide range of professional pathways.

We offer internships related to translation such as a medical interpreting internship at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science as well as translation-related internships at the Children's Legal Center and the Marjorie Kovler Center.

Our diverse faculty are personally connected to Latin America (Argentina, Ecuador), Puerto Rico and Cuba, Europe (French-speaking Switzerland), Japan, China and the Middle East, with research interests in science fiction, film, theater, music, Latin American literature, translation studies, poetry, feminism, queer identities, and more. These interdisciplinary connections help faculty support the diverse dreams of students.

Careers and graduate opportunities

A degree in modern languages and literatures from Lake Forest College provides you with a competitive edge in a wide range of fields:

International relations, law, and diplomacy
Global business and marketing
Health professions
Translation and interpretation
Education and teaching
Media, journalism, and publishing
International nonprofit organizations

Our alumni work at leading companies, international organizations, and academic institutions around the world. Whether you’re planning to pursue graduate studies or enter the workforce immediately, the skills you develop here will serve you throughout your career.

success stories

Study Spanish, French, and Chinese near Chicago

Chicago is an easy one-hour commute by train from Lake Forest College's beautiful wooded campus. The city offers rich cultural experiences and multicultural connections.

Global internship opportunities
Culture-oriented festivals and music
Diverse neighborhoods and cuisines
World-class museums

chicago skyline

Competitive edge with intercultural competence

At Lake Forest College, students can choose up to two majors and one minor or one major and two minors, allowing for ultra-customized academic paths that lead to the realization of unique dreams.

The flexible program of study in languages and literatures allows for ease of completion in conjunction with many other majors/minors, adding global context, linguistic and intercultural competence, giving students an edge when interviewing or applying to graduate school. Additionally, the interdisciplinary nature of our program means that many of our courses are either cross-listed or count as electives in business, Asian studies, cinema studies, education, linguistics, music, international relations, legal studies, social justice, and gender, sexuality, and women's studies.

Plus, most students who have studied a language in high school begin at the 210 level, which already counts for either the major or minor. A total of only eight courses is required for a language major (six for a minor) and up to two courses taken in English for the major (1 for the minor) count among our offerings across the languages and linguistics within the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, providing for a fast-track for students to complete a major/minor.

Collage Magazine

Collage Magazine represents the cultural and linguistic diversity within the Lake Forest College community, providing an opportunity for students of any language other than English to use their abilities in a creative medium. The magazine also encourages any member of the College community (students, faculty and staff) to express in words his or her cultural perspective.

collage maagzine cover