Language Programs

Welcome to the Language Program in the Department of Romance Languages & Literatures at Harvard University

At the intersection of critical thinking, cultural expression, global trends, as well as the arts and literature lies a key skill: language. Learning a new language opens pathways to new career opportunities, enhances cognitive abilities and problem-solving skills, and prepares students to take on roles as active global citizens. The Language Program in the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures at Harvard explores the potentialities of language from a myriad of perspectives, including the social, cultural, historical, culinary, and environmental intersections between languages and cultures; the arts and artistic representations found in through the study of theater, film, and literature; and the many uses for Romance languages in the realms of business, economics, and public health. 

Offering undergraduate language courses in French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish at the elementary, intermediate, and advanced levels, as well as beginning Catalan, we are committed to interdisciplinarity and excellence in language acquisition and its many uses. 

Value of Study 

Language is fundamental to humankind. It enables us to think, express ideas, and share knowledge. Learning another language is a vital step towards understanding the world in its fascinating diversity and complexity, and toward dismantling linguistic, political, and economic inequalities. The study of languages and cultures crosses historical, cultural, and disciplinary boundaries. It promotes the value of engaged global citizenship by nurturing empathy for people from different cultures and empowering students to engage in multicultural communities. And it is foundational to future success. By stretching our powers of analysis and memory, developing the imagination, and disclosing the potential and limits of our own language, it makes us more effective communicators. Learning a language ultimately prepares students to thrive in international contexts and become leaders of change in a globalized workplace. 

Courses in RLL generate new ways of thinking, speaking, and writing. Learning in an acquired language enhances analytical competencies, builds critical thinking, and helps learners develop new ways of thinking about abstract concepts. In RLL, we cultivate rigorous educational experiences at all levels in small classroom settings where we foster an understanding of the intersections between language and the world. In our increasingly connected world, learning new languages inspires a greater understanding of cultural awareness, preparing our students to become global citizens.