The Department of Modern Languages & Cultures is pleased to announce the addition of a Spanish major beginning Fall 2009. Students majoring in Spanish at Northwestern will be equipped to use their language skills in careers and ministry.

The Spanish major will focus on the development of oral proficiency and exposure to Hispanic culture in the Western Hemisphere and in Spain. As part of the program, students will spend a full semester studying in Seville, Spain where they will participate in the Semester in Spain (SIS) program of Trinity Christian College.

During this study-abroad semester, students are fully immersed in the language. All classes are taught entirely in Spanish by native Spanish speakers. Students are expected to speak only Spanish at school and with their host family. Professor Linda Gianoulis said that students will benefit greatly from spending an entire semester in Spain. "The longer you live in a culture, the better the chance of developing fluency in that culture’s language," she said.

The program will consist of 38 credits; 20 credits at Northwestern, 16 credits abroad in Seville, Spain, and a senior project.