Languages for the Professions

Carry language study into your career. Vanderbilt offers Languages for the Professions courses that develop linguistic and cultural competency while exploring global work cultures. Through this specialized language study and cultural exploration, students benefit from a more nuanced understanding of the complexities of living in a plural and multilingual society, and graduate prepared to navigate a wide range of careers, including consulting, medicine, international business, and graduate education in many fields. We also offer various internship opportunities both domestic and abroad. Check with your language program for more information.

Explore by Language

Arabic

Students studying Arabic are recommended to seek internship opportunities in Nashville.

The Nashville International Center for Empowerment (NICE) offers help to hundreds of refugees entering the United States. Students are able to use their language skills in areas such as translation and interpretation. Check out their internship opportunities here.

For questions reach out to Professor Issam Eido.

Chinese

Students studying Chinese have access to two abroad opportunities. One is an intensive language study abroad in Beijing and the other is a study abroad in Shanghai with an internship opportunity.

Intensive Language Program with CET: This is an intensive language program designed for a wide range of levels from novice to high-intermediate. Students are paired with a local roommate and live on campus where they will study Chinese for 20 hours per week. For more information contact the Study Abroad Office or reach out to Professor Pengfei Li.

CET in Shanghai – A semester abroad with internship opportunities: Take a semester abroad in Shanghai where you will combine three 3-credit English-taught electives with one 6-credit Chinese language course to meet a total of 15 recommended credits. One elective option involves participating in an internship in Shanghai, allowing you to practice your language skills as well as understand Chinese work culture. The program helps place you in an internship with your goals and language skills in mind and helps you prepare every step of the way. Learn more about the internship here. For more info about the program contact the Study Abroad Office or reach out to Professor Pengfei Li.

French

Students studying French have the ability to expand on their majors like business, health, and law by exploring these topics through the lens of French language and culture. Understanding these subjects in a French context prepares students who may desire to work in these fields globally. There are also a variety of internship opportunities both domestic and abroad for students who are ready to apply what they’ve learned to a professional setting.

FREN 3111: French for Business, explores specialized vocabulary of business terms, business letters, and exercises in comprehension and translation. Upon completion of the course students have the opportunity to take the Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie de Paris Exam. The diploma received for passing the exam serves as proof of good knowledge of spoken and business French. Read more here.

FREN 3112: French, Health, and Society
FREN 3114: French for Law and Diplomacy in a Global Context

Examples of internship opportunities can be found here.

German

Students studying German can complete internships in Germany and Austria through our study abroad programs. The four programs offer excellent opportunities in Berlin, Vienna, Bremen, and Freiburg where students are matched with employers.

See recent internship placements here.

Hear from our students who’ve been there!

GER 3211 German for the Professions is offered in the Spring semester. Students will develop linguistic, (inter)cultural and professional knowledge and abilities specific to careers related to the German-speaking world. With interdisciplinary and project-based approaches, students will explore the strategies to succeed in the German-related marketplace, whether it is in business, engineering, industry, education, medicine, music, and beyond. In addition, they will have the opportunities to get to know local and national German firms. This course aims to help students better understand the global economy, collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds in business settings, and become active intercultural citizens.

For more information please reach out to Professor Silke Schade or Professor Juntao Li.

Spanish

Students studying Spanish can complete the Spanish for the Professions Minor. This track features a multitude of courses that pair well with majors of business, economy, health, law and more.

SPAN 3535: Mercado Maravillas: Foods of Spain and Hispanic America in Today’ s Global Marketplace
SPAN 3345: Spanish in Business and the Global Economy
SPAN 3830: Spanish, Health and Society
SPAN 3350: Spanish for the Legal Profession
SPAN 3395: Sustainability and Society in the Hispanic World Across the Professions
SPAN 4310: Translation and Interpretation
SPAN 3860: Emprendimiento: Global Supply Chain and Entrepreneurship in the Spanish Speaking World
SPAN 3891: Special Topics Course for the Professions

Professor Perspective: How Languages Influence Your Career

Sociology professor Shaul Kelner began studying Russian once he became a professor. Take a listen to his reasons for studying Russian at Vanderbilt.

Marshall Eakin, Distinguished Professor of History, discusses the importance of learning new languages, and the influence language exposure has had on his life.

Vanderbilt Center for Languages