Carnegie Mellon University Department of Modern Languages

The Department of Modern Languages at Carnegie Mellon University features award-winning teachers and internationally recognized researchers. Our research and teaching promotes language learning, deepens cultural understanding through literary and cultural studies, and highlights cutting-edge technology-enhanced learning. We offer a range of undergraduate and graduate programs in eight languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish) in areas such as literary and cultural studies, applied linguistics and second language acquisition (SLA), immersive technologies, and translation and localization.

Come experience the intellectual and personal enrichment that comes with learning new languages—Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish—and encountering the diverse cultures they represent!

The Department of Modern Languages features award-winning faculty who are devoted, engaging teachers and internationally recognized scholars. Our research and teaching foster language learning, deepen cultural understanding through literary and cultural studies and highlight cutting-edge technology-enhanced learning. With internships and study abroad, transformative engagement with local communities, and inspiring co-curricular activities, Modern Languages inspires and educates the next generation of global thinkers and innovators.

Unique Courses

49% of CMU students take a course in Modern Languages even though there is no university-wide language requirement (data from CMU, 2019).

8 Diverse Language Programs

We offer Arabic, Chinese, French & Francophone, German, Hispanic, Italian, Japanese, and Russian Studies.

Opportunities Abroad

Explore and engage through researching, studying, or teaching abroad.

We work together to forge intercultural connections.

The Department of Modern Languages features award-winning teachers and internationally recognized researchers. Our research and teaching promotes language learning, deepens cultural understanding through literary and cultural studies, and highlights cutting-edge technology-enhanced learning.