Why study Spanish
APSU students of Spanish engage in curricular and co-curricular experiences that advance their learning and knowledge of the Spanish-speaking world. The program in Spanish includes various community-centered extracurricular activities (e.g.International fair, World Language Fair, service-learning opportunities) Study Abroad in Argentina, Spain, or Ecuador. Students may use credit from a Study Abroad or Exchange Program in a Spanish-speaking country toward their Concentration in Spanish.
The Spanish faculty at Austin Peay are experienced in a variety of fields --translation, linguistics, Peninsular and Latin American cultures and film, to name a few—that will provide students with the knowledge and skills in the language and cultures of the Spanish speaking world. There are over 559 million Spanish speakers in the world, with 41 million of those Spanish speakers living in the United States. Learning Spanish (or any additional dialect/language) has been shown to increase cognitive abilities and the process of learning a language helps develop skills that prepare you to step into any career path. If that isn’t enough, the need for Spanish speakers is predicted to increase annually. In fact, by 2050, the United States will be the largest Spanish-speaking country in the world so knowing Spanish will also give you an edge in the job market for the foreseeable future.
Students seeking a Concentration in Spanish will be preparing for work or travel experiences in a global and multilingual world. A Concentration in Spanish can help prepare students for a life and career in international business, communication, education, bilingual technical writing, or government service in Spanish-speaking parts of the world. According to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, 85% of U.S. employers are dependent on Spanish-speaking personnel, which means Spanish speakers are in high demand. Students may seek employment in companies with Spanish- speaking clients, or in government agencies that recruit multilingual employees (such as the Department of Defense, Department of State, FBI, and CIA). According to TN Transfer Pathway, you can make a median salary of $63,500 per year in Tennessee with a degree in a Foreign Language.
What will I Learn
By the end of the program, students will:
- Acquire an advanced knowledge of the Spanish language through the analysis of the language, cultures, and literature of the Spanish speaking world.
- Develop an understanding of the cultures of the 21 Spanish-speaking countries of the world.
- Complete a portfolio with documents and evidence in preparation for life work in a global and multilingual society.
- Discuss, through a critical lens, a range of cultural, historical, literary, and linguistic topics of the U.S., Latin American and Spain.
- Compare and reflect on social, political, and economic situations across the globe and their connections with the U.S., Latin America, and Spain.