Posted by Studying to get a bachelor’s degree in Languages is not a bad idea. Research has it that there is a high demand for competent students who study linguistics in the job field.
Reading further, you will discover the job opportunities available when you graduate with a bachelor’s degree in languages as well as the countries with greater demand for this profession. You will also discover which universities are best for this degree globally, as well as a few tips you need to know to get a great grade and expertise in languages.
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Bachelor’s Degree in Languages
Getting a bachelor’s degree in languages is usually great for students that has the passion of gaining more knowledge in languages and communication between people and organizations of different culture and language globally.
A bachelor’s degree in languages allows students to study their chosen language gaining much capacity to ensure effective communication and cross-cultural competency.
In some educational institutions, this program is concluded in 3 years while in most especially in Africa it is a four year program. During this program, you are required to learn a local language and two foreign languages, cool right?
One problem most students encounter is choosing which foreign language they need to learn. In choosing a foreign language, you have to look at the language and culture that appeals to you most. Some foreign languages to study with rich cultures are: Spanish, German, French, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Italian, Hebrew, Arabic, and Portuguese.
One could also combine this program with other disciplines such as history, political science, or international affairs.
Schools offering a Bachelor’s Degree in Languages
Below are 30 universities offering a bachelor’s degree in languages around the world and their location. Let’s go ahead to list them below.
- Harvard University – US
- University of Cambridge – UK
- University of Oxford – US
- University of California – Berkeley, US
- Stanford University – US
- Yale University – US
- University of California – Los Angeles, US
- Columbia University – US
- University of Tokyo – Japan
- Peking University – China
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology – US
- Princeton University – US
- National University of Singapore – Singapore
- New York University – New York
- Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico – Mexico
- Universidad de Buenos Aires – Argentina
- University of Edinburgh – UK
- University of Chicago – US
- Seoul National University – South Korea
- Fudan University – China
- University of Toronto – Canada
- University of Melbourne –Australia
- University of Hong Kong – China
- Kyoto University – Japan
- Freie Universitaet Berlin – Germany
- University of Sydney – Australia
- Pontificia Universidad Catholica de Chile – Chile
- Indiana University – Bloomberg
- Middlebury College – Vermont
- University of Wisconsin-Marison – UK
10 Best Places to get a Bachelor’s degree in Languages in Africa
The following are the best countries to get a bachelor’s degree in Language.. They don’t only offer African languages but they also offer choices of western languages.
- Morocco
- Kenya
- South Africa
- Tanzania
- Ethiopia
- Namibia
- Egypt
- Uganda
- Madagascar
- Senegal.
Requirements for the Study for a Bachelor’s Degree in Language
The basic requirements a students needs to get a bachelor’s degree in languages are the acquiring of the basic subjects for example, literature.
Some schools needs you to be proficient in studying a foreign language for two years. On completion of this requirement, you are now assessed based on the language you chose and studied, this means that you are given a test or an exam to test your ability to produce that language be it your local language or any of the two foreign languages you may choose and passing these exams with good grades qualifies you for a bachelor’s degree in languages. This do not only makes you get this degree as a student, it improves your knowledge and education in Humanities.
Jobs Waiting for Students Having a Bachelor’s Degree in Languages
With the high demand of linguistics, the below jobs are some of the opportunities awaiting students with a bachelor’s degree in languages:
- Academic researcher
- Interpreter
- Political risk analyst
- Secondary school teacher
- Translator
- Broadcast journalist
- Detective
- Diplomatic service officer
- Education consultant
- English as a foreign language teacher
- International aid/development worker
- Logistics and distribution manager
- Marketing executive
- Patent examiner
- Private tutor
- Publishing rights manager
- Sales executive
- Tour manager.
Reasons to get a Bachelor’s Degree in Languages
1. Job Marketability
The marketplace as we know it is stretching at a global scale. The digital era has enabled international relationships to grow rapidly causing the need for international collaboration. Even in world of business, employees needs to keep up with the pace on the new global landscape unfolding before them.
This means a demand in workers who don’t just speak the local language of the country but other languages, and also who can understand and value so many cultures.
Getting a bachelor’s degree in languages especially a foreign language doesn’t just gifts you with a highly desirable and demanding skill, it also gives you an reassuring edge over others by showcasing you to your employers as a valuable worker who understands the trends of the century we find ourselves in.
2. You have a Successful Job
Learning and getting a bachelor’s degree in languages will not only equip you with foreign language skills that would help you gain a great job, but they can also help you secure that job. The reason is because studying several languages that are not your local language is not about being able to speak them alone; it’s about getting the knowledge of a language cultural and understanding that language.
This will surely help you get ahead other colleagues in the institution you find yourself.
For example in the business world, where you have to talk with other people from different parts of the world, exchanging ideas and signing deals, it is best to understand a foreign colleague’s business expectations and how can you do that? By understanding his/her language and culture. Thus it poses a very important skill when it comes to business negotiations. There are jobs particularly those in diplomacy and immigration needing a second language and getting the degree is crucial in those jobs.
3. We live in a Multicultural World
Learning about other cultures helps you in so many ways, like getting and securing a job as explained above, there’s also another advantage which is, it helps you become a master of several languages which is great in a multicultural world.
Learning other languages gives you access to their culture, ways of life and experiences thus having a greater understanding of human nature and the world at large. You are improving your ability to connect when you improve your ability to communicate.
4. Improves your Health
Shocking right? You would be asking how can learning a language improve health? Keep reading, we’ll tell you how. Learning to communicate in a different language aside yours changes positively your cognitive abilities. You will discover the improvement you have in problem solving when you learn different languages.
A research was conducted and the result showed that bilingual students have a unique cognitive configuration that enables them to perform more than others who can speak one language in tests and subjects such as vocabulary, reading and even math. Another study shows that students who speak multiple languages are great multitaskers.
Learning multiple languages sharpens your brain. Thus older people who learnt multiple languages are usually not affected with age related cognitive impairments, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
5. You make Better Decisions
An article in Psychological Science that was recently published, stated that speaking a foreign language promotes analytical thoughts over emotional ones. Deciding to study a foreign language as well as your local language helps you make good decisions.
Tips to know when getting a Bachelor’s Degree in Languages
Yes you want to study a foreign language or even know more about your local language, let’s show you a few tips to make you know that it would not only give you a great grade but improve your overall learning ability.
Here are 4 tips to know before/when studying for a bachelor’s degree in languages:
- Put in Extra Effort: No course is easy neither is any course difficult but with extra effort, you can get a great grade. Reading more and going to classes more will widen your reading ability.
- Study Abroad: Studying abroad will give you an edge over other students who are studying in their country of origin. Remember what you are studying is a foreign language, it would be best if you study this language in that country were it is spoken, you learn more about the culture and people of that language because of the interaction that will ensure between you and the locals. Know more about being among international students.
- Pair your Language Major with Another Major: Do you want to have a great specialization and get more recognized globally? Then study a major in addition to your language major. You can pick a major related to your chosen major for example; wanting to venture into international business? It is wise to study business in addition to languages will be a great edge.
- Immersion Options: This depends on your university, or college, you could study in the same floor or class regarding a course with students who are from the country of that language. If your school doesn’t offer this option, you could learn in another school and transfer your credits to your school. This is to help you learn more about your language.
- Check for Test-levels: Do your university offer a favorable test level in your major language in which you chose? You have to check the grading level of your school to be able to know what you are up against and know the level of efforts you need to put in when getting your bachelor degree in languages.