Department of Global Languages and Cultures

Culture comes to life here

As a Global Languages and Cultures major, you’ll become an informed global citizen by learning to discuss ideas and connect across beliefs and behavior. From day one, you’ll explore new perspectives through immersive learning, cultural events, and study abroad experiences that bring cultures to life. 

Here, language is more than words, it’s your passport to understanding people, stories, and ideas that shape our interconnected world. You’ll graduate ready to lead, communicate, and succeed wherever your journey takes you. 

Your passport to what’s next

Through language, culture, and international experience, you’ll gain the skills at NAU to make your mark wherever your journey takes you. 

Why study Global Language and Cultures at NAU

At NAU, you will develop linguistic competence and cultural literacy guided by faculty who are experts in languages including Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Navajo, and Spanish. 

Learning outcomes

At NAU’s Department of Global Languages and Cultures, you will:

• analyze the structure and use of language at the sound, word, and sentence level.  
• express meanings through speaking and writing on topics like work, school, home, and leisure activities using major time frames (past, present, and future). 
• think critically and analytically about socio-cultural, historical, and linguistic issues related to the culture of the language you study. 
• discover how historical, political, religious, and economic forces have shaped the current world system with its power inequalities and efforts to address them. 
• explore the role of human interactions with the environment and how those interactions are at the root of many global problems. 

Language scholarships

In addition to scholarships available from NAU, the College of Arts and Letters awards more than $2 million in scholarships each year with special awards for students studying languages. Explore all scholarships and see what you may qualify for on ScholarshipUniverse. 

Student clubs and organizations

Language clubs and tables

Turn what you’re learning into real conversations, shared meals, and lifelong connections with other students who are just as passionate about languages as you are. 

Dedicated support

Center for International Education

Cultures, ideas, and friendships cross borders at NAU’s Center for International Education (CIE), the hub of NAU’s global community. CIE connects people and perspectives from around the world, helping international students succeed and giving all Lumberjacks the chance to experience the world through a wider lens. From international support to global festivals and study opportunities, NAU is where your global education journey begins. 

Study Abroad

Why just learn about the world when you can live it? Spend a summer, semester, or year exploring a new country. You’ll earn credit while discovering life in Costa Rica, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, and beyond. Choose a faculty-led program for an immersive, guided experience, or go on an exchange where you’ll explore independently and learn first-hand (all while paying regular NAU tuition and keeping your financial aid). Wherever you go, you’ll return with a global perspective, confidence, and stories that will inspire others. 

Interdisciplinary Global Programs

Blend language, culture, and career in one epic college experience with Interdisciplinary Global Programs (IGP). IGP students study everywhere from Japan to Spain and Germany to Chile building skills that translate anywhere.  

• Earn two degrees in just 4.5–5 years. 
• Spend a full year abroad. 
• Intern in your chosen field. 

Global Engagement and Language Learning Center

When you study language and culture at NAU, you’re never learning alone. The Global Engagement and Language Learning Center (GELL) is an on-campus hub for conversation practice, language games, study resources, and community connection.

Faculty mentorship

You’ll learn from world-class professors with global experience and a passion for teaching. They’ll challenge you to think bigger, mentor you to reach your goals, and connect you with opportunities that will expand your world, both on campus and abroad.