Department of Modern Languages and Cultures
Overview
Language and cultural skills are crucial in today’s globalized economy and society and are valued across nearly all industries. The Department of Modern Languages and Cultures is committed to preparing students for active participation in a global society by providing coursework that deepens understanding of different languages and cultures. Students are able to complete an immersion or minor in any of the 10 languages offered by the department, or complete a bachelor’s degree in applied modern language and culture in Chinese, Japanese, French, or Spanish. The department also prepares students to participate in global experiences, such as study or work abroad.
9
Languages taught: ASL, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish
23
Minor and immersion options: ASL, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Language Science, Latino/Latina/Latin American Studies,Russian, and Spanish
100%
Of students in the undergraduate degree program complete an international experience
Latest News
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October 7, 2026
Rochester Public Market hosts Italian Heritage Day with food, culture and genealogy
WHAM-TV features RIT students taking part in Rochester’s annual Italian Heritage Day, helping teach Italian language lessons while celebrating the region’s Italian culture and traditions.
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October 7, 2026
Italian Heritage Day returns to Rochester with food, entertainment, and language lessons
WHEC-TV highlights RIT students participating in Rochester’s fourth annual Italian Heritage Day, where they led language lessons and connected with the local Italian American community through food, culture, and conversation.
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May 22, 2026
COLA graduate Aidan Alldridge ’26 is headed to Japan
Aidan has been awarded a highly competitive position as a Coordinator for International Relations through the JET Program.
Featured Work and Profiles
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Bridging Language and Business for a Global Career
Avi Strohmeyer’s move into Chinese studies was a natural evolution given her love for languages. What she didn't expect at RIT was the ease of finding her people: a circle of likeminded...
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Co-op & Internship Spotlight: Connecting Tech, Accessibility, and Marketing
As a Digital Marketing Intern at Oticon Medical, Sarah Sabal combined her passion for communication and accessibility to support marketing efforts for hearing implant devices. Her work helped her gain...
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Flexible Curriculum Made Double Majoring Perfectly Possible
Flexible Curriculum Made Double Majoring Perfectly Possible ’25 When Tori Russell enrolled at RIT, she had planned to at least pursue a minor in French, but she soon seized the opportunity to go for it as a double major. In biotechnology and French, she found the...
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Double the Possibilities for this 2025 Grad
Double the Possibilities for this 2025 Grad Meet Adrienne Sanza, a May 2025 grad whose RIT experience included two majors, two minors, and two transformative study abroad experiences.
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2024 Fulbright Scholar: Sarah Sabal
Sabel, a double major in applied modern language and culture (Chinese option) and marketing, will pursue her graduate education at National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan.
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RIT Graduate Awarded Prestigious Fulbright to Teach in Kosovo
After earning a double major in applied modern language and culture (Spanish) and international and global studies, D’Anthony will travel to a university in Kosovo for a 10-month...
Read More about RIT Graduate Awarded Prestigious Fulbright to Teach in Kosovo
Undergraduate Programs
Students complete a language and cultural track in Chinese, Japanese, or Spanish along with a coursework in a technical or professional discipline such as computing, information technology, engineering, business, health sciences, art and design, or science, often leading to a minor or double major in that area. A required international experience immerses you in the language, culture, and traditions of your chosen track.
Modern Languages Technology Center
The MLTC provides a broad range of services for faculty and students related to language instruction. This includes facility maintenance, room reservation, equipment loans, curriculum development assistance, professional development opportunities and more. The MLTC is home to a library of audio files and foreign-language films, many of which are available to stream remotely. Additionally, the MLTC has computers tailored for use in foreign languages.
Student Resources
Language Proficiency Exam Support
Contact your Language Program Director to apply for support to take the DELE, HSK, DELF, or JLPT.
Awards
- Ulrike Stroszeck Memorial Award: Awarded annually for outstanding student in German
- Modern Languages and Cultures Writing Award: Awarded for excellence in student writing in a course offered by Modern Language and Cultures