There are 40 million Spanish speakers in the United States, and the Spanish-speaking population is growing rapidly. With over 400 million speakers, Spanish is the second most commonly spoken language in the world. Spanish is an official language on four continents and is a native language in 21 countries, including the United States.
As a Spanish major at Ohio Wesleyan, you will acquire the ability to read, write, and converse in Spanish at a proficient level, while also gaining an understanding and appreciation of the diverse cultures that make up the Hispanic world. At the advanced level, you will have the opportunity to take courses that delve deeper into a variety of topics related to the Spanish language, cultures, literatures, and cinemas, in their specific sociohistorical and geographical contexts, and in dialogue with other languages spoken in Latin America and Spain.
In some courses you will learn to analyze and interpret authentic cultural materials with an awareness of the sociocultural, historical and political contexts in which cultural and artistic productions take place. In other courses, you have the chance to think about language scientifically as you study topics in linguistics ranging from the sounds and structures of Spanish to language acquisition and bilingualism.
All Spanish majors must satisfy an immersion requirement. This can be done in one of the following ways:
Beginning in Fall 2025, the Department of World Languages and Cultures will award college credit to incoming students who have earned the Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish. Students who present the Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish upon entry shall be exempt from SPAN 110 and 111 and granted one unit of credit for SPAN 225. This means they will have satisfied the "Learn a Second Language" core competency requirement.
They will also have one unit of credit (SPAN 225) toward a Spanish major or minor.
They will not be required to take the placement test but are encouraged to sign up for an intermediate-level Spanish course (SPAN 226, 250, 310, or 350), if they wish to continue their language study.
OWU language students now can earn the Global Seal of Biliteracy, an internationally recognized credential that allows them to highlight their linguistic achievements when applying for jobs or graduate school.
Pamplona is a small medium-size city (population: 300,000). It has a local airport with direct daily flights to Madrid and Frankfurt (Germany). Very well connected by rapid trains (ALVIA) to Madrid, Barcelona and other cities. It is also close to the other four major Spanish cities: San Sebastián, Vitoria, Logroño, and Zaragoza.
In Pamplona, students will spend a semester at one of Spain's prestigious universities, the University of Navarra. The University of Navarra is a private institution, number one overall in educational innovation and number three in Europe, after Oxford and Cambridge, in teaching quality (Times Higher Education Ranking 2019).
Travel-Learning Courses combine classroom study with travel to areas of the world where you may study the issues discussed in class in the settings where those events are occurring. If you have an aptitude for Spanish, you also may benefit from trips sponsored by other departments to such destinations as Mexico, Argentina, or Peru.
You may compete for a University-funded Theory-to-Practice Grant to support your independent research almost anywhere in the world.
The class traveled to Barcelona and Baztán Valley with Dr. Eva Paris.
The class traveled to Barcelona and Baztán Valley with Dr. Eva Paris.
The class traveled to Barcelona and Baztán Valley with Dr. Eva Paris.
The class traveled to Barcelona and Baztán Valley with Dr. Eva Paris.
The class traveled to Barcelona and Baztán Valley with Dr. Eva Paris.
The class traveled to Barcelona and Baztán Valley with Dr. Eva Paris.
Undergraduate research, performed under the mentorship of expert faculty, is a central component of The OWU Connection.
We emphasize intellectual curiosity, creativity, initiative, and synthesis. OWU provides opportunities, including travel abroad and Theory-to-Practice Grant funding, for you to examine an existing problem or dig into a new avenue of exploration. You can present your research at the Student Symposium in the spring.
Every year Ohio Wesleyan hosts Film Festivals and Series, showcasing award-winning and internationally acclaimed films in their original languages. Screenings are followed by live discussions with students and guest artists. Admission is free for all films, which also feature English subtitles.
VIVA is a cultural group / club that seeks to foster understanding of Latin American cultures and issues on the OWU campus, as well as to provide programs and venues through which the campus can get involved. All students with interest and willingness to participate are welcome and encouraged to join, regardless of ethnic backgrounds and experiences.
LA CASA is a Small Living Unit (SLU) that seeks to bring together the students who come from different Latin American countries to promote inclusivity within the community and to encourage each other personally, culturally, socially, and academically. LA CASA is a safe and welcoming place for all our identifying Latin students, as well as any other student who is excited to learn, embrace, and promote Latin American, Hispanic, and Latinx cultures on campus.
House of Linguistic Diversity (HOLD) is a Small Living Unit (SLU) that promotes cultural diversity through language, encourages language learning among the Ohio Wesleyan and Delaware communities, and provides a safe space for multicultural people to share their diverse experiences. HOLD opposes the political exacerbation of linguistic minorities. They welcome students and native speakers of non-English languages who are dedicated to improving multicultural awareness and understanding.
Sales Director of Inflatable Solutions Group; Co-founder of Cardinal Landscapes
MAJOR(S): Spanish and International Business
OWU CONNECTION EXPERIENCE: The WLC Department is the perfect complement for a Business Major
Ohio Wesleyan Senior Translates Play from Spanish to English, Works with Theatrical Production
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Ohio Wesleyan Senior Completes Internship at University Navarra Museum in Pamplona
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Spanish majors Samantha Merino ’21 and Austin Strayer ’20 visited Argentina with faculty member Andrea Colvin to study the country’s "culture of remembrance." Their experience was supported by The OWU Connection.
The Department of Modern Foreign Languages is housed in iconic University Hall.
Charlie Kottler '18, an International Business major and Spanish minor, studied entrepreneurship, international marketing, and Spanish linguistics and culture during a semester in Seville, Spain.
