Spanish

Why a spanish major?

More than 20 million people speak Spanish in the United States, making it the fifth largest Spanish-speaking country in the world. The Spanish major at LaGrange is designed to provide students with a working proficiency in Spanish and a familiarity with the cultures in which it is spoken, including the 21 countries of Latin America, Spain and parts of Africa.

What will I study besides the language?
The Spanish major progresses from courses in basic language skills through intermediate and advanced courses in conversation, grammar and composition to the study of the masterpieces of Spanish and Latin American literature, representative Hispanic films and the historical and contemporary civilizations of Spain and Latin America. Other offerings include profession-based Spanish courses such as Business Spanish and Spanish for Early Childhood and Elementary School Teachers.

Stephanie Rohas
Stephanie Roahs It was love at first sight for Stephanie Rojas.

When she was awarded a full-ride scholarship from a foundation in her home country of Costa Rica, she was given a list of five colleges in the United States where she could study. She went online to check them out.

“I don’t know exactly what it was, but the second I saw the LaGrange College website, I just fell in love with the school and knew it was where I wanted to be,” she says.

What about language-specific vocations?

Spanish degree graduates excel in a variety of satisfying careers, including:

Counseling/Social Services – There is a great need for bilingual counselors and social workers. Most of these positions require a master's degree in a human services field such as social work, counseling, mental health or psychology, although some positions require only a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Sales/Marketing – The change in demographics brings about the potential for new markets and new consumers. Desiring to tap into this market, advertisers, retailers and marketing researchers are desperate to find individuals who are familiar with the Latino community and fluent in both Spanish and English.

Medicine/Health Care – Many medical clinics and health centers are in need of bilingual doctors, nurses, office personnel and individuals who can translate, educate and handle patient complaints and concerns.

Education – Bilingual/ESL teachers and principals fluent in Spanish are in great demand. To teach, one will need a B.A. in the specific area in which he or she will be teaching plus classroom certification. Principals are typically required to have an advanced degree in Education or Educational Leadership.
American's changing demographics are also prompting new work opportunities in fields such as real estate, banking, Foreign Service, government, travel & tourism, law and ministry.