At UAB, you will learn more than just how to speak Spanish; you will learn about the cultures, civilizations, and literatures of the Spanish-speaking world. This global and cultural competency will benefit your future career. Spanish is the second language of the United States and is an excellent choice for advancing a career in any field. Our students have gone on to graduate or professional schools and employment in the fields of business, education, government, industry, international relations, law, medicine, publishing, translation, and interpretation.
Hear from a Student:
"I study Spanish because I love the language, the culture, and how languages connect people to each other. Originally, I was a nursing major with a minor in Spanish, but as I took my Spanish classes I discovered my passion for the language and its literature. I cultivated this passion by participating in my classes, as well as regularly attending office hours to discuss relevant readings outside of the course materials.
After I graduate, I plan to pursue my masters and doctorate degrees while researching the relationship between pronouns and gender identities. Eventually, I would like to work as a professor in a university to instill the same appreciation of languages and cultural diversity in my students as was taught to me by the incredible professors I have had. These professors have challenged me academically and encouraged me to explore my interests; I would not be the student I am today if it were not for the professional role models I have had. This is my opportunity to repay the community for the positive experiences I had, by aiding the students of the next generation in finding their passions as I have found mine."
—Jennifer Broome (Recipient of the Life-Long Learning Scholarship)
What Can You Expect?
Learning Spanish is not just learning grammar and vocabulary. It is learning how to interact in another culture and experiencing a new community from the inside.
- Diverse courses: Courses with a communicative approach and diverse foci are offered at every level.
- Professional interest: Courses for the professions such as medicine, business, and translation provide the necessary knowledge to meet professional goals.
- Education abroad: There are several summer abroad programs in Spain and Latin America that offer the opportunity to experience immersion in the language and culture.
Should You Continue Studying Spanish after High School?
Your knowledge gained in high school is a foundation for further study. Grow in your knowledge and language competency. Use Spanish at your job. Seek out opportunities to use it in your community. Take more courses and study abroad opens a new website for a summer, a semester, or a year.
Will Spanish Help Your Career?
Many businesses collaborate with companies in Spanish-speaking countries. They need employees who can communicate in Spanish and understand the culture. No matter your career, if you’ve learned Spanish, you’ll have a real advantage.
Mr. Larry Bachus was the first Spanish major in the department. Learn how Larry used Spanish in his career opens a new website to open up opportunities for success.
Are You Interested in Another Major?
Typically, students majoring in World Languages and Literatures with a concentration in Spanish have more than one major or a compliment of minors. Why? It allows you to craft an educational experience focused on the career you want. Our students have chosen double majors or minors in pre-health, nursing, education, anthropology, communication studies, business, and international studies, just to give a few examples.
Programs
Questions?
Contact Julián Arribas, PhD, for Spanish, or Lourdes Sánchez-López, PhD, for Applied Professional Spanish and the Spanish for Specific Purposes certificate.
Faculty
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Lourdes Sánchez-López
Professor of Spanish; Department Associate Chair;
Director, Spanish for Specific PurposesThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
University Hall 3168
(205) 934-8281