Mission and Objectives
The Spanish language is more than words; it’s the living story of over 500 million people around the world. By connecting our students to the language and the vibrant cultures of this global community, our program helps them gain a deeper understanding of themselves, their worldview, and humanity. The Department of Spanish at Wake Forest empowers students to become global citizens through the development of language skills, cultural and linguistic analysis, and intercultural competence. We offer students diverse opportunities to engage with the Spanish language, including a wide range of courses, concentrations, research, internships, and study abroad. Whether students want to communicate with clients, friends or their abuela, we help them get there–not just with words, but with true human connection and understanding.
What You’ll Learn in the Spanish Major
As a Spanish major, you’ll develop real-world language skills, discover the richness of Hispanic cultures, and understand how language itself evolves and varies. Upon graduation, our curriculum will have helped you build the skills to communicate confidently, think critically about culture, and understand how the Spanish language works and differs around the world. The outcomes below describe what you’ll learn and accomplish in the program.
Communicate with Confidence
You’ll reach an Advanced Low level of Spanish proficiency according to the standards set by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), which means you’ll learn to follow complex conversations and texts, express your ideas clearly, and engage naturally in discussions and presentations. You’ll practice understanding stories and arguments, building your vocabulary, and connecting ideas smoothly. You’ll be able to:
Understand:
- Follow the main ideas and details in conversations, films, and written texts.
- Recognize story settings, key events, and arguments in complex materials.
Interact:
- Hold spontaneous conversations on a variety of familiar and general interest topics.
- Ask and answer questions naturally and keep the conversation going.
Present:
- Give organized, detailed presentations and write essays that express your ideas clearly.
- Support your opinions with evidence and use transitions to connect ideas smoothly.
Explore and Understand Culture
You’ll analyze and interpret cultural creations, from novels and films to music and social movements. You’ll explore how history, geography, and politics shape culture, and you’ll reflect on your own experiences and assumptions as you engage with Spanish-speaking communities. You’ll be able to:
Analyze:
- Describe and interpret literature, film, art, and other cultural products.
- Identify key themes, voices, and creative techniques.
Contextualize:
- Connect what you study to the history, geography, and society of Spanish-speaking regions.
- Compare perspectives and understand how they inform artistic expression.
Reflect:
- Think critically about your own reactions to cultural experiences.
- Recognize personal biases and learn to appreciate different points of view.
Understand How Language Works
You’ll also dive into the language itself —how sounds, words, and sentences work, and why Spanish differs across regions and generations. You’ll learn to recognize dialects, explore social influences on language, and reflect on your own communication style as you continue to grow as a bilingual speaker. You’ll be able to:
Analyze:
- Recognize patterns in pronunciation, word formation, and grammar.
- Distinguish between how people actually speak (descriptive) and how they “should” speak (prescriptive).
Contextualize:
- Identify how factors like region, age, and social background shape language use.
- Explain why the Spanish language sounds or works differently in different places.
Reflect:
- Notice differences between your Spanish and that of native speakers.
- Adjust your language use depending on audience and context.
- Set goals to keep improving your skills.