Languages

“Africa invented language.”

–Ali Mazrui, Kenyan scholar

The University of Wisconsin-Madison has long been considered a leader in the field of language education and ranks number one in the nation for students earning a bachelor’s degree in language other than English (National Center for Educational Statistics, U.S. Dept. of Education).

The Department of African Cultural Studies is home to one of the oldest African languages programs in the United States and has offered many languages over the last fifty years. Currently, we regularly offer four languages: Arabic, Swahili, Wolof, and Yoruba.

Additional highlights of the African Cultural Studies program:

~ We offer small class sizes with more opportunity for participation and cultural exchange.
~ African language study enables students to participate in unique study abroad and international internship experiences.
~ There are a number of scholarships available to fund language study.
~ Multilingual students expand their networks for career exploration and employment.

We also offer monitored self-instructional opportunities for graduate students through two courses, Theories and Methods of Learning a Less Commonly Taught Language and Directed Study of a Less Commonly Taught Language.  Through these courses, students can study any African language not offered in a typical classroom setting.

Every spring we host a festival through which our students showcase their knowledge of African languages, literatures, and cultures.

If you have prior experience with an African language, please contact Adeola Agoke (adeola.agoke@wisc.edu)  for enrollment guidance.