By Parisa Burton
Opinions Editor
As per the College Core, all programs within the School of Humanities and Social Sciences require students to take a second language to graduate. Select majors across other schools implement this requirement as well. However, no single major in the School of Business under the Bachelor of Science currently requires a foreign language to graduate.
Learning a foreign language is only required for Economics – Bachelor of Arts, Global Business I, which combines a business major and International Studies Minor, and Global Business II, combining a business major with a dual major in IS. It is also required for students who wish to achieve a business certificate in Spanish, Chinese, French, German, Italian or Japanese. Nearly all business majors, including accounting, finance, interdisciplinary business, management, marketing and economics — Bachelor of Science, do not have a foreign language requirement.
I always found it surprising that I, a marketing major, would not need to take a foreign language during my time at the College. Yes, it’s less work for me, but I never considered it quite fair for my friends in other schools, where a foreign language seemed less applicable to their future career.
Select majors in the School of Arts and Communication are required to take a foreign language to graduate. Interactive multimedia, also known as IMM, majors, for example, are required to take three semesters of a second language unless they have tested out through a placement exam or with AP scores. With its emphasis on technology and digital media, I can’t quite grasp how a foreign language requirement fits in this context, but not a business context.
“IMM primarily focuses on developing creative technological skills and communication skills to understand user experience,” said Kyle Duverger, a junior IMM major. “There are positions where having an extra language in your arsenal can be helpful, but through my past internship positions, it’s never been a skill searched for or needed to get the job done.”
On the contrary, nearly all business majors will likely face a global opportunity in their future careers that will require at least a basic understanding of international markets. According to the School of Business itself, “Even a primarily domestic firm can encounter an unexpected opportunity – a new supplier or customer – outside the United States.”
“Even a basic grasp of another language builds cultural awareness, which is invaluable when working with people of different backgrounds,” said Valerie Heifez, a junior finance major. “This awareness helps avoid misunderstandings and builds trust, qualities that really set business professionals apart.”
While taking a foreign language will not turn a native English speaker into a bilingual genius, it can provide them a foundation for success. This requirement will offer an incentive for students to continue learning a foreign language, even after they satisfy the requirement. Those that chose this route will likely achieve higher success in the business world and build stronger relationships with international clients. According to Workforce Essentials, multilingual people earn five to 20 percent more on average compared to monolinguals.
“The world is becoming increasingly interdependent, and knowing multiple languages can open the door to significantly more career opportunities, such as international trade, marketing and consulting,” said Omar Roldan, a junior finance major.
While language-learning is a great opportunity, I also recognize how its curriculum is not tailored to different majors, which can lead some students to question its relevance.
Economics – Bachelor of Arts is currently the only major in the School of Business that requires a foreign language.
“I took three semesters of French and learned nothing that relates to my major…I feel like there should be a class on how certain majors look in different countries,” said Evan Fisher, a junior economics major. “I feel like if I took a class on the economy of France or a French speaking country I would have gained more.”
While country-specific business courses would make this requirement even more rewarding, I can imagine this would be quite difficult to implement considering how many different disciplines there are at the College. However, even if a student never becomes fluent in the language, this knowledge will still foster a sense of cultural appreciation and understanding that will carry into their business career.
Potential clients outside the U.S. will prefer to work with someone who is open-minded and receptive to diverse perspectives, rather than someone who insists their viewpoint is the only valid approach. While not every student will pursue learning outside the classroom, those that do will make all the difference in creating a more dynamic business environment.
Although there is an international business requirement in place for business students, I believe that this should be complemented with a foreign language requirement as well.
My experience studying abroad in Italy taught me the value of language learning. Initially hesitant, I took a two-week required Italian language course that changed my perspective. By being immersed in the language and culture, I felt inspired to learn more, especially being surrounded by native speakers. I felt more respected when I at least made an attempt to speak the language instead of relying on locals to accommodate me in their country.
In the business context, I believe that even simple gestures like greeting individuals from different backgrounds in their native language can make a significant difference. People value mutual respect, and making an effort to help people feel more comfortable can foster more meaningful connections and ultimately generate more clients.
“It’s more than just the language itself — it’s about understanding the nuances that foster an inclusive, respectful atmosphere,” Heifez said. “It demonstrates a willingness to meet others halfway, creating warmer, more respectful first impressions.”
I am convinced that incorporating a foreign language requirement into The School of Business would help students develop a deeper understanding of a second language and inspire them to broaden their skills or refresh their memory whenever they come across a client or coworker of this background.
