Careers in Spanish
Spanish is spoken by over 400 million people, making it one of the world’s major languages. It is the national language of twenty-three Latin American countries and the second language of the USA, which is itself the fourth largest Spanish-speaking country. As one of the six official languages of the United Nations, Spanish is also a major European language.
It is not only demographic factors which make Spanish so important; its cultural impact is also without parallel. Spain has undergone considerable social transformations since its transition to democracy, making it an exciting and vibrant culture to study. Furthermore, the countries of Latin America, although unified by the Spanish language, offer an exceptionally rich and varied body of literary and cultural production.
Within the Faculty of Arts, Spanish combines well with disciplines such as Linguistics, Fine Arts, History, English, Politics, and other languages. Spanish (as part of a B.A. degree) may also be combined with degrees from other faculties such as Law, Music, Engineering, Medicine, Science, Economics and Commerce, and Education. Undergraduate students from all faculties can study Spanish concurrently with their degree by enrolling in the Diploma of Modern Languages (Spanish).
The Spanish section places a strong emphasis on locating language instruction within its cultural context and on using interactive and task-based activities. A diverse range of materials, such as film, television, radio, music, literature, and the Internet, make classes varied and stimulating. The study of language and culture is an important factor in the intellectual development of students. Graduates in Spanish are equipped, by virtue of their specialised linguistic and intellectual training, to enter a wide range of professions including the public service, the diplomatic service, and international bodies. Spanish graduates also have the opportunity to undertake additional training in areas such as interpreting, journalism, librarianship, and teaching. There are also employment opportunities in areas such as radio and television, the airline industry, public relations, travel and tourism, and business.