Spanish
Available as a major, minor or concentration
Spoken by approximately 572 million people, Spanish is the fourth most commonly used language worldwide.
With a major or minor in Spanish, you'll be prepared for an increasingly global future. Students are primed for a wide range of careers in business, international relations, health care, education, social services, law, criminal justice and political science.
We also offer a concentration in Spanish for the Global Professions & Translation.
Curriculum & Courses
Sample Course Offerings
SPAN 304: Spanish for Oral Communication
SPAN 330: Spanish for Business
SPAN 332: Spanish for Healthcare
SPAN 335: The Sounds of Spanish
SPAN 381: Translation & Interpretation
Student Experiences
Yucatán Semester Program
Roanoke has a special semester-long, faculty-led program in the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. Students take classes with their professor, go on cultural excursions, experience language immersion and perform service projects. Learn more.
Learn By Doing
Play 'Madre Tierra' hosted by the Modern Languages Department
Students performed in "Madre Tierra," a Spanish-language play by Eduardo Cabrera. The play examines the effects of globalization, and specifically biofuel markets, on local farming in indigenous communities. Mayan poet Sasil Sánchez Chan provided an introduction at the event, explaining the importance of corn in Mayan culture. An audience discussion concluded the show.
One-on-one research leads to presenting at a national conference
Community Engagement
Lots to do here
- Join HOLA, our student club.
- Get inducted to Sigma Delta Pi, the Spanish honor society.
- Come dance and meet others at our salsa dancing workshops.
- Attend the annual Dia de los Muertos party.
Study Abroad
Recent Travels
Careers & Outcomes
Creating Connection Through Language
"My love for Spanish started early in my schooling career. I had many Hispanic friends in middle school, but they always spoke Spanish amongst themselves. I couldn’t understand them, so I started taking Spanish classes.
"I enjoyed taking Spanish in high school but coming into college I had no aspirations of becoming a Spanish minor. I took the required Spanish classes for graduation and was about to call it quits.
"Then, I spoke with my Spanish professor at the time, and she convinced me that a minor in Spanish would complement my business administration major well. As a result, I declared the minor and haven’t looked back since. Through the Spanish program at Roanoke College, I have gained confidence in my abilities and learned how to communicate with people from around the world.
"My goal is to open my own business where I can contribute profits to charities in Latin American countries and live out my purpose of helping and getting to know as many people as possible."
— Kasey Draper, Class of 2023 co-valedictorian, now pursuing his MBA
Our grads go on to great graduate schools
Faculty
News
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The annual conference will bring together students, faculty and community leaders to explore important aspects of racial justice, AI ethics and more.
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Roanoke College’s Model UN and Model Arab League team has been nabbing awards since returning to competition post-pandemic.
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In honor of International Education Week, we talked with Maroons who were able to live and study in Argentina, Ireland, Korea, Italy and Spain — a slice of the 50+ countries around the world where Roanoke has partners.