Russian and East European StudiesWelcome to the Department of Russian and East European Studies Language Program!
Knowing a second language opens the door to world cultures and communicating without constraints—but it is more than that. Few things in education compare to having your first meaningful dialog in a new language, composing a text without the help of a dictionary, or just being able to read aloud a text written in an unfamiliar alphabet. It doesn’t matter in what language. The study of language as such brings joy. Why? Because learning a language is playful and empowering. It’s full of wonder, discovery, and creativity. We find new ways to understand the world and create meaning just by speaking to our classmates in the language classroom. Is that silly or essential? It’s both—it’s a kind of game that shapes our mind and culture, just like learning our first language as children.
That’s why language study is at the heart of liberal education. Everything it aims to do to sharpen our thinking, grow our creativity, and stretch our intelligence happens through the work of learning and using language, not only in literature but in everyday expression and interpretation.
Penn’s philosophy sees the competence in foreign languages and cultures as essential to the success of any educated person in today’s global world, no matter what major you choose. This philosophy is reflected in REES major and minor programs, our language course offerings, and co-curricular programming.
Our program offers courses in a wide range of languages spoken in our area of expertise, some offered through REES, others administered by Penn Language Center. Consult the Language Program Director at https://rees.sas.upenn.edu/people/mila-nazyrova or the Undergraduate Studies Chair to discuss which language courses might a good fit for your major or minor program.
As the job market increasingly demands candidates who can function professionally in multiple languages, we encourage our students to begin studying a language as early as possible in their college careers to achieve a higher level of proficiency by graduation. Students are also encouraged to use opportunities for study abroad and language and cultural immersion whenever possible, as it will provide them with unique opportunities to truly immerse themselves in foreign language and cultures.
Our languages:
