The world community is shrinking and multicultural studies are being increasingly stressed in American universities. Meanwhile, the number of Spanish speaking Americans is steadily growing making Spanish the second national language of the United States. Students who become proficient in a second or third language inevitably discover not only the key to a new linguistic system, but an appreciation of the culture and civilization of its native speakers. At Stony Brook, culture and language are taught simultaneously even in the most elementary language classes.
Language classes are interactive and taught almost entirely in the target language.
The majority of teachers are native speakers from a variety of countries including Spain, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, among others. The study of Spanish at Stony Brook is a rewarding endeavor that can lead to a challenging career, graduate language or literature studies, or simply the enhancement of linguistic skills. The goal of the program is to provide students with an appropriate cultural, literary and linguistic expertise in order to enhance careers in teaching and research, communications, social services, financial services, medicine, foreign trade, business, translation and interpretation, law and government. Today, there are very few profissions in which Spanish would not be considered a valuable asset. Majors follow a program leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish.