Discover. Learn. Connect.
At Duke University, we celebrate linguistic diversity and the power of language to open doors to new cultures, histories, and communities. Our Less Commonly Taught Languages (LCTL) programs offer students and community members the chance to explore languages beyond the usual curriculum, fostering both academic growth and intercultural understanding.
Duke University, the University of Virginia, and Vanderbilt University have partnered to offer courses in languages not often taught in the Western academic curriculum through a shared course initiative. Classes are taught synchronously via Zoom, combining students from all three campuses into one section. Courses are offered at the elementary, intermediate, and in some cases advanced levels, and fulfill world language requirements at each university.
Why Learn an LCTL at Duke?
- Cultural Connection: Learn more than grammar—experience the lives, traditions, and perspectives of speakers.
- Community Engagement: Join language tables, cultural events, and exchange programs with native speakers.
- Academic Excellence: Our programs provide rigorous instruction while fostering a supportive, immersive environment.
Currently, Duke offers Haitian Creole, Turkish, and Cherokee. The University of Virginia offers Swahili, and Vanderbilt University offers K’iche’ Maya. The first (Elementary I) and third (Intermediate I) semester of each language is offered every fall, and the second (Elementary II) and fourth (Intermediate II) semester courses are offered each spring. In these classes, students learn to speak the language, and study it in its cultural as well as historical contexts. Courses are open to both undergraduate and graduate students.
