Did you know that Spanish is the second world language as a vehicle of international communication and the third as an international language of politics, economics and culture? Or that about 330 million people in the world speak Spanish as their first language? Or that Spanish is the official language in 21 countries? Or that Spanish is expected to be the first language of 50% of the population of the United States within 50 years?

Duke students interested in learning Spanish can start studying the language at the beginning level or can continue their study of Spanish by placing into the appropriate level when they arrive at Duke. The department sponsors two summer study abroad programs (Duke in Spain and Duke in Barcelona) and two semester/year study abroad programs (Duke in Madrid and Duke in the Andes). Students are encouraged to plan early in order to attain an advanced level in Spanish and to work into their study plans the possibility of studying abroad in a Spanish-speaking country.