Study Languages

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Why study Languages at Flinders?

Prepare for a global career.

Study Languages to explore how culture and the ways we communicate enable us to express ourselves, create new things, make sense of our surroundings, and connect with each other. Languages are available to all Flinders students and you'll have the option to take your language abroad with international exchange opportunities in second and third year.

Whether you study French, Indonesian, Italian, Modern Greek, or Spanish, at Flinders you'll be studying in a supportive, friendly environment with small class sizes. You'll become a competent and open-minded intercultural communicator with great transferable skills, guided by our teaching team who are leaders in language education. You'll build your confidence in placement opportunities with our range of industry partners, including tourism industry leaders, communication, government, radio stations and other community organisations, allowing you to put your learning into action and forge a career with an international focus.

Join our community of Flinders graduates who have successful careers in areas such as tourism, foreign language teaching, business, marketing, international trade, finance and commerce, translating services, and diplomatic and defence agencies.

You can also study Chinese, German or Japanese cross-institutionally.

Follow your passions at Flinders. Explore your study options at Bedford Park, the city and online.

Courses available in Languages

New course Available online City Campus

Undergraduate

Majors

Honours

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) 1 year

Postgraduate

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

Higher degree by research

Ranked No.1 in SA
in Communications for learning experience, overall educational experience and teaching quality.

^{(The Good Universities Guide 2025 (undergraduate), public SA-founded universities only)}

What can you study?

Bachelor of Languages

Major in Applied Linguistics

Major in French

Major in Indonesian

Major in Italian

Major in Modern Greek

Major in Spanish

Diploma in Language

Postgraduate TESOL

Study a language at Flinders

Here are some of the ways you can learn a language at Flinders:

You're an enrolled student (or wanting to enrol)? Add a language to your degree with one of the following options:

Language major/minor

Develop strong language skills combined with a sound cultural understanding by studying a three-year sequence as part of a dedicated Bachelor degree.

Add a language major or minor to any of the below degrees:

Bachelor of Languages

Bachelor of Arts

Diploma in Language

Language elective

Study a language as an elective as part of most undergraduate degrees offered at Flinders if you’re interested in travel or pursuing a career overseas.

Culture elective

Immerse yourself in the culture of your interest with a culture elective as part of most undergraduate degrees at Flinders. These topics are taught in English, meaning you do not require previous knowledge of the language. Culture options include Greek Mythology, Italian Mafia, French Gastronomy, Indonesian Politics and Hispanic Art.

Diploma in Language

If you don't have enrolment space for an elective within your degree or would like to study a further language, you can add a Diploma in Language.

The Diploma in Language is a language program equivalent to a major (36 units) that you study concurrently to your main degree and can start in first or second year.

Please note that adding 36 units of language to your overall study load will add one extra year of study.

The Diploma in Language can also be completed as a stand-alone program without the need to be enrolled in another degree.

Diploma in Language

You're a Year 12 high school student looking to learn a language? Start your language journey now:

Extension Studies

The Extension Studies Program provides a taste of university life for high-achieving South Australian senior secondary school students while also giving the opportunity to complement and extend their SACE or International Baccalaureate studies.

Extension Studies

You're not enrolled at university but still want to learn a language at Flinders:

Non-award topic

Non-award study is the opportunity to enrol in a topic without admission to a degree or course of study. This usually suits professionals who wish to demonstrate competence in a study area or pursue personal interest. Students participate in all class requirements and complete assessment to receive a final grade; however, the topic is not counted towards a specific degree.

Non-award topic

Which overseas options do I have with Languages?

Take your study global with a semester exchange.

Living and studying abroad presents you with the unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture while continuing your tertiary study at one of Flinders University’s 70+ overseas partner universities. You could choose to do one or two semesters – it’s up to you.

In French and Modern Greek, we also offer intensive overseas study programs (subject to availability) for which you can receive credits towards your degree.

Why wait until you graduate to see the world? An outbound exchange is one of the best things you can do to broaden your horizons. Let our program offer you the educational adventure of a lifetime.

Global exchange options

Gain two qualifications in just 1.5 years of extra study with a combined degree.

Flinders combined degree options can help you pursue multiple passions and graduate with two degrees to broaden your career opportunities.

Explore all combined degrees

Gain two qualifications in just 1.5 years of extra study with a combined degree.

Flinders combined degree options can help you pursue multiple passions and graduate with two degrees to broaden your career opportunities.

Explore all combined degrees

Hear from our students

Arundhati Banerjee - Bachelor of Arts (French)

What excited me to take up a language as one of my topics was to use it in my HASS degree as an add-on, that would benefit my learning in my chosen field.

I chose French as I was always interested in learning the language and it is a widely spoken language that can be used in numerous fields. I took beginner French as I was a novice to the language and found it a good stepping stone to learning the language and the culture of the country.

The classes were an immersive experience of learning the grammar and culture that were provided by the capable French professors in our language department.

Ellaine Dela Cruz - Master of TESOL

I was on the lookout for a university that focuses on hands-on learning that will prepare me to attain a superior level of expertise and acquire depth of knowledge in the field of TESOL, and this is offered by Flinders University.

Furthermore, it offers flexible modes of study which allows students to either study online, face-to-face or a combination of the two. Moreover, its objectives to empower its students to achieve their maximum potential and make a difference in the field of education mirrors my own goal, thus Flinders University was my top choice.

Arundhati Banerjee - Bachelor of Arts (French)

What excited me to take up a language as one of my topics was to use it in my HASS degree as an add-on, that would benefit my learning in my chosen field.

I chose French as I was always interested in learning the language and it is a widely spoken language that can be used in numerous fields. I took beginner French as I was a novice to the language and found it a good stepping stone to learning the language and the culture of the country.

The classes were an immersive experience of learning the grammar and culture that were provided by the capable French professors in our language department.

Ellaine Dela Cruz - Master of TESOL

I was on the lookout for a university that focuses on hands-on learning that will prepare me to attain a superior level of expertise and acquire depth of knowledge in the field of TESOL, and this is offered by Flinders University.

Furthermore, it offers flexible modes of study which allows students to either study online, face-to-face or a combination of the two. Moreover, its objectives to empower its students to achieve their maximum potential and make a difference in the field of education mirrors my own goal, thus Flinders University was my top choice.

Get inspired

Want to study a languages?

Learn more about your language options at Flinders.

Interested in TESOL?

Find out why you should study Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages at Flinders.

Gain real-world experience

Flinders’ Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placement program allows you to improve your employability by gaining valuable practical experience in a workplace setting, directly related to your study.

You’ll gain industry-specific, practical experience while earning credit towards your degree in a real workplace. WIL helps you to develop the skills employers want, build your networks, learn what it's like to work in a professional environment and get an edge in the job market.

Learn more

Which options do I have for studying TESOL?

TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. It is the practice of teaching English as an additional language and the academic field which studies the learning and teaching of English.

There are millions of people learning English in countries across the globe. With TESOL, you’ll learn how to teach English using contemporary knowledge, skills, principles and tools for second language learning, teaching and assessment.

Postgraduate TESOL

Flinders offers a variety of postgraduate degrees in TESOL including a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Master and PhD:

Postgraduate TESOL

Bachelor of Letters (TESOL)

The Bachelor of Letters (TESOL) is can be taken part-time concurrently with a Bachelor degree, and adds one extra year to the overall study program.

Bachelor of Letters (TESOL)

Bachelor of Education (Secondary)

TESOL is available as a Teaching Major for those who want to have English as a Second Language/English as an Additional Language as one of their teaching areas.

Bachelor of Education (Secondary)

TESOL minor

TESOL is available as a Minor in the Bachelor of Languages for those who want to study TESOL alongside a language.

Bachelor of Languages

Elective

Study a TESOL topic(s) as an elective as part of some undergraduate degrees offered at Flinders if you’re interested in getting a taste of what TESOL is all about. Please consult your Course Coordinator for further details about elective topics available in your degree.

Non-award topic

Non-award study is the opportunity to enrol in a topic without admission to a degree or course of study. This usually suits professionals who wish to demonstrate competence in a study area or pursue personal interest. Students participate in all class requirements and complete assessment to receive a final grade; however, the topic is not counted towards a specific degree.

Non-award topic

Follow the Languages blog

Frequently asked questions

Is a degree in languages worth it?

Yes, it is worth it to study a language! The ability to speak another language will open huge career opportunities for you. You’ll stand out compared to other job applicants and you’ll have an appreciation and understanding for other cultures.

You’ll travel to other countries like a local, rather than a tourist and could work locally or internationally as an interpreter, foreign correspondent, foreign language intelligence analyst or international trade officer.

How long does it take to get a language degree?

The Bachelor of Languages and the Bachelor of Arts (majoring in a language) are 3 years of full-time study, with the option to add an extra Honours year upon completion of the Bachelor degree.

Do I need to be skilled in French, Indonesian, Italian, Modern Greek or Spanish before I study it at Flinders?

No. Our language degrees are available from beginner to advanced levels. This means that no matter what level you’re at in your language study, we can cater to you.

The Introductory level is the starting point for Beginner students (Level 1). Beginners will then progress to Intermediate (level 2) to complete a minor, and to Upper Intermediate (Level 3) to complete a major

The Intermediate level (Level 2) is the starting point for students who have taken the language at SACE or IB. These students will then progress to Upper Intermediate (Level 3) to complete a minor, and then to Advanced (Level 4) to complete a major.

Can I study 2 or more languages?

Yes, you can study 1, 2 and even 3 languages depending on your degree. For example:

In the Bachelor of Arts, you can study two language majors.

In the Bachelor of Languages, you could study one language major and a language minor plus other language and culture topics.

In the Bachelor of Education (Secondary), you can study a teaching major in a language.

In the Bachelor of International Relations and Political Science, you can study a language minor.

If your degree doesn't allow languages, you can add a Diploma in Language to your study program.

What can I expect to do in class and will I become fluent in my selected language?

Languages classes are not classes where you listen passively. They require active engagement. You will study languages in a friendly, supportive, and interactive environment. As classes are not large, you will have ample opportunity to practice your language skills through conversations, roleplays, presentations and debates. Although the acquisition of grammar is fundamental to learning a language, our focus goes beyond rules and vocab to include cultural understanding and the development of intercultural competency. In upper years, you will be exposed to authentic material such as new items, blogs, literary texts, and films, enriching your appreciation of language and cultures.

The extent to which you will develop your language skills is up to you. It depends not only on class work, but it also depends on opportunities you seize such as becoming a member of a language club or meet-up group, travelling to regions where your language of study is spoken, interacting with native speakers, etc. We are available to offer guidance on ways to enhance your language learning and experience outside the classroom.

What career can I get with a Language degree?

The answer is... almost anything! With the internationalisation of the job market, graduates with a qualification in a foreign language have greater employment opportunities both in Australia and overseas than ever before. Potential areas of employment include tourism agencies, foreign language teaching, international trade, finance and commerce, diplomatic and defence agencies, translating services, and international development.

Learning a language will help you kick-start a global career. The ability to speak another language will open huge career opportunities for you. You’ll stand out compared to other job applicants and you’ll have an appreciation and understanding for other cultures.

Do I need to study the Bachelor of Languages to study a language?

No. You can add a language to almost any degree. On the major pages, you’ll find a list of common degrees that combine language study, or if you have a specific degree that you would like to add a language too, we’d love to chat through your options with you. Adding a language to your degree is one of the best ways you can prepare yourself for a global career.

Our course advisers are on hand to discuss your options with you, get in touch today.

Can I study a language not available at Flinders?

Yes. You can study Chinese, German and Japanese at the University of Adelaide through our cross-institutional arrangement. If you are interested in studying a language not available at Flinders and Adelaide University, please consult us.

Where can I study my language?

Flinders languages are offered at 2 locations:

Bedford Park: French, Modern Greek and Spanish
City Campus: Indonesian and Italian

You'll also be able to study Chinese, German and Japanese cross-institutionally in the city.

We’re here to help you every step of the way.

If you would like to talk to one of our friendly advisers about applying to university or to discuss your study options and pathways, please contact us.