Welcome to the Department of World Languages and Cultures!
We will prepare you to be proficient in world languages at all levels and enhance your effective communication, creativity, critical thinking, greater awareness of the world's peoples and interpersonal skills, as well as your understanding of your own language.
UNCW is offering assessments through Nov. 7 to earn the Global Seal of Biliteracy, a certification that highlights the value of multilingualism in today’s global economy and celebrates your achievement in more than one language. The Global Seal awards proficiency in two languages at one of three levels, using tests based on the ACTFL or CEFR scale.
Student, Faulty Research Presented at International Conference
Spanish major and Japanese and linguistics minor Azul Baltazar presented his honors thesis research at the 17th Pronunciation in Second Language Learning and Teaching (PSLLT) conference in Ames, Iowa, in September, the only undergraduate to do so. His presentation, "Perception of Spanish lexical stress: Relationship between discrimination, spelling knowledge, and grammatical knowledge," was co-authored with his advisor Danielle Daidone.
Santucci Publishes Open Access Article in Greece & Rome
Robert Santucci, assistant professor of Latin, has published an open access article titled "Vomiting up Vergil: Seneca's Emetic Theory of Reception" in the classical studies journal Greece & Rome. In the article, he argues vomit is used as a positive metaphor for literary production in ancient Rome, rather than a negative symptom of decadence and excess.
Christina Lord, associate professor of French, talked about her 2023 monograph, "Reimagining the Human in Contemporary French Science Fiction" on the New Books Network. Her monograph explores posthumanism and transhumanism in French science fiction media.
Majoring in Spanish gave Elizabeth Hernandez ’26 the chance to explore culture through studying abroad, forge new connections and pursue a future where she can make a real impact.
Ryan Lidster, assistant professor of Japanese, has been selected for the Japan Foundation Japanese Language Institute's 2026 Special Training program for Non-Native Teachers of Japanese. This month-long program takes top teachers from the U.S. to the Language Institute in Urawa outside Tokyo, where they work in tandem with top language officials to make cutting-edge courses and materials for future Japanese learners.
UNCW Students Experience Immersive Learning In Peru
Through a SAIL grant, Dr. Ashlee S. Balena led UNCW students to Peru for study abroad, blending academics with cultural engagement, including Misminay experiences, pachamanca preparation, Andean textile dyeing, and exploration of Machu Picchu, fostering cross-cultural skills and global awareness.
Faculty Awarded Language Education Research Grant
Laura Solano-Escobar and Valentino Rahming have been named 2025 recipients of a ACTFL Research Priority Grant. Their project, “Curriculum, Identity, and Investment in Heritage Language Programs” advances research in heritage language education by examining how curriculum design shapes students’ identities and their investment in maintaining and developing their bilingualism.
UNCW will be hosting the combined 16th Spanish Linguistics in North Carolina (SLINKI) and Spanish Linguistics in the Southeast (SLISE) conference on Feb. 6-7 in Congdon Hall. This event brings together faculty, researchers, and students to share current research in Spanish linguistics.
The Language Placement Tool assesses your current language abilities and matches you to the language course most suitable for your level. It is offered online in French, German, Latin and Spanish.
