Asian Languages at Pitt

Students choose to study Asian languages to attain basic conversational skills, to become fluent speakers, or as a requirement for the Certificate in Asian Studies; all approaches enhance their career prospects. Asian language instruction is offered by the Department of East Asian Languages and Literature and the Less-Commonly-Taught Language Center (part of the Department of Linguistics). Asian languages currently offered are:

Chinese, Japanese, Korean: Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures

Instruction in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean languages are offered through the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures. Students may enroll in an undergraduate major or minor in Chinese or Japanese, or a minor in Korean. The courses offered include oral and written language, linguistics, literature, and cinema, as well as opportunities for independent study. Interested students should seek more information at the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures.

Intensive Japanese and Chinese: Summer East Asian Language Study

Each summer, Pitt hosts the Summer East Asian Language School (SEALS) for rapid language acquisition in Japanese and Chinese. Emphasis is placed on aural comprehension and oral communication in addition to basic reading and writing skills. SEALS Japan is a special 10-week program equivalent to two semesters of Japanese at either the first- or second-year levels. Financial aid is available for SEALS Japan. SEALS China offers two, five-week intensive Chinese courses at the beginning level. Each course is the equivalent to one semester of language instruction. For specific details on the SEALS programs, please visit the SEALS website.


Hindi and Vietnamese: Less-Commonly-Taught Languages Center

The Less-Commonly-Taught Languages Center offers Hindi and Vietnamese; both are taught by instructors who are native users of their language. Levels 1 and 3 are offered during fall semester; levels 2 and 4 during spring semester. For more information, please visit the Less-Commonly-Taught Languages Center.