Languages & Literatures
We read, we tell stories, and we study language to understand ourselves and the world around us. The UNI Department of Languages and Literatures gives our students the opportunity to be part of a vibrant intellectual and creative community – one that focuses on connecting them with new cultures, new knowledge and new ideas.
Through impactful experiences inside and outside the classroom, along with collaborative community partnerships, you’ll broaden your horizons and hone your professional skills.
Students in our department gain translating, writing and publishing experiences, which can be complemented by study abroad opportunities. These experiences, along with the skills gained through them, carry our students to successful careers in education, publishing, business, politics, media and beyond.
In the state
for graduating future language arts teachers
Top Ranked
Our nationally-ranked online TESOL MA program was placed in the top 25% of online masters in education programs in 2021 by U.S. News and World Report
of UNI graduates
are employed or continuing their education within one year of graduation
Merging passion and purpose
Translation Services
Working with the local community is an important part of your experience here. Through different language classes, you will have the opportunity to engage with local immigrant and refugee communities to do things like teach adult English learners, provide after-school support to students, and participate in community activities.
Publish Your Work
Through our student-led magazine, Inner Weather, you’ll have the chance to publish your work for the world to see. Published annually, the magazine highlights fiction, nonfiction, poetry and artwork submitted by students, faculty and staff. To submit an article or volunteer for the Inner Weather team, visit the Inner Weather webpage.
Teaching Experiences
With a highly-regarded teacher preparation program, UNI is a great place to start your journey as an educator. All of our teaching majors undergo an extensive preparation program, including 750 hours of classroom instruction experience – all before graduation. To learn more about teaching at UNI, visit the Be A Teacher website.
Creative Writing
Whether your passion is in poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction, our creative writing minor allows you to work with published authors to develop your craft, and gain exposure to the world of literary publishing.
Cedar Falls boasts a vibrant arts and literary community. Students can attend readings by regionally and nationally-known figures, share their work at regular open mics, take part in poetry slams, and more. Many students volunteer or intern at the North American Review, America’s oldest literary magazine, which is housed at UNI. You can also publish your work, and edit submissions to our student literary magazine, Inner Weather.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
We, the Faculty of the Department of Languages and Literatures at the University of Northern Iowa, stand in solidarity with BIPOC communities and the call to end systemic racism. We acknowledge our own place in systems of oppression. Many of us work with languages connected to histories of colonial power, subjugation, settlement, slavery, and genocide. We cannot sanitize the narratives and linguistic power of our profession. We also acknowledge how neither our city nor our campus is especially welcoming to Black students or people of color. As we uphold peaceful protests, we also acknowledge that additional action and advocacy must happen.
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