Image of Schmitt Hall

Asian Languages


The Asian Languages Programs at Montclair State offer Chinese, Japanese, and Korean courses.

Major:
Asian Languages and Cultures (36-42 credits)

Minors:
Chinese (18 credits)
Japanese (18 credits)
Korean (18 credits)
Asian Languages (18 credits)

Students learning Asian Caligraphy

Why Study Asia?

“Studying Asia is not just about geography or culture, it is about understanding a big part of the world that continues to shape global affairs, including the lives we live in the United States…Personally, learning about Asia has also helped me feel more aware of my own identity. Even though I do not come from an Asian background, I have found that learning about another culture allows me to reflect on my own in ways I never expected.”
– Denisse Rubio, Asian Languages and Cultures major with a Concentration in Korean

Why Asian Languages and Cultures?

  • Chinese is one of the six official languages of the United Nations.
  • Chinese, Japanese, Korean, among other Asian languages, are critical languages as defined by the State Department.
  • Asia’s civilizations offer non-Western perspectives and cross-cultural understanding to American students.
  • China, Japan, and Korea have been three of America’s top six trading partners since 2013 (United States Census Bureau).
  • Asia plays a key role in global affairs and America’s foreign policy.
  • Asia is home to nearly 60% of the total world population.

What have students who have studied Asian languages done beyond MSU?

  • Taught English in Korea, Japan
  • Won the highly prestigious Critical Language Scholarship offered by the State Department
  • Hired by a Taiwanese company
  • Attended law school
  • Pursued a Master’s Degree in Teaching

If you would like to learn more about the Asian Languages at Montclair State University, contact Dr. Wing Shan Ho, Coordinator of Asian Languages Programs.