Skip to Content

Modern Languages

At the School of Linguistics and Language Studies we offer courses in the following modern languages:

American Sign Language

*Minor Available

Mandarin Chinese

Italian

Japanese

*Minor Available

Languages Less Commonly Taught

Portuguese

Russian

Spanish

*Minor available

Most of our language courses are offered at all levels, from Beginner to Advanced. 

For those students who require an accelerated start to their language training for professional or academic purposes, SLaLS offers some languages as intensive courses with extra class time per week and a double credit value.

Whenever possible we offer one or more of the languages from the languages less commonly taught (LANG) area.

Conversation Practice

We also offer conversation practice in a limited number of languages. Click the link below to join and if you have a language you would like to share, please email culanguage@carleton.ca.

IMPORTANT: Placement Testing and the Language Background Questionnaire (LBQ)

Modern Language placement testing and the Language Background Questionnaire (LBQ) are online. The mandatory Language Background Questionnaire must be completed by all students taking their first language course at Carleton.

Language Minors

Minors in select languages are available and open to undergraduate degree students. Get in touch with us today to learn more about adding a language minor to your degree!

Heritage Language Courses

These courses are for students who grew up with exposure to a particular language, but who did not study it in a formal setting or at an academic level. These courses are not offered every semester. Check the public class schedule for offerings.

Language Learning Resource Centre (LLRC)

The LLRC offers a range of books and resources in many of the languages we teach, student-access computers, comfy seating, and an array of activities/events throughout the year.

Please note that Greek, Latin, and Hebrew are offered through the College of Humanities, and French courses are offered by the Department of French.

Modern Languages in the News

Image of Phil Boland Memorial Scholarship Recipients

2 min read

Meet the Recipients of the Phil Boland Memorial Scholarship

Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) logo

2 min read

Carleton University Hosts Fifth Japanese Language Proficiency Test

German language instructor Cristina Finger with students at Adventskaffee on November 28, 2025

1 min read

Adventskaffee an der Carleton University