Foreign Language Skills

Most students must hone their capacity to interact professionally using a non-English language. Minimum course requirements vary by desired placement region.

• Latin America: Students indicating an intention to serve in Spanish-speaking countries must build strong intermediate proficiency, having completed two 2000-level courses or learned Spanish through another medium.

• West Africa: Students indicating an intention to serve in French-speaking African countries must build proficiency in French or another Romance language, having completed one 2000-level course or learned the language through another medium.

• Everywhere else: Students indicating an intention to serve anywhere else do not have explicit language requirements to complete the Program, but they should still be encouraged to study a foreign language.

Note: If you are a strong native speaker and hope to serve in a country that speaks your same language, you can skip this requirement!

Read the Peace Corps Prep Student Guide for more information or to answer any questions.