Ohio State sets the pace for world language study

At a time when universities across the country are scaling back world language programs, The Ohio State University is leading the race for language learning — literally. The College of Arts and Sciences will host the nation’s first-ever Love of Languages 5K Run and Walk on Sept. 20, bringing together over 1,000 students, faculty, volunteers and community members in celebration of language study.

The event is part of the university’s broader initiative to invest in language education, named “Global Fluency, Career Agility: Ohio State’s Model for Transforming World Languages,” supported by a Mellon Foundation grant. Programming includes new interdisciplinary language double majors, a multimedia campaign promoting language study and research into how Ohioans view language education.

“The idea behind the 5K had to do with a lot of important things that are happening in the world right now related to connectedness, intercultural competency and trends in higher education,” said Dana Renga, dean of arts and humanities. “I wanted to shed light on the world languages and run a campaign on why studying the world languages matters, how it can get you a job, how it can really be transformative and why students should come to Ohio State to do that.”

Ohio State currently offers courses in over 30 world languages, ranging from Spanish to American Sign Language to Uzbek. And language study is expanding: The university plans to hire six faculty and postdoctoral scholars in world language departments within the next year.

The university invests in world language study, Renga says, because of its benefits to students. Beyond offering cohort-based learning within some of the smallest classes on campus, language education opens doors to a variety of professions by helping students build transferable skills. A recent study by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found world language majors have one of the lowest unemployment rates of all academic disciplines.

“Employers across the world want people with the competencies world language study can provide. It gives students intercultural competence, critical thinking skills, and the ability to read and write well and work across a range of disciplines,” Renga said. “One of the best things about learning a world language is that you’re always making mistakes. It’s terrifying! But you learn how to come out of those mistakes as a better communicator and collaborator.”

The Love of Languages 5K will commemorate these aspects of language learning at Ohio State. Aside from the race itself, the event will feature appearances from student ambassadors from all language departments, the women’s glee club, Brutus Buckeye and local food trucks.

Renga has three goals for the event: to raise awareness about world language study, to encourage students to major or minor in a language and to create time for people in the community to have fun with one another. She also hopes the 5K will become an annual tradition.

“This 5K is important right now, at a time in higher education when morale around world languages is down at a lot of other institutions across the U.S.,” Renga said. “I see this as an opportunity to show why the country looks towards Ohio State as an example of why language study and learning matter.”