by our College Data Analytics TeamDid you know that one quarter of the world's languages is spoken only in African? There are nearly 800 languages spoken in Africa, whether they be tribal or national, there are nearly half a million people speaking different African languages. Major in African Language so you can learn how to speak, write, and read various African Languages.
Some of the most common languages studied are Arabic, Swahili, Twi, Yoruba, and Zulu. Students will not only learn the linguistics of African languages, but also be educated on the rich culture Africa has to offer. While majoring in African Languages, students will take courses in African languages, culture, and society, Introduction to African literature, Syntax, and Phonology.
A major in African Languages explores African Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics. Continue reading for the essential details every african languages student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering african languages programs.
In the U.S., african languages is a widely-pursued major, with 7 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best African Languages Schools ranking analyzes these 1 schools to determine the best overall colleges for african languages students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of african languages programs later in this article.
Coursework for African Languages build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations african languages graduates commonly enter.
Students should have an ear for detail. There are many different African Languages and it is crucial to be able to detect which one is being spoken. An individual with a love for African Culture is also important. There are opportunities for study abroad programs at some institutions. This would allow a student to practice their lingual skills and experience the culture of Africa first hand.
To prepare for this major, students are advised to take courses in World History, Latin, French Language, and World religion. These courses will help students understand the fundamentals of African Languages.
The skill set developed in a african languages program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a african languages major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several african languages degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 2 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 4 |
People currently working in careers related to african languages tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 44.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 26.8% |
| Master’s degree | 21.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.7% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.4% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.5% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in african languages careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in African Languages can lead to many different career options. If you are interested in teaching others, a career as a Foreign Language and literature teacher is open to you. You will be able to teach English speaking individuals African, or African speaking individuals English. Students may continue their education to become Speech Language Pathologists. These professionals work with individuals to assess and treat speech, voice, language, or fluency disorders. One more option is to become a translator, a career highly in demand due to the growing business between nations.
Studying african languages can lead to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to african languages.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to african languages.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | 629,317 | 7.3% |
| Interpreters and Translators | 424,722 | 12.2% |
Salaries for african languages graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers african languages grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Interpreters and Translators | $52,627 |
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $39,815 |
With 1 different african languages programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased african languages school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in african languages, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| African Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 7 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
