Asia has a population of over three billion people, and in our age of globalization, the continent is increasingly relevant to Western life. The Program in Asian Languages and Literature, housed within the University of Vermont’s School of World Languages and Cultures, offers language instruction in Chinese and Japanese, the languages of the two biggest economies in Asia. Our goal is to provide the best possible instruction in the languages and literatures of these two countries, helping students gain greater understanding of Asian culture and the capacity to thrive in environments where these languages are spoken.

Knowledge of the language and culture of China and Japan opens the door to a world of opportunity in business, government, education, the arts, and many other sectors.

Explore What Makes Us Special

Chinese building architecture

Opening New Worlds

Our Chinese and Japanese language, literature, and culture classes provide you with the skills to read, write, speak, and understand the two major languages of Asia. The rewards include an appreciation of rich literary heritage of Asian civilizations and access to a range of career opportunities.
Students and teacher in graduation graduation gown and cap

Inspired Teachers, Expert Mentors

Faculty members in both the Chinese and Japanese programs are experts in Chinese and Japanese languages and literatures and knowledgeable about Chinese and Japanese cultures. They are also specialists in teaching Chinese and Japanese languages to American college students.
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Going Places

You'll have access to a number of study abroad programs to sharpen your language skills and deepen your understanding of Asian cultures. And, when you graduate, you'll join many other UVM alumni who are making their mark in the world.

RECENT HEADLINES

Two college students standing together in front of a large tree on the UVM campus with Billings Library in the background

Switching Gears
Five students stand in a row in front of a gallery of six photos. To the left of the students, wall text reads "Languages and cultures abroad: catamounts around the world."

Second-Annual Study Abroad Photo Contest Winners Celebrated in Howe Library
3 male and 2 female professors standing together under a tree on the UVM Green in fall

First in the Family, Head of the Class
young woman in green turtleneck with shoulder-length brown hair smiling and standing in front of blurred forest background

A Wave of Summer Humanities Research
man in blue jacket and red cap with video equipment works on a shoot in the forest

Spotlight on CAS Alums!