Banner image collage showing students in classroom and instructor

Foreign Languages

Gain basic to intermediate conversation skills and explore cultures related to your language of choice.

Foreign Languages

Student studying online with a laptop and taking handwritten notes

Learn language anywhere

Courses are offered online, via Zoom, blended, and in-person. Choose a language below to view semester course formats.

Student meeting with an advisor in an office, receiving academic support.

Explore critical languages

Expand your professional opportunities. Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Hindi, Korean, Russian, Portuguese and Swahili are considered critical — and you have access to them here.

Instructor teaching a class of students with a whiteboard in the background.

Take noncredit classes

Studying a language for personal or professional growth is rewarding and fun — youth and adult options are available.

Choose your language

13 languages — select one to view course formats and enrollment options.

Arabic

Two women sit at a table making paper cutouts surrounded by festive decorations.

Three students holding trays outdoors

A woman in a traditional dirndl offers food to students in front of a German flag.

Women covered in bright festival powders laugh together during a Holi celebration.

Teacher is delivering as session in a classroom environment.

A woman in a kimono teaches students and children how to fold origami.

A young man wearing a traditional hanbok speaks with a student in front of a South Korean flag.

Four people in traditional Kurdish attire stand in front of a poster.

Students chat and share snacks in a room with a Brazilian flag on the wall.

Two women presenting Russian culture at a display board.

Two women stand next to a Venezuela display board in matching athletic shirts.

A man and a woman sit behind a table filled with colorful patterned African fabrics and clothing.

English as a Foreign Language

For international students — the I Succeed program (undergraduate & graduate tracks).

Who can attend?

College students

A Missouri State-led partnership with Evangel University, Ozarks Technical Community College, Mission University and Southwest Baptist University.

High school students

These students may earn transferable college credit.

Community members

Noncredit courses tailored to travelers, plus summer camps for children. Community members may also register for any for-credit course — contact the FLI Coordinator with questions.

How to enroll?

Determine what course options the Foreign Language Institute can offer you.

Get your enrollment started

Attending the FLI

  • Most courses are held in downtown Springfield, in the Jim D. Morris Center
  • Most courses are held in the evenings
  • For-credit courses are taught in a four-semester sequence

Partner institutions

Evangel University

Ozarks Technical Community College

Mission University

Southwest Baptist University