Language Courses While in MA Program?

[literatureblogger318]

Greetings All,

I am an incoming master's student in English. I will begin my first term this upcoming Spring 2025 semester. I am applying for Ph.D. programs in English and Comparative Literature after completing my MA degree. My question is: Should I take language courses while completing my MA? I am interested in learning Arabic (Modern Standard) and French. I am a native speaker of English and Spanish, and I hear that French is easy to learn if I already know Spanish. To give some context, I am planning on taking 9 units in Spring; 6 units in Fall; 9 units the following Spring, and 6 units the following Fall (the program is 30 units); I think this leads me to be able to fit at least one language course every semester AND for two summer terms before applying for Ph.D. programs (there is plenty of time to prepare for PhD apps, as I will be applying Fall 2026 for admission in 2027). 

You may also be asking why I am interested in Arabic and French. I am interested in Postcolonial/Decolonial studies (Literature and Theory), which is why I am applying to Comparative Literature and English Ph.D. programs. If I took a language (up to intermediate level), Comp. Lit departments would look at this favorably when looking at my overall application, and English Ph.D. programs will see that as well, so it does not hurt. 

If I should take and integrate language, which one(s) should I learn and why? Or should I focus on my core classes in my Master's program? 

[Coachingkhojo]

📌 Common Language Courses in MA Programs

1. English – Advanced literature, creative writing, linguistics, and academic writing.

2. French – Beginner to advanced, literature, translation, and cultural studies.

3. German – Language skills, literature, philosophy texts, and translation.

4. Spanish – Language, literature, culture, and Latin American studies.

5. Italian – Language, literature, and art history integration.

6. Chinese (Mandarin) – Language, culture, and business applications.

7. Japanese – Language, literature, and cultural studies.

8. Arabic – Classical and modern Arabic, literature, and Islamic studies.

9. Russian – Language, literature, and political/cultural studies.

10. Hindi / Sanskrit – Classical literature, linguistics, and translation studies (for Indian universities).

11. Portuguese – Language and Lusophone literature studies.

12. Korean – Language and cultural studies.