Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

Welcome to your Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures!

The job market in Tennessee and beyond is increasingly interconnected across languages and cultures. Our department offers dynamic, career-enhancing degree programs designed to help you stand out in a wide range of professions.

Take advantage of our free online language placement test, which can instantly award you up to 12 credits at no cost—saving you valuable time and money. Our courses are designed to empower students, not only by building strong language skills but also by fostering leadership, teamwork, and intercultural understanding in a welcoming learning environment.

We invite you to explore all the information on this site, and we look forward to welcoming you into our classes!

For any questions, please contact us at: olaf.berwald@mtsu.edu

Olaf Berwald, Ph.D.

Chair, Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

French

German

Japanese

Spanish

Arabic

Chinese

Italian

Portuguese

Latin

Russian

Humanities

Linguistic Studies

M.A.T
Graduate Programs

Teaching Licensure

Faculty & Staff

Study Abroad

Contact Us

Mailing Address:
Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
Middle Tennessee State University, Box 79
1301 East Main Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37132 

Main Office: 
BDA 301
Telephone:  (615) 898-2981
Fax:            (615) 898-5735

Department Chair: 
Dr. Olaf Berwald   
Olaf.Berwald@mtsu.edu 
(615) 898-2982 

Executive Assistant:
Charlie Vick  
Charlie.Vick@mtsu.edu
(615) 898-5728

Language Placement Test

MTSU News

Middle Tennessee State University New to Blue Orientation guides lead incoming students out of the Student Union Ballroom for a whirlwind tour during the session held May 27 on campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. All incoming students must complete New to Blue in order to be advised and register for fall semester classes, which kick off Monday, Aug. 24. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

New to Blue orientation helps incoming students find their place at MTSU

Middle Tennessee State University is rolling out a big Blue Raider welcome to hundreds of incoming first-year students and transfer students at the 2026 New to Blue orientationsgoing on weekly now through the beginning of August.[ Read More ]

Omri Rawlins, back row, fourth from left, stands with fellow members of the “Noon Basketball Association” gathered around a plaque dedicated in his honor inside the Middle Tennessee State University Campus Recreation Center in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The Rec recently dedicated a basketball court to Rawlins, a retired longtime faculty member who served as the group's longtime

MTSU Campus Rec honors longtime midday hoops player, ‘Commissioner’ Omri Rawlins, with court dedication

For decades, Omri Rawlins could be found on the basketball courts at the Campus Recreation Center at Middle Tennessee State University, playing pickup games with fellow faculty, staff and students. Now, the place where he spent so many years playing bears his name.[ Read More ]