The Department of Foreign Languages (DFL) was established in 2021, in order to consolidate, rationalize and further develop the teaching of foreign languages in the university. Jamia Millia Islamia has a strong tradition of imparting foreign languages. The setting up of DFL represents a significant milestone in the university’s commitment to foreign language education.

India is today an emerging global power with an ever increasing economic and geo-political presence. Well qualified and proficient language professionals have become a national need in the political, economic, and cultural arenas. Learning of foreign languages and the importance of cultural literacy in an increasingly global world requires a focussed approach to teaching foreign languages keeping in mind the specificities of the Indian classroom.

The Department is dedicated to equipping students with essential linguistic skills and deep cultural insights, fostering not only communication proficiency but also the critical tools necessary for being successful global citizens. Our endeavour is to create a state of art centre for Foreign Language Education within the Higher Education sector in the country.

The Department of Foreign Languages currently offers a comprehensive suite of 33 academic programmes, from introductory to advanced levels, in 11 major foreign languages: Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, and Uzbek. The curriculum blends language, literature, and cultural studies, offering students a well-rounded and immersive language-learning experience.

The main objective of these programmes is to produce language professionals who will not only be trained in language, culture, and literature of the regions that speak the concerned language, but also in such applied fields as translation and interpretation, language in business, commerce and tourism, film and cultural studies, foreign media and society, applied linguistics, and pedagogy.

In addition, the Department also offers PhD programmes in Asian Studies, European Studies, and Latin American Studies.

Several courses are also offered through the university’s common pool allowing students from other disciplines to benefit from foreign language education and enhance their global competencies.

The Department also actively fosters engagement beyond the classroom through cultural events, language exchanges, and academic collaborations. By organising seminars, conferences, and partnerships with international institutions, DFL encourages meaningful academic dialogue and cross-cultural learning.

At DFL, we integrate the study of foreign languages and cultures with the latest methodological and technological advances in multimedia and interactive language learning to make learning a foreign language a more authentic experience promoting cross-cultural critical thinking and equipping our learners for diverse opportunities to live and work in international contexts.

We believe that language is more than communication; it’s a bridge to cultures, ideas, and new possibilities. Become part of a vibrant community dedicated to fostering understanding and global citizenship. Together, let’s shape a more connected and inclusive world.

The DFL’s vision is to become a leading centre for foreign language education and cultural studies in India, fostering global citizenship, promoting cross-cultural understanding, and strengthening India’s international relations through education and exchange.

The mission of the Department of Foreign Languages is to:

• Provide high-quality and comprehensive foreign language education.
• Promote intercultural communication and mutual understanding among diverse cultures.
• Support interdisciplinary research across language, literature, and cultural studies.
• Prepare students for global careers as foreign language professionals.
• Serve as a hub for academic collaboration and cultural engagement with universities and institutions around the world.