

What We Do
Today, nine out of 10 U.S. employers need employees with language skills other than English. In the Department of Modern Languages, we help students gain proficiency in a second language.
Contact Information
- local_phone401-456-8029
- placeGaige Hall
The Department of Modern Languages offers a B.A. degree in modern languages, with concentrations in French, Francophone studies, Latin American studies (with a track in Spanish-speaking Latin America and Brazil), Portuguese and Spanish.
Value of Foreign Language Proficiency

All RIC undergraduates are expected to speak and understand a language other than English at the novice-to-mid-proficiency level by the time they graduate. Rhode Island College recognizes that foreign language skills not only open up opportunities for work in other parts of the world, it helps students develop a more positive attitude toward both the language and the culture of the country where it is spoken.
Directors of Majors and Minors:
- Director of Latin American Studies - Dr. David Ramirez | dramirez@ric.edu
- Director of Portuguese - Dr. Silvia Oliveira | soliveira@ric.edu
- Director of Spanish - Dr. Eliani Basile | ebasile@ric.edu
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Learn how RIC encourages students to Be Bold!
Rhode Island College is an exclusive member of the Common Application. All students applying for undergraduate admission must complete the Common Application. This includes freshmen, second degree students, re-admits and international applicants.
Our Faculty

Dr. Eliani Basile
- Associate Professor
Dr. Silvia A. Oliveira
- Associate Professor

Dr. David Ramirez
- Assistant Professor
Modern Languages Gallery


Adjunct Faculty
- Professor Ana Mendiburu (and Spanish)
- Professor Maria Hofman (and Spanish)
- Dr. Nery Rolando Villanueva (and Spanish)
- Dr. Antonella Sisto
- Professor Daniel Schields (and Spanish)
- Dr. Irene do Aamaral
- Professor Ana Parada
- Professor Ernelinda Zito
- Professor Miguel Angel Arbues
- Professor Vanessa DelGiudice
- Professor Leslie Durigan
- Professor Gianina Gastelo
- Professor Jennifer Loaiza
- Professor Andres Zuniga
- Professor Maureen McEntee
- Professor Susan Ward
Featured News & Stories
Did you know that employers in many industries are prioritizing applicants with transferable skills found in the humanities?
“I want humanities students to graduate from RIC with a sense of adventure when they see all the career possibilities before them,” says Associate Professor Brandon Hawk.