Yale University Offers Tagalog Course for the First Time in 323-Year History

For the first time in its 323-year history, Yale University is adding Tagalog courses to its curriculum.

This fall, students can take ‘Elementary Filipino I’ and ‘Intermediate Filipino I.’ This marks the school’s first structured Filipino language program beyond independent study programs.

The new Tagalog courses come after years of effort from ‘Kasama,’ a Filipino student group, and the ‘Tagalog@Yale campaign.’

Their push included a petition with more than 380 signatures and support from the Yale College Council, showing strong demand for Filipino to be part of the Ivy League university’s program.

Before this, students could only study Tagalog through an independent program with no credits and few resources.

Now, with official courses under the Council on Southeast Asia Studies, they can earn credits, follow structured lessons, and connect more deeply with the Filipino language and its culture.

Students and faculty alike hope this launch will pave the way for a broader Filipino Studies program, including literature, history, and cultural courses.

For now, the offering is being celebrated as a victory for visibility and inclusion, giving both heritage speakers and non-Filipinos a space to connect with Tagalog.