The state has approved a new school at Kansas University for the study of languages and culture.

The School of Languages, Literature and Cultures will offer 25 languages and 20 degree programs and will be part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

“The future will be conducted in many languages other than English. It’s crucial that we prepare students not only with the ability to converse in other languages, but also to understand the cultural context of those interactions,” said Danny Anderson, dean of the college.

The new school will require no new building or additional faculty, but will use existing resources, KU officials said.

KU offers the most languages of any college in the Great Plains and is home to five international area studies centers.

The new school was recommended by the Council of Chief Academic Officers and given final approval by Kansas Board of Regents President and Chief Executive Officer Andy Tompkins.