LANGUAGE RESOURCE CENTER

Since Spring 2025, the LRC, with the invaluable guidance of our Advisory Board, has continued to strengthen our multilingual campus community by supporting innovative pedagogical initiatives, hosting engaging workshops and information sessions, and providing ongoing student and faculty support. This issue showcases highlights from our summer activity, recent collaborations, and updates on continuing projects that advance language learning across disciplines.

Initiatives

Language Background Survey 2025

As part of an ongoing initiative to better understand the linguistic diversity of our student body, the LRC launched last summer a university-wide survey to gather data on incoming students’ language backgrounds and interests in language study. First piloted in 2024, this second iteration was the first time responses were collected from all undergraduate schools, offering valuable insights into students’ multilingual experiences and preferences. The findings revealed compelling trends that will inform future programming and support. (Access to Language Background Survey Results)

MWALLT Conference 2026 Participation

The LRC and Media and Design Studio (MADS) will participate in the upcoming Midwest Association for Language Learning & Technology (MWALLT) 2026 Conference, a regional event focused on the integration of technology in language education. The conference will feature multiple virtual streams hosted by partner institutions, offering sessions on topics such as AI tools in language instruction, digital assessment strategies, and innovative classroom technologies. The call for proposals is open, so please consider submitting.

We are currently seeking faculty and graduate student volunteers interested in moderating sessions for the conference. This is a great opportunity to get involved in regional and national conversations around language teaching and technology, while building professional connections across institutions. If interested, please email Matthew Taylor, Director of MADS at mtaylor@northwestern.edu

Professional Development

Programming & Curricular Support

This new academic year, the LRC remains dedicated to advancing professional development through focused initiatives.

2nd Immersion Week: Intercultural Competency in Language Instruction

The Office of the Vice President for International Relations, the MADS and the LRC are pleased to present this second PD initiative for faculty and graduate students focused on the implementation and assessment of intercultural competence language instruction. This 3-day event will take place on December 3-5, 2025 (9-10:30am, Zoom). Vice President Dévora Grynspan will offer the opening remarks, and Prof. Manuela Wagner will be the keynote speaker and workshop lead. In addition, two expert panels- featuring specialists in intercultural competence from both language instruction and other Northwestern units—will convene to explore the critical role of intercultural competence in today’s globalized world. Panelists will share insights and strategies for preparing students to engage meaningfully across cultures, highlighting its relevance across disciplines and professional contexts.

2nd Immersion Week Program Information

Research in Language Instruction Series

For Winter and Spring 2026, we are planning three engaging and practical sessions focused on specific topics related to research for language learning and teaching:

1) best practices and tools for literature review,

2) navigating Northwestern’s IRB policies and faculty support for data analysis, and

3) examining diverse approaches to scholarly writing and methods across academic publications.

These workshops stem from the June 2025 presentation Doing Research on Your Teaching: Resources, Tips, and Support at Northwestern, also in collaboration with Denise Drane, Senior Associate Director of Research and Innovation at the Searle Center.

Session 1, Literature Review: January 21, 2026 | 4-5pm | Zoom

Session 2, IRB and Analysis: February 18, 2026 | 4-5pm | Zoom

Session 3, Scholarly Writing: Date TBA (Spring 2026)

Research in Language Instruction PD Series

Hewlett Grant for Curricular Innovation 2025 Recipients

Congratulations to the most recent recipients of Hewlett Grants. Your contributions continue to enrich our teaching and learning practices in meaningful ways.

Wilmar López-Barrios: “The Acquisition of Intonation and Its Role in Enhancing the Pronunciation of L2 Spanish Learners”

Rami Nair and David Boyk: “Moving Hindi and Urdu Placement Tests to Online Format”

Rana Raddawi: “Gamified Digital Tools for Improving Arabic Pronunciation and Spelling”

Faculty interested in applying for a Hewlett Grant find more information and the application form in the link below.

Hewlett Fund Information and Application

Academic Support for Undergraduate Students and Advisers

Incoming Student Language Placement and Advising

The LRC continued working closely with language placement coordinators and their programs, the Weinberg Dean’s Office, and the Office of the Provost to help coordinate and improve communication about language placement for new students. Updated instructions in PurplePrep and summer reminders on social media helped guide new students through the language placement process. With MADS, the way placement results are shown in both the online portal and the Weinberg First-Year Student Dossier was also significantly revised and improved.

In addition, LRC co-directors were available at the Academic Directions Fair and the Weinberg College Seminar Adviser Orientation to offer guidance and answer questions. These efforts supported students and advisers in navigating the Weinberg language requirement and planning for continued language study.

For more information on language learning at Northwestern, please visit the web page below.

Language Learning at Northwestern

SESP Info Session on World Language Teaching Licensure

In November 2025, LRC and SESP partnered again and hosted a well attended information session for undergraduate students titled Become a World Language Teacher: Stack a Teaching License on your Degree. Rebekah Stathakis, Director of Teacher Preparation Programs, and Gaby Langendorf, Manager of Teacher Licensure Programs, discussed opportunities for students interested in language study and licensure pathways offered by SESP. More resources on this topic can be found on the webpage below.

Teacher Certification Program in World Language Concentration

Academic Support for Graduate Students

In collaboration with Directors of Graduate Studies, the LRC compiled an overview of language proficiency requirements for doctoral students from different disciplines and schools and shared a set of resources to support graduate students’ ongoing language learning. These efforts aim to strengthen institutional support for advanced language training across disciplines.

DeCoster Grant for Language Study

DeCoster Grant for Language Study enabled awardees from the departments of Anthropology, English, Spanish and Portuguese, and Comparative Literary Studies Program to complete essential language coursework in Haitian Creole and Spanish for their research during the Summer 2025 in Argentina, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.

The Summer 2026 grant circle is open, and the application deadline is April 1, 2026. If interested, please visit the DeCoster Grant webpage for more information and the application form.

For general information, resources and other funding opportunities for graduate students interested in language learning on campus and beyond, please visit the LRC webpage below.

Language Study For Graduate Students

Less Commonly Taught Languages Support

To strengthen institutional support for less commonly taught languages (LCTLs), the LRC has launched a Support for Less Commonly Taught Languages (LCTLs) webpage. We will continue working with relevant departments to support students learning LCTLs.

BTAA CourseShare Offerings

In September 2025, the LRC hosted an information session for interested faculty and advisers on the BTAA CourseShare program, highlighting opportunities to expand LCTLs offerings.

This Fall 2025, Tsering Samdrup, Assistant Professor of Instruction in Asian Languages and Cultures, has hosted a CourseShare course: Advanced Tibetan Reading Class (ASIAN_LC 492). Looking ahead to Winter and Spring 2026, Ryan Platte, Professor of Instruction in Classics, will offer Accelerated Elementary Ancient and Biblical Greek (GREEK 115-1 and GREEK 115-2) through CourseShare.

Faculty interested in hosting a CourseShare course can learn more on the web page below and/or contact the LRC for more information.

BTAA CourseShare for Instructors

Other Highlights

CourseShare enrollments in Fall 2025 included students from undergraduate, graduate, and Kellogg MBA programs studying Armenian, Dakota, Indonesian, Modern Greek, Ojibwe, and Quechua. If your students are interested in learning languages not offered at Northwestern, please refer them to the Languages Not Offered at Northwestern page. We have also added a new FAQs page for students.

Event Support and Funding

LRC supported several enriching events organized by faculty from various language departments. These activities offered learners and educators a unique opportunity to engage with language and culture beyond the classroom: Here in Chicago, Conversation with Photojournalist Roderico Díaz and Peruvian Dance Workshop with Latin Music Ensemble and Rubén Pachas (Spanish Language Program); Orientation for Beginning Japanese (Japanese Language Program); and Pysanky Workshop (Slavic Languages Program).

If interested in funding for an event, please visit the webpage below for upcoming application deadlines and form.

Event Sponsorship

Council on Language Instruction Updates

The Council on Language Instruction (CLI) launched the academic year in September 2025, with a hybrid orientation featuring a workshop by Dr. Gang Liu titled Gamifying Language Learning: Integrating Gameful and Game-Based Approaches in Upper-Level CFL Education. In addition, the first CLI business meeting took place in October 2025. Upcoming events include a BYOL event (November 17, 2025, 12:00–1:30 PM, Kresge Hall 4438) and the annual Fall Breakfast Meeting featuring faculty project presentations (December 2, 2025, 10:00–11:30 AM, Kresge Hall 1515). The CLI also continued to fund faculty professional development and event organizing. Looking ahead, the CLI will host a student-created poster exhibit on global women in March 2026. Please read more about the CLI activities here.

LRC Operating Hours 2025-2026

Please note that the LRC will be closed during the following dates:

November 24 - November 28, 2025

December 12, 2025 – January 5, 2026

March 20 – March 31, 2026

June 16 – September 11, 2026

Visit our website: https://lrc.northwestern.edu/

Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/nu_language_resource_center/

Contact us: languageresourcecenter@northwestern.edu

Past newsletter issues: https://lrc.northwestern.edu/about/lrc-newsletters/

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