The Mission
The Language Institute advances language education and research by promoting:
- excellence in language teaching, and innovation in the design and delivery of effective and inclusive language programs
- student success in reaching their professional and personal language learning goals
- research in second language acquisition (SLA) and related fields, and
- increased awareness of the value of language learning and linguistic diversity
In each of these areas, we strive to foster productive collaboration across campus and beyond, exemplifying the Wisconsin Idea.
The Language Institute is an initiative of the College of Letters & Science, with substantial support from The International Division.
The Language Institute:
- Serves as the administrative home to two interdisciplinary academic programs: the Doctoral Program in Second Language Acquisition and the undergraduate Russian Flagship Program
- Carries out research in areas such as language program design and student learning outcomes in postsecondary language education
- Hosts invited lectures by leading scholars in applied linguistics and SLA
- Provides pedagogical training and professional development for UW-Madison instructors of languages, literatures and cultures, including through local as well as inter-institutional initiatives.
- Maintains a website about the university’s language programs, Languages at UW-Madison
- Offers pre-major and career advising for undergraduate students interested in language studies
- Leads collaborative initiatives that raise awareness of linguistic diversity and bi/multilingualism such as the Language Ideologies and Linguistic Discrimination working group and initiatives that improve language education such as the Wisconsin Language Roadmap
- Spearheads outreach programs such as Languages of the World Day that help to connect Wisconsin K-12 students and teachers with UW-Madison expertise in languages, literatures, and cultures