About

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What is the mission of the Language Center? 

 The Harvard Language Center is...  

  • a hub for Harvard language departments in the FAS. We support the teaching and learning of languages at Harvard College through technological and pedagogical support;
  • a locus for information for students (language policies, language course offerings, and language study opportunities) and faculty (peer support, research opportunities, language teaching events and workshops);
  • a space (spaces) that can be reserved for language courses and events;
  • a member of the Foreign Language Advisory Group, whose mission is "to advise the administration on issues related to language study and pedagogy" and "continue to build a community of language instructors across all programs and in close collaboration with the Language Center”;
  • a member of the Consortium for the Learning and Teaching of Languages. 

 

Who are the Language Center clients? 

  • FAS language faculty (preceptors, lecturers, TAs/TFs)
  • Language course students
  • Language department staff
  • Language and culture graduate students
  • College students taking language placement and/or proficiency exams
  • Language Exchange participants
  • Harvard affiliates seeking language resources and support 

 

What services does the Language Center provide to stakeholder groups? 

1) Administrative support (classroom reservations, "hub" website for language departments and policies, language placement exam planning and implementation, Language Exchange program) 

2) Pedagogical support (publicizing and hosting language learning events and workshops, offering professional development and networking opportunities to instructors, consulting on best pedagogical practices, presenting open educational resource materials and external funding opportunities, connecting instructors to peers across institutions, organizing and hosting social and cultural events) 

3) Technological support (software and hardware troubleshooting, limited software pilots for language learning innovation, workshops and demos for new language learning apps and software, guidance and advice about incorporating technology into the language classroom)