Culture and
Language Learning
The Culture and Language Learning initiatives sponsored by CARLA explore the connection between language and culture learning in an interdisciplinary manner. These initiatives build on the premise that neither culture nor language can be fully understood when taught separately from the other.
The Maximizing Study Abroad series of guidebooks helps students, program professionals, and language instructors make the most of study abroad opportunities through strategies for language and culture learning and use. Research is currently being conducted to determine the effectiveness of these targeted support materials on study abroad outcomes.
Extensive resources on culture and language issues - includes information on professional organizations, bibliographies, useful websites, and more.
Culture and Language Learning initiatives sponsored by CARLA have been conducted in three phases. During the first phase, two conferences were organized. During the second phase, research was conducted to examine ways in which culture learning and intercultural competence could be assessed in the language classroom. The third phase focused on the development of materials to support study abroad and research on their effectiveness.
Each summer CARLA offers a wide array of professional development opportunities for K-16 language teachers including "Culture as the Core in the Second Language Classroom" and "Maximizing Study Abroad: Teaching Strategies for Language and Culture Learning and Use."
The CARLA bibliography has more information on presentations and publications done by faculty, students, and staff involved with this project.
