Educational Programs & Professional Development Events

Startalk Program
STARTALK was launched as a new component in the programs of the National Security Language Initiative (NSLI) announced by former President Bush in January of 2006. STARTALK’s mission is to increase the number of U.S. citizens learning, speaking, and teaching critical need foreign languages.
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Heritage Language Symposia
Language teaching colleagues from the University of Washington and around the state join together for our ninth symposium on working with heritage language learners.
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NHLRC: Ninth Heritage Language Research Institute
From bilingual children to adult heritage speakers. This event was held on June 15-18, 2016, at the University of Washington, Seattle. It was a collaboration between the UW LLC and the UCLA NHLRC.
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GenCyber
The Korean Cybersecurity Program at the UW is an opportunity for high school students in the United States to become familiarized with the principles of Cybersecurity, while learning and/or improving their Korean Language Skills. The video below from the 2017 STARTALK Portuguese Student Program will give you an example of a language and STEM Program at UW.
Learn More ➜Outreach

MELL
Mapping and Enhancing Language Learning
MELL project tracks and reports on world language learning and trends in Washington State. MELL represents a significant effort to help policy makers, educators, students, and parents understand which languages students are currently learning in our K-12 schools, community colleges, and in after-school language programs.
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Languages Without Borders
Promoting Equitable Access to Language Education
This project was partially inspired by the current situation at the University of Washington. While there are a very few language classes that currently allow non-matriculated UW students to attend, there is no formal policy to allow for this to happen.
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CLCS
Culture and Linguistics for Cybersecurity
One of the most pressing challenges facing cybersecurity experts today is a lack of cultural competence. We are trying to improve: 1. The ability for cyber professionals to understand the ‘human factor’ in general. 2. Recognize their blind spots. 3. Develop lifelong learning skills.
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FLOM
Folk Linguistic Online Mapping
FLOM is a tool for collecting perceptual dialect maps and subjective reactions to language variation online. This tool enables researchers to create online surveys that incorporate maps as a means of framing the responses. Researchers can use their own maps and sound files, as well as develop customized survey questions (such as respondent demographics).
Learn More ➜Klamath Media Conversion Project
The Language Learning Center is assisting the Klamath Tribes by digitizing and archiving cassette and VHS recordings about the Klamath Language. Learn more about the Klamath Tribes by following the link below:
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Cybersecurity for ASL Learners and Students
In 2022, the LLC was awarded a Open Educational Resource (OER) development grant from the WA Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to create a week-long module of lessons on the topic of cybersecurity for American Sign Language (ASL) learners and students. The resources are targeting grades 9-12, but will be appropriate for individuals in the 7-16 grade range. Click the link below to learn more.
Learn More ➜Resources and Development Projects

Urdu Script Video Project
The LLC recent completed a series of 21 instructional videos covering the Urdu script and pronciation system. The videos were presented by Dr. Jameel Ahmad, Associate Teaching Professor in the UW Asian Languages and Literature. The project is part of the 'Urdu Language and Culture' initiative by AIPS (American Institute of Pakistan Studies).
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Turkey in Seattle: An Oral History Project
The research project, Turkey in Seattle Oral History, aims to record, archive and preserve the oral histories of people who immigrated from Turkey to the Pacific Northwest Region in the United States, no matter what their race, ethnicity and/or religion.
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Epar Bangla Opar Bangla: Bangla Across Border
Epar Bangla Opar Bangla: Bangla across Borders! is a versatile, comprehensive and colorful program for an introductory language course in Standard Bangla. It consists of a textbook, workbook, an online script tutor, and online streaming audio and video resources. Individual chapters and the workbook are available under a non-exclusive academic license at no fee. To get access follow the link below. Access requires an academic license which is also free follow the instructions at the following link for more information.
Learn More ➜Classical Japanese at UW Informational Video
Washin Kai was formed in the spring of 2018 in response to an appeal by the Department of Asian Languages and Literature to preserve and strengthen classical Japanese studies at UW.
Learn More ➜Vietnamese Language Learning Video Production
We help Vietnamese instructors record some Vietnamese dialogue videos to help students learn more efficiently.
Learn More ➜Sanskrit at UW Informational Video
In partnership with the UW department of Asian Languages and Literature, the LLC produced a promotional/informational video about their long-running Sanskrit program.
Learn More ➜Research Publication Highlights
- Hugo, R. (in press). Indigenous language revitalization in the Pacific Northwest. In K. Denham (Ed.), Northwest Voices. University of Washington Press.
- Yaden, B., Viana da Silva, E., Anciaux Aoki, M. & S. Abramova (2018). Getting to Advanced: Challenging High School Heritage Language Learners to Step Outside of Their Comfort Zone. The Language Educator (Mar/Apr)
- Mapping and Enhancing Language Learning - Reports
Presentation Highlights
- 2018. The Role of Language Centers at Institutions with Increasing Centralized Technology services. WAFLT-COFLT Fall Conference 2018, Portland, OR, October.
- 2017. Future Directions for Lexical Learning and Assessment Applications. International Association for Language Learning Technology. Concordia College, Moorhead, MN, June.
Applications, Archives and Research Tools
Technical and Web Development Support
- Mapping and Enhancing Language Learning
- Lushootseed Research
- Folk Linguistic Online Mapping (Research Application)
- QIIAS Applied Linguistic Research Methodology/Tool
- UW Sociolinguistics Lab
- UW Phonetics Lab
- Seattle to Spokane: Mapping English in Washington State
- Sahaptin Dictionary
- Slavic East European Teachers Association of Washington (SEETAW)
- Northwest Association for Language Learning Technologies (NWALLT)
- Graduate Certificate in Second and Foreign Language Teaching (SFLT)
Working Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm