The Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA) is an internationally known research and resource center devoted to improving language teaching and learning based at the University of Minnesota. Launched in 1993, CARLA supports language teachers around the world with summer institutes, workshops, conferences, and research-based instructional and professional development materials.
CARLA’s LRC INITIATIVES (2022–2026)
As a federally-funded Title VI Language Resource Center, the Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA) at the University of Minnesota will carry out seven initiatives and ongoing dissemination in two focal areas: Language-Content Integration and Teacher Education and Advocacy. LANGUAGE-CONTENT INTEGRATION
These three CARLA initiatives will enhance language learning through cultural and academic content:
LITERACIES IN LANGUAGE EDUCATION will strengthen language teachers’ understanding and use of multiliteracies pedagogy by creating a database of instructional activities and enactment videos; organizing cohort-model workshops and lesson plan development for less commonly taught language (LCTL) teachers; and disseminating templates, tools, and teaching materials. SECONDARY DUAL LANGUAGE IMMERSION (DLI): MATERIALS DEVELOPMENT & RESEARCH will support the increase in secondary DLI programs by developing a repository of content-and language-integrated teaching materials; conducting design-based research on the creation of these materials; and offering workshops for immersion teacher educators at Minority-Serving Institutions (MSI). SOCIAL JUSTICE IN LANGUAGE EDUCATION will improve understanding and application of critical pedagogies by researching student and teacher learning in social justice-oriented language classrooms and offering a suite of professional development activities. TEACHER EDUCATION & ADVOCACY
These four CARLA initiatives will enhance teachers’ instructional capacity, support for their students, and communication with stakeholders:
EQUITY & ACCESS TO STATE SEALS OF BILITERACY will provide more equitable access to seals of biliteracy by conducting a national needs analysis; creating customizable toolkits for students, parents, and employers in ten LCTLs; developing assessment supports in six LCTLs; and disseminating materials through social media, the CARLA website, and national partnerships. INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE TEACHER EDUCATION CONFERENCE (ILTE) will provide a forum for language teacher educators to share research and practice by hosting the 12th ILTE; organizing symposia for LCTL, MSI, community college (CC) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) educators; and publishing a conference proceedings. LANGUAGE PROGRAM DIRECTION (LPD) will support novice and aspiring LPDs by publishing interactive, web-based learning modules; facilitating a professional learning community; and supporting the publication of Second Language Research & Practice. PRACTICAL PROGRAM EVALUATION, in collaboration with ACTFL, will improve understanding and implementation of program evaluation by offering summer institutes and workshops for teachers in LCTL, CC, HBCU, MSI, and heritage language programs; creating Open Educational Resources to support program evaluation; and disseminating materials through the CARLA and ACTFL websites and CARLA presentation series. CARLA’s extensive website also offers many resources from these past initiatives: Articulation of Language Instruction; Assessment of Second Language Learning; Content-Based Language Instruction; Culture and Language Learning; Immersion Education and Research; Learner Language Tools for Teachers; Less Commonly Taught Languages; Maximizing Study Abroad Learning; Pragmatics and Speech Acts; and Strategies for Language Learning.
