Language Resource Center of Columbia University

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! 🎓🦁

Today, as Columbia celebrates Commencement, we are feeling extra proud, and a little emotional. The Language Resource Center is saying a bittersweet graduation goodbye to two of our amazing, long-time student assistants, Jarea and Ben!

If you’ve stopped by the LRC over the past few years, chances are you’ve been helped by their bright smiles, tech savvy, and endless dedication. They have been the heartbeat of our center, making the LRC a welcoming space for language learners across campus.

Jarea and Ben, thank you for the countless hours, the laughs, and the incredible impact you’ve left on our community. We are so grateful for everything you’ve given to the LRC, and we know you are going to do big things in your next chapters.

Congratulations to Jutta Schmiers-Heller on receiving a Presidential Award for Outstanding Teaching! Jutta is Senior Lecturer and Director of the German Language Program in Columbia’s Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures.

Her dedication to teaching, mentorship, and student success continues to inspire generations of learners. Jutta has also been a dedicated participant in LRC events, and we are grateful for her wisdom and intellectual generosity as part of the community of language faculty at Columbia. This recognition is so well-deserved, and a true reflection of the impact she has made both inside and outside the classroom.

Join us in celebrating this incredible achievement and read more about the Presidential Award for Outstanding Teaching at the link in our bio.

New faculty publication! 📚✨

We are excited to announce the release of Say It in Ukrainian by Yuri Shevchuk. As the third installment in his series of Ukrainian language resources, this book offers the first practical course in phonetics designed for every level of learner.

With 412 interactive exercises and contributions from Ukraine’s most celebrated literary figures, it is a groundbreaking tool for mastering the linguistic depth and stylistic richness of the language.

📖 Check our link in bio to learn more

Happy Cinco de Mayo! 🇲🇽✨

Today, we’re celebrating the vibrant history, culture, and resilience of Mexico. At the LRC, we love any occasion that highlights the beauty of the Spanish language and the diverse traditions of the Spanish-speaking world.

Whether you’re a student of Spanish, a heritage speaker, or simply a lover of Mexican culture, we hope your day is filled with community and celebration.

How does language study intersect with climate action? 🌍🗣️

Last Friday, we had an inspiring session at the LRC for our Language and Climate series: Connecting to Communities. We explored how language classrooms can move beyond the textbook to engage directly with real-world sustainability and climate justice.

A huge thank you to our incredible speakers:

🌱 Willie Williams (Assistant Dean for Inclusive Excellence, Columbia Climate School)
🏙️ Jacqueline Klopp (Director of the Center for Sustainable Urban Development)
📚 Francisca Aguiló Mora, LAIC, who shared her innovative climate-oriented student projects
✈️ María Eugenia Lozano, Barnard, who spoke about the Sustainable Communities in Ecuador study abroad program

It was wonderful to see faculty and students brainstorming how to foster deeper community connections through language education.

A gathering of voices, sounds, and memories. 🌍🗣️

Next Friday, Poezio returns to celebrate the vibrant languages spoken and taught at Columbia. We’ve selected an incredible lineup of student poets and performers, and now we need a supportive audience to cheer them on!

From first-year learners to heritage speakers, our students are challenging the idea that poetry requires “mastery.” It requires only the courage to express yourself in another language.

🗓️ Friday, April 24 🕒 3:00 - 4:30 PM 📍 Casa Hispánica

🔗 RSVP using the QR code or the link in our bio to join the audience!

🥨 Refreshments will be served.

Special thanks to Arts & Sciences (Just Humanities Grant) and the Department of Latin American and Iberian Cultures for their support of this event!

LRC HumanitiesEvents