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by Mandy Gettler, CASLS Associate Director

CASLS recently joined a revived University of Oregon Language Council. With a national trend of 20% declining enrollment in higher education language courses, the UO Language Council will tackle the challenge of bringing language education back to the forefront of the campus’ academic mission.

“We will find a way to reverse the tide of declining language enrollment,” declared Vice Provost for International Affairs Dennis Galvan. “This group will be instrumental in developing concrete steps that will lead to the reinvigoration and transformation of language education on campus.”

The Language Council formed five working groups focused on:

• Streamlining central support processes in a way that helps students identify language and culture study as an option
• Conducting market research and developing a marketing campaign
• Identifying ways to demonstrate to students the benefits of language and culture study,
• Innovating language curriculum
• Coordinating policy among Council members

CASLS Director Dr. Julie Sykes will join the working group focused on curricular innovations, and CASLS Associate Director Mandy Gettler will join the group conducting market research. Both will be invested in coordinating policy among Council members.

The Language Council meeting was convened by the Vice Provost for International Affairs Dennis Galvan, Senior Italian Instructor Harinder Khalsa, and Yamada Language Center Director and long-time CASLS collaborator Jeff Magoto.