About Us

Welcome to the Website of the IUPUI Department of World Languages and Cultures!

More than ever before, language knowledge and cross-cultural understanding are needed to participate effectively in a diverse and interdependent world and to compete successfully in the increasingly globalized market place. We, the faculty in WLAC, are equipped to provide you with the skills that you need to meet the cross-cultural challenges of the new century. Our department includes well-known experts in foreign language pedagogy, linguistics, cultural and literary studies, translation, and heritage studies.

WLAC has established a reputation for teaching and research excellence, pedagogical innovation, leadership in teacher education, and application of language and culture study to textual analysis, intercultural communication, business and engineering, medical training, modern media, and translation.

Class size in all our courses is restricted to encourage individual participation and interaction. The communicative approach to language acquisition encourages student self-expression and collaborative learning. As a result, the language classroom creates an ideal environment for students’ academic and social development. In addition, each program has a language club and program of cultural activities, including conversation hour, lectures, films, immersion events, and field trips.

Off campus, the vibrant international community of the Indiana capital offers access to many cultural events related to students’ language interests, along with opportunities for language practice with native speakers through service learning, as well as access to employment opportunities.

Do you want to find out more about our course and program offerings? Please take a look at our website. We look forward to communicating with you by email, phone or in person.

Thank you for your interest in world languages and cultures.

Gabrielle Bersier
Professor and Chair of WLAC