The Center for the Advancement
of Distinguished Language Proficiency was founded at San Diego
State University in May 2002 as an affiliate of the Language
Acquisition Resource Center. Its purpose is to build upon
national capacity in developing near-native foreign language proficiency
through research and training.
In this 21st century globalized
society there is a growing need for language and cross-cultural
experts who possess a good understanding of nuances, subtleties,
and hidden meanings in foreign speech. Individuals who are socioculturally
sophisticated, who can apply the appropriate sociolinguistics
and sociopragmatics, and who can use foreign language as effectively
as a native language can best meet this need. Building the resources
to develop such experts is the raison d'être of the ADLP
Center.
To achieve this end, the ADLP Center has focused on four activities:
- Direct instruction (through onsite and online courses)
taught by collaborating foreign universities.
- Materials Development (to be used by teachers and students
in/out of the classroom)
- Research Projects (to discern how Level 4 is most efficient
& effectively learned and taught at this level.)
- Faculty Development (to build a national cadre of teachers
experienced at teaching Level 4)
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