MISSION & GOALS

Mission

     The central mission of the Center for the Advancement of Distinguished Language Proficiency is to serve as a nexus of research, teaching, and curricular development, providing direct evidence of the nature of distinguished language proficiency from those who attain this high level of language capability. Subsequently, we aim to offer on-line and on-site instruction at the highest level in the languages supported by the grant, i.e. Arabic and Persian. ADLP Center researchers and faculty will help learners to understand and appreciate what linguistic (both spoken and written) and cultural skills are needed in order to function at this very high level. Through the fostering of overseas collaborations and enrollment in degree programs, we aim to enable students to be prepared for international work environments, and to encourage them to actively shape their local and global communities.

Goals

1) To support research that contributes not only to specialized knowledge about the nature of distinguished (ILR Level 4) proficiency, but also to curriculum and pedagogy that are innovative and responsive to the intellectual and professional needs of these very advanced and superior-level students.


2) To foster the development of skills in critical thinking, advanced literacy, effective written and oral communication at the distinguished level, language needs awareness, and knowledge of learning strategies.


3) To offer advanced language-learning undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate students on-site and on-line training, and study abroad opportunities in a broad range of disciplines central to the security and prosperity of this nation.


4) To encourage the intellectual and creative development of superior level students by helping them learn about their heritage, or the background knowledge necessary for potential “integration” into an international, and interdisciplinary, “native-like” framework


5) To provide the basis for informed, internationally-focused citizenship in a democracy, including the appreciation of diversity, character, and social justice.