Professional Organizations


Below is a list of professional associations and programs that are centered around language and/or culture, or have a major international/intercultural division within the organization. The list is divided into national and international organizations, and organizations local to the University of Minnesota and its surrounding community. Most of the organizations listed have periodical publications, conference announcements, and other resources available.

National and International Organizations


American Association for Applied Linguistics (AAAL)

Sarah Jackson
American Association for Applied Linguistics 
PMB 321
2900 Delk Road, Suite 700
Marietta, GA 30067
Phone: (678) 229-2892 
Fax: (678) 229-2777
E-mail: info@aaal.org
Website: www.aaal.org
The American Association for Applied Linguistics (AAAL) is a professional organization of scholars who are interested in and actively contribute to the multi-disciplinary field of applied linguistics. AAAL members promote principled approaches to language-related concerns, including language education, acquisition and loss, bilingualism, discourse analysis, literacy, rhetoric and stylistics, language for special purposes, psycholinguistics, second and foreign language pedagogy, language assessment, and language policy and planning.

American Association of Teachers of Arabic (AATL)

3416 Primm Lane
Birmingham, Alabama 35216 USA
Phone: (205) 822-6800
Fax: (205) 823-2760
E-mail: info@aataweb.org
Website: www.aataweb.org
American Association of Teachers of Arabic (AATA) aims to facilitate communication and cooperation between teachers of Arabic and to promote study, criticism, research and instruction in the field of Arabic language pedagogy, Arabic linguistics and Arabic literature.

American Association of Teachers of French (AATF)

AATF National Headquarters
Mailcode 4510
Southern Illinois University
Carbondale, IL 62901
Phone: (618) 453-5731
Fax: (618) 453-5733
E-mail: abrate@siu.edu
Website: www.frenchteachers.org
The largest national association of French teachers in the world with nearly 10,000 members. The mission of the AATF is to advance the study of the French language and French-speaking literatures and cultures both in schools and in the general public. 

American Association of Teachers of German (AATG)

112 Haddontowne Court, # 104
Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08034
Phone: (856) 795-5553
Fax: (856) 795-9398
E-mail: headquarters@aatg.org
Website: www.aatg.org
With 5000 members, the AATG is for teachers of German at all levels of instruction and all those interested in the teaching of German. It's the only national individual membership organization dedicated to the advancement and improvement of the language, literature, and culture of the German-speaking countries.

American Association of Teachers of Japanese (AATJ)

1424 Broadway
366 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309
Phone: (303) 492-5487
Fax: (303) 492-5856
Email: aatj@aatj.org 
Website: www.aatj.org
The American Association of Teachers of Japanese (AATJ) is a non-profit, non-political organization of individuals and institutions seeking to promote the study of Japanese language, linguistics, literature, culture, and pedagogy, at all levels of instruction. AATJ fosters professional development, the promotion of Japanese and foreign language education, and the exchange of research, and seeks to coordinate its activities with related organizations to promote Japanese studies, including a network of state and regional affiliate organizations.

The American Association of Teachers of Slavic and East European Languages (AATSEEL)

Elizabeth Durst, Ph.D.
Executive Director, AATSEEL of U.S., Inc.
University of Southern California
3501 Trousdale Parkway
THH 255L
Los Angeles, CA 90089
Phone: (213) 740-2734
Fax: (213) 740-8550
Email: aatseel@usc.edu
Website: www.aatseel.org
The American Association of Teachers of Slavic and East European Languages exists to advance the study and promote the teaching of Slavic and East European languages, literatures, and cultures on all educational levels, elementary through graduate school.

American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP)

900 Ladd Road
Walled Lake, MI  48390
Greeley, CO 80639
Phone: (248) 960-2180
Fax: (248) 960-9570 
Email: AATSPoffice@aatsp.org
Website: www.aatsp.org
The American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP) has promotes the study and teaching of Hispanic, Luso-Brazilian, and other related languages, literatures, and cultures at all levels.

American Council of Teachers of Russian (ACTR)

1828 L Street N.W., Suite 1200
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 833-7522
Fax: (202) 833-7523
Website: membership.actr.org
The American Council of Teachers of Russian (ACTR), founded in 1974, is a professional membership association for teachers and others interested in Russian language, literature and culture. With more than 1,650 members, ACTR is dedicated to advancing the teaching and study of Russian through publications, programs, and conferences. ACTR is a Division of American Councils for International Education.

American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL)

1001 N. Fairfax Street, Suite 200
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: (703) 894-2900
Fax: (703) 894-2905
Email: headquarters@actfl.org
Website: www.actfl.org
The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) is dedicated to the improvement and expansion of the teaching and learning of all languages at all levels of instruction. ACTFL is an individual membership organization of more than 12,000 language educators and administrators from elementary through graduate education, as well as government and industry.

American Councils for International Education

1828 L Street N.W., Suite 1200
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 833-7522
Fax: (202) 833-7523
Website: www.americancouncils.org
Founded as an association for area and language professionals, American Councils has focused its expertise on academic exchange, professional training, distance learning, curriculum and test development, delivery of technical assistance, research, evaluation, and institution building.

AFS

AFS International
71 West 23rd Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY  10010
Phone: 212-807-8686
Fax: (212) 807-1001
Website: www.afs.org
AFS U.S. office
One Whitehall Street, 2nd Floor
New York, NY  10004
Phone: (212) 299-9000
Fax (212) 299-9090
Email: afsinfo@afs.org       
Website: www.afsusa.org
AFS is a non-profit international exchange organization for students and adults that operates in more than 50 countries. AFS-USA works toward a more just and peaceful world by providing international and intercultural learning experiences to individuals, families, schools, and communities through a global volunteer partnership.

American Forum for Global Education

The American Forum for Global Education is currently reforming. However, they still offer and excellent set of language and intercultural education curriculum resources: www.globaled.org/database/BrowseResources.php

American Management Association

1601 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Phone(s): (212) 586-8100
Fax: (212) 903-8168 
Email: customerservice@amanet.org
Websites: www.amanet.org, www.amanet.org/advantage/amaworldwide.aspx
The American Management Association (AMA) is the world's leading membership-based management development organization. AMA offers a full range of business education and management development programs for individuals and organizations in Europe, the Americas and Asia.

Comparative and International Education Society (CIES)

Email: secretariat@cies.us
Website: www.cies.us
The Comparative and International Education Society (CIES) is a scholarly association dedicated to increasing the understanding of educational issues, trends and policies through comparative, cross-cultural and international perspectives. Its nearly 2,500 individual members--researchers, analysts, practitioners and students--use different conceptual frameworks to explore topics related to education. The Language Issues Significant Interest Group (cieslanguagesig.wordpress.com) may be of particular interest to language and intercultural educators.

Chinese Language Teachers Association (CLTA)

CLTA Headquarters
Department of Foreign Language & Literature
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
P.O Box 413
Milwaukee, WI 53201
Phone: (414) 229-5837 or (414) 229-2492
Fax: (414) 229-2741
Email: clta@clta-us.org
Website: clta-us.org/about-clta
The Chinese Language Teachers Association (CLTA) promotes the study of Chinese language and culture in an international context. As a professional organization, CLTA represents Chinese language teachers in all educational settings. It supports establishing and sustaining quality Chinese programs, K-16 articulation, teacher education and professional development, and research relating to all aspects of teaching and learning about Chinese languages and cultures.

Council on International Education Exchange (CIEE)

300 Fore Street
Portland, ME  04101
Phone: (207) 553-4000
Fax: (207) 553-4299
Email: contact@ciee.org
Website: www.ciee.org
CIEE is a nonprofit, non-governmental international exchange organization whose mission is to help people gain understanding, acquire knowledge, and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world. CIEE develops and administers programs, advocates for the advancement of international education, and builds knowledge through research, publications, and conferences.

Education First (EF)

1 Education Street
Cambridge, MA 02141
Phone: (800) 457-1300
Fax: (800) 590-1125
Email: inquiry@ef.com
Website: www.ef.com
For almost 50 years, EF has helped millions of people become citizens of the world by breaking down barriers of language, culture and geography. Through cultural exchanges, educational travel, language training and degree programs, EF is a World Leader in International Education.

Educators for Social Responsibility

23 Garden Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
Phone: (617) 492-1764
Fax: (617) 864-5164
Email: educators@esrnational.org
Website: www.esrnational.org
Educators for Social Responsibility (ESR) works directly with educators to implement systemic practices that create safe, caring, and equitable schools so that all young people succeed in school and life, and help shape a safe, democratic and just world.

Federation EIL (Experiment in International Living)

70 Landmark Hill, Suite 204
Brattleboro, VT 05301
Phone and Fax: (802) 246-1154
Email: director@federationeil.org
Website: federationeil.org
Federation EIL is the international non-profit association which represents the global network of The Experiment in International Living (EIL). Each organization offers programs of cultural exchange, including homestays, foreign language training, educational group travel, voluntary community service, work exchange and other cultural immersion and customized programs.

Institute of International Education (IIE)

809 United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017
Phone: (212) 883-8200
Fax: (212) 984-5452
Website: http://www.iie.org
IIE’s mission is to advance international education and access to education worldwide. IIE accomplishes this by: managing scholarships, training, exchange and leadership programs; conducting research and facilitating policy dialogue on global higher education; protecting scholarship around the world. IIE offers numerous language and culture programs including the Boren Awards, the Fulbright Program, the Language Flagship, and the Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program. Consult the program finder (http://www.iie.org/Program-Finder) to search for relevant information.

Intercultural Communication Institute

8835 SW Canyon Lane, Suite 238
Portland, OR 97225
Phone: (503) 297-4622
Fax: (503) 297-4795
Email: ici@intercultural.org
Website: http://www.intercultural.org
The Intercultural Communication Institute (ICI) is a nonprofit charity with the mission of fostering an awareness and appreciation of cultural difference in both the international and domestic arenas.

International Academy of Intercultural Research

17-123 Palula Place
Keaau, HI 96749
Phone: (808) 966-9891
Email: danl@hawaii.edu
Website: www.intercultural-academy.net
The Primary Purpose of the Academy is to promote intercultural understanding.  Accordingly, it promotes and encourages research, theory, and practice in the field of intercultural relations. The Academy also strives to disseminate to the public information regarding intercultural relations and it encourages interchanges between people with an interest in intercultural relations. The ultimate goal of the Academy is to promote world peace and prosperity through applications of academic principles and research findings to the betterment of human realities.

International Communication Association

Intercultural Communication Division
1500 21st Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 955-1444
Fax: (202) 955-1448
Email: icahdq@icahdq.org
Website: www.icahdq.org
The International Communication Association aims to advance the scholarly study of human communication by encouraging and facilitating excellence in academic research worldwide. Divisions of particular interest to language and intercultural educators are Intercultural Communication and Language and Social Interaction.

National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE)

8701 Georgia Avenue, Suite 700
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: (240) 450-3700
Fax: (240) 450-3799
Email: NABE@nabe.org
Website: www.nabe.org
NABE's mission is to advocate for our nation's Bilingual and English Language Learners and families and to cultivate a multilingual multicultural society by supporting and promoting policy, programs, pedagogy, research, and professional development that yield academic success, value native language, lead to English proficiency, and respect cultural and linguistic diversity.

NAFSA: Association of International Educators

1307 New York Avenue, NW, Eighth Floor
Washington, DC 20005 USA
Phone: (202) 737-3699
Fax: (202) 737-3657
Email: inbox@nafsa.org
Website: www.nafsa.org
NAFSA is an association of individuals worldwide advancing international education and exchange and global workforce development. NAFSA serves international educators and their institutions and organizations by establishing principles of good practice, providing training and professional development opportunities, providing networking opportunities, and advocating for international education.

The National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition and Language Instruction Educational Programs (NCELA)

The George Washington University Center
for the Study of Language & Education
2011 Eye Street NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20006
Phone: (202) 467-0867
Fax: (202) 467-4283
Email: askncela@gwu.edu
Website: www.ncela.gwu.edu
The National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition collects, coordinates and conveys a broad range of research and resources in support of an inclusive approach to high quality education for ELLs. To fulfill its mission NCELA supports high quality networking among state-level administrators of Title III programs.

Rotary International

Rotary International
1 Rotary Center
1560 Sherman Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201
Phone: (847) 866-3000
Fax: (847) 328-4101
Website: www.rotary.org/en/StudentsAndYouth/Pages/ridefault.aspx
Rotary's programs for students and youth can change the lives of those who participate. Through these programs, young people can earn scholarships, travel on cultural exchanges, or help a community through a service project.

SIETAR USA

8835 SW Canyon Lane, Suite 238
Portland, Oregon 97225
Phone: (503) 297-4622
Email: info@sietarusa.org
Website: www.sietarusa.org
The mission of SIETAR USA is to promote and facilitate international education, training, and research through professional interchange.

Teachers of English to Speakers of other Languages (TESOL)

1925 Ballenger Avenue, Suite 550
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: (703) 836-0774
Fax: (703) 836-7864 or (703) 836-6447
Email: info@tesol.org 
Website: www.tesol.org
TESOL's mission is to advance professional expertise in English language teaching and learning for speakers of other languages worldwide.

Union of International Associations (UIA)

Rue Washington 40
B-1050 Ixelles, Brussels
BELGIUM
Phone: +32-2-640-18-08
E-mail: uia@uia.org
Website: www.uia.org
The UIA serves two main purposes: to maintain and provide comprehensive, up-to-date, and reliable information on international associations, their activities and concerns, and their meetings activities; and to support and facilitate the work of international associations through training and networking opportunities.

World Learning

1 Kipling Road
P.O. Box 676
Brattleboro, VT 05302
Phone: (802) 257-7751
Fax: (802) 258-3248
E-mail: info@worldlearning.org
Website: www.worldlearning.org
World Learning is a nonprofit organization advancing leadership in more than 60 countries. World Learning envisions a just world, driven by engaged citizens and thriving communities. To achieve this goal, their mission is to empower people and strengthen institutions through education, exchange, and development programs.

World Savvy

1304 University Avenue NE, Suite 307
Minneapolis, MN 55413
Phone: (612) 767-4438
Fax: (888) 452-0993
Website: worldsavvy.org
World Savvy prepares the next generation of leaders to learn, work and thrive as responsible global citizens in the 21st century. World Savvy supports systemic change in K-12 education to provide every student in every classroom with the content knowledge, skills, values and attitudes to be leaders and change makers in their diverse communities, locally and globally.

Youth for Understanding

6400 Goldsboro Road, Suite 100
Bethseda, MD  20817
Phone: (240) 235-2100
Fax: (240) 235-2104
Email: admissions@yfu.org
Website: www.yfu.org
Youth For Understanding (YFU) is a non-profit international educational organization with programs in 64 countries. One of the world's oldest, largest, and most respected exchange organizations.

In addition, Gale Cengage Learning also publishes many reference books, which list professional language/culture associations and organizations including:

  • Encyclopedic Directory of Ethnic Newspapers and Periodicals in the U.S.
  • Gale Encyclopedia of Multicultural America
  • Encyclopedia of Associations: International Organizations
  • International Research Centers Directory
  • National Directory of Minority-Owned Business Firms

For more information on Gale Cengage Learning publications see their website: www.gale.cengage.com

 

Organizations at the University of Minnesota

Arabic Program

Department of Asian Language and Literatures
220 Folwell Hall
9 Pleasant Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: (612) 625-6534
E-mail: all@umn.edu
Website: www.all.umn.edu/ugrad/arabic/

Chinese Program

Department of Asian Language and Literatures
220 Folwell Hall
9 Pleasant Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: (612) 625-6534
E-mail: all@umn.edu
Website: www.all.umn.edu/chinese_language/

Comparative and International Development Education (CIDE)

Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development
330 Wulling Hall
86 Pleasant Street SE
Phone: (612) 624-1006
Fax: (612) 624-3377
Email: herna220@umn.edu
Website: www.cehd.umn.edu/olpd/grad-programs/CIDE/

Department of French and Italian

314 Folwell Hall
9 Pleasant Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: (612) 624-4308
Fax: (612) 624-6021
Email: frit@umn.edu
Website: cla.umn.edu/frit/

Department of German, Scandinavian, and Dutch

320 Folwell Hall
9 Pleasant Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: (612) 625-2080
Fax: (612) 624-8297
Email: gsd@umn.edu
Website: www.gsd.umn.edu

Department of Spanish and Portuguese

214 Folwell Hall
9 Pleasant Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: (612) 625-5858
Fax: (612) 625-3549
Email: spanport@umn.edu
Website: spanport.cla.umn.edu

Global Programs and Strategy Alliance (GPS Alliance)

100 University International Center
331 17th Avenue Southeast
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: (612) 624-5580
Fax: (612) 626-1730
Email: global@umn.edu
Website: global.umn.edu

International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)

190 Humphrey Center
310 19th Avenue S
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: (612) 626-7100
Fax: (612) 626-7361
Email: isss@tc.umn.edu
Website: www.isss.umn.edu

Japanese Program

Department of Asian Language and Literatures
220 Folwell Hall
9 Pleasant Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: (612) 625-6534
E-mail: all@umn.edu
Website: www.all.umn.edu/japanese_language/home.html

Learning Abroad Center 

230 Heller Hall
271 19th Avenue S
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: (612) 626-9000
Fax: (612) 626-8009
Email: UMabroad@umn.edu
Website: www.umabroad.umn.edu

Minnesota English Language Program (MELP)

160 McNamara Alumni Center
200 Oak Street S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: 612-624-1503
E-mail: cceesl@umn.edu
Website: www.cce.umn.edu/Minnesota-English-Language-Program/

Minnesota International Student Association (MISA)

Coffman Memorial Union, Room 126
300 Washington Avenue SE 
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Email: misa@umn.edu
Website: www.tc.umn.edu/~misa/

Program in Slavic Languages and Literatures

320 Folwell Hall
9 Pleasant Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: (612) 625-5684
Fax: (612) 624-8297
Email: sll@umn.edu
Website: sll.umn.edu

Second Languages and Cultures Education

Department of Curriculum and Instruction
125 Peik Hall
159 Pillsbury Drive SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455 
Phone: (612) 625-1081
Fax: (612) 624-8277
Email: djtedick@umn.edu
Website: www.cehd.umn.edu/ci/Future/PhD/SLC.html

Student Unions and Activities (SUA)

300 Washington Avenue SE, Suite 500
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: (612) 624-4636
Email: suainfo@umn.edu 
Website: www.sua.umn.edu
The cultural and diversity organizations may be of particular interest: sua.umn.edu/groups/directory/index.php?group_by=category - Cultural_and_Diversity

For a comprehensive list of languages taught at the University of Minnesota, please check this website: global.umn.edu/global-u/language_courses.html

 

Local Organizations (Twin Cities)

The Center for Global Education

Augsburg College - Center for Global Education
2211 Riverside Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Phone: (612) 330-1159
Email: globaled@augsburg.edu
Website: www.augsburg.edu/global
The Center for Global Education’s international travel seminars take learning adults around the world, introducing them to the peoples and situations of Mexico, Central America, Southern Africa and other places. The Center’s one-to three-week travel seminars bring participants face-to-face with people of other cultures, people working for justice and struggling for human dignity.


Concordia Language Villages

Concordia College
901 8th Street
Moorhead, MN 56562
Phone: (800) 222-4750
Fax: (218) 299-3807
Email: clv@cord.edu
Website: www.concordialanguagevillages.org
Concordia Language Villages is the premiere language and cultural immersion program in the United States. They advocate for language learning and take pride in their role in creating more language advocates. For 50 years, Concordia Language Villages, in the beautiful North Woods of Minnesota, has been boldly and optimistically pursuing a vision of peace and understanding by introducing learners to the languages and cultures of our world.


Global Volunteers

375 East Little Canada Road
St. Paul, MN 55117
Phone: (800) 487-1074
Fax: (651) 482-0915
Email: email@globalvolunteers.org
Website: www.globalvolunteers.org
Global Volunteers is a private, organization working at the invitation and under the direction of local leaders to deliver the 12 Essential Services to partner communities worldwide. By honoring local problem solving, they engage people in respectful, direct community service.


Interculturalist

Phone: (612) 282-8939
Website: interculturalist.com
Interculturalist works with individuals, teams, and organizations in various sectorsÑbusiness, education, public and non-profit. They design and facilitate a process towards intercultural leadership so organizations can build greater >intercultural capacity


Intercultural Student Experiences (ISE)

129 North 2nd Street, Suite 102
Minneapolis MN 55401
Phone: (800) 892-0022
Website: www.isemn.org
Intercultural Student Experiences (ISE) is a nonprofit organization that has been providing global learning experiences for students since 1972. Since then, tens of thousands of students have enjoyed exciting, enriching, and safe travel and family stay experiences abroad and in the U.S.


Minnesota International Center (MIC)

711 East River Road
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Phone: (612) 625-4421
Fax: (612) 624-1984
Email: mic@umn.edu
Website: www.micglobe.org
The Minnesota International Center (MIC) provides rich and varied opportunities for individuals from Minnesota and around the world to serve as citizen diplomats and to gain a deeper understanding of their place in the world community. Each of MIC’s four program areas (workplace, community, classroom, home) is designed to offer these connections to children and adults alike.


Minnesota International Educators

Website: mn-mie.com
Minnesota International Educators (MIE) is a professional association serving International Educators who work in the areas of International Student & Scholar Services and International Student Admissions & Recruitment at educational institutions across the state of Minnesota. MIE provides International Educators with opportunities to acquire regulatory and programmatic updates, as well as exchange institutional best practices and network with other professionals.


Minnesota Literacy Council

700 Raymond Avenue, Suite 180
St. Paul, MN 55114
Phone: 651-645-2277
Fax: 651-645-2272
Email: email@mnliteracy.org
Website: mnliteracy.org
The Minnesota Literacy Council serves Minnesotans of all ages. Their literacy-rich preschools and summer reading programs start Minnesota’s youngest readers off on the right foot. Free English, GED preparation and job-readiness classes prepare adults for post-secondary education and careers. The MLC also provides support in program best practices, educational technology, volunteer training and national service hosting, which strengthens hundreds of literacy programs across Minnesota.


One Ummah Consulting

254 Rice Creek Boulevard Northeast
Fridley, Minnesota 55432
Phone: (612) 599-6716
Email: info@oneummahconsulting.com
Website: www.oneummahconsulting.com
One Ummah Consulting’s mission is to enhance and improve organizational capacity for diversity and multicultural competency. They design and implement trainings and workshops and also provide organizational development and consultation services to organizations to assist in their development of a multicultural and inclusive organization.


SIETAR MN

Email: sietar.mn@gmail.com
Website: https://www.facebook.com/pages/SIETAR-Minnesota/71645701048
The mission of SIETAR is to promote and facilitate intercultural education, training and research through professional interchange.


 

CARLA Mailing List Signup Contact CARLA CARLA Events Donate to CARLA CARLA on Facebook CARLA on YouTube Twitter
Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA) • 140 University International Center • 331 - 17th Ave SE • Minneapolis, MN 55414