Languages & Cultures

Cultures & Languages | Decio 131
Come join us for a fun time and practice your Japanese conversation skills with snacks and friends!

Cultures & Languages | Browning Cinema
This course will be the nineteenth iteration of Learning Beyond the Classics, beginning on Thursday, January 22 at 6:30pm, and prorated signups are allowed for the weeks after that. More information follows and please do feel free to forward this email to friends, listservs, French-language speakers, folks who took French in high school whose eyes will not be straying from the subtitles, and anyone else interested in some art, education, and fellowship.Landing PageLink to Enroll In collaboration with Aïssa Maïga’s visit to the University of Notre Dame in March, this course focuses on classic French-language cinema as well as French-language films that transcend national boundaries, depicting movements and individuals who go beyond borders and allow us to understand how current cinematic creations are not limited to “Franco-French” actors and productions, but extend around the globe. The focus for that will be performances by some of the most famous and award-winning French actresses of the last generations, while incorporating performances from French-language actresses who have recently appeared on the scene, bringing new voices and freshness to the pantheon of great female performances.   Scheduled Films, All at 6:30pmJan 22 - 8 Women (2002) Jan 29 - Hiroshima Mon Amour (1959) Feb 5 - Band of Outsiders (1964) Feb 12 - Possession (1981) Feb 19 - Jane B. for Agnes V. (1988) Feb 26 -The Piano Teacher (2001) Mar 5 - Black Girl (1966) Mar 19 - Saint Omer (2022) Apr 9 - Code Unknown (2000) Apr 16 - Dheepan (2015) Apr 23 - Atlantics (2019) Apr 30 - The Artist (2011)Sponsors David A. Heskin and Marilou Brill Endowment for Excellence Department of Romance Languages and Literatures . The course (including a ticket to all 12 screenings) is $48 total and free for HC, IUSB, ND, SMC, and local HS students. That includes a ticket to each of the films, course readings, and discussions after the films. You can sign up at the above-linked enrollment page (linked again here for convenience), in person at the box office (e.g., when arriving for the first film), or phone the box office at 574.631.2800. We hope that the price point opens the class to many people, but also recognize that it's a lot of money for some folks. If cost will be a barrier to enrolling, then please let me know.Some quick answers to FAQ's: 1. Yes, you can join the class if you miss up until the third screening. 2. No, attendance is not required. 3. Yes, you can attend films individually without signing up for the class.   If you have any questions, don't hesitate to email Ricky Herbst directly at rherbst@nd.edu.  

Cultures & Languages | DeBartolo 140
The 17th Annual Chinese Speech Contest will be held on Thursday, April 9, at 7:00 p.m. in DeBartolo 140 Hosted by the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures, the event is co-sponsored by theLiu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies. This event is free and open to the public. Originally published at eastasian.nd.edu.

Cultures & Languages | Hesburgh Library Carey Auditorium
Join the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures for our annual Sakura Matsuri, a vibrant celebration of the Cherry Blossom Festival. The event will take place in the Hesburgh Library Carey Auditorium. Experience a dedicated program celebrating Japanese culture and the arrival of spring. Following the main program, please join us for a reception to conclude the festivities. This event is sponsored by:  the College of Arts and Letters ,  theLiu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies , the Center for the Study of Languages and Cultures,  the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures, and theJapan Club Originally published at eastasian.nd.edu.

Cultures & Languages | Collaboration Hub 120
Join other language learners in our multi-language reading club! Spend an hour relaxing, reading for fun in the company of others. Bring a foreign language book, magazine, or newspaper or read one from the library collection.

Cultures & Languages | Decio 151
Master Hangul, the Korean alphabet, with Catholic prayers at the Korean Language Table! Questions? Contact Prof. Kang (hkang2@nd.edu).

Cultures & Languages | Decio 131
Come join us for a fun time and practice your Japanese conversation skills with snacks and friends!

Cultures & Languages | Max Kade Commons, 117 Decio Hall
Join us for our last Slavic Tea Party of the semester! We will have crafts, food, and lots of fun. We hope to see you there! Originally published at germanandslavic.nd.edu.

Cultures & Languages | Geddes Hall Chapel
Please join us as we celebrate Christ with a mass and liturgy in German. All are welcome, and guidance in both English and German will be provided. Officiant: Fr. Christian Ivandic. For more information or if you would like to volunteer to help, please contact Eva Hoeckner (ehoeckn2@nd.edu). Co-sponsored by Campus Ministry.

Cultures & Languages | Browning Cinema
This course will be the nineteenth iteration of Learning Beyond the Classics, beginning on Thursday, January 22 at 6:30pm, and prorated signups are allowed for the weeks after that. More information follows and please do feel free to forward this email to friends, listservs, French-language speakers, folks who took French in high school whose eyes will not be straying from the subtitles, and anyone else interested in some art, education, and fellowship.Landing PageLink to Enroll In collaboration with Aïssa Maïga’s visit to the University of Notre Dame in March, this course focuses on classic French-language cinema as well as French-language films that transcend national boundaries, depicting movements and individuals who go beyond borders and allow us to understand how current cinematic creations are not limited to “Franco-French” actors and productions, but extend around the globe. The focus for that will be performances by some of the most famous and award-winning French actresses of the last generations, while incorporating performances from French-language actresses who have recently appeared on the scene, bringing new voices and freshness to the pantheon of great female performances.   Scheduled Films, All at 6:30pmJan 22 - 8 Women (2002) Jan 29 - Hiroshima Mon Amour (1959) Feb 5 - Band of Outsiders (1964) Feb 12 - Possession (1981) Feb 19 - Jane B. for Agnes V. (1988) Feb 26 -The Piano Teacher (2001) Mar 5 - Black Girl (1966) Mar 19 - Saint Omer (2022) Apr 9 - Code Unknown (2000) Apr 16 - Dheepan (2015) Apr 23 - Atlantics (2019) Apr 30 - The Artist (2011)Sponsors David A. Heskin and Marilou Brill Endowment for Excellence Department of Romance Languages and Literatures . The course (including a ticket to all 12 screenings) is $48 total and free for HC, IUSB, ND, SMC, and local HS students. That includes a ticket to each of the films, course readings, and discussions after the films. You can sign up at the above-linked enrollment page (linked again here for convenience), in person at the box office (e.g., when arriving for the first film), or phone the box office at 574.631.2800. We hope that the price point opens the class to many people, but also recognize that it's a lot of money for some folks. If cost will be a barrier to enrolling, then please let me know.Some quick answers to FAQ's: 1. Yes, you can join the class if you miss up until the third screening. 2. No, attendance is not required. 3. Yes, you can attend films individually without signing up for the class.   If you have any questions, don't hesitate to email Ricky Herbst directly at rherbst@nd.edu.  

Cultures & Languages | Zoom
The start and end times for this event are to be announced. At a time of anticipated and unanticipated change, what steps can we take to meet students where they are while strengthening and sustaining our programs? We invite proposals that describe successful strategies, practices, and policies that have worked for your courses, your language, your program, department, or institution. Topics may include:Design or redesign of courses and/or course sequencesContent- or theme-based coursesNew minors, majors, or certificationsInterdisciplinary projects or programsDepartmental or programmatic management in a changing language-learning landscapeAddressing changes in student populations and learning needsAttracting more diverse groups of studentsEmpirical research on pedagogical innovationsAdditional topics related to the themeAll presentations are 20 minutes, with 10 minutes for Q&A. Language instructors at all levels are invited to submit proposals; all languages are welcome, but the language of the Symposium is English. For information on past symposia, click here. Questions about your proposal? ccbauman@uchicago.edu Submit a Proposal Proposal submission deadline: Monday, February 2, 2026 We are pleased to share information about our keynote speakers! From Crisis to Catalyst: Transforming Language Curricula for the FutureFederica Santini & Brian Olovson, Department of World Languages and Cultures, Kennesaw State University, Georgia In this keynote address, we examine a strategic curricular redesign in a university-level World Languages and Cultures department that increased enrollment and strengthened student learning outcomes. Grounded in program review findings, the 2021 MLA Report, the 2019 ACTFL Report, and current scholarship in language education, we confront persistent barriers that have limited the vitality of many language majors, including inflexible structures, legacy content, and outcomes that do not reflect contemporary learner and societal needs. We articulate a clear rationale for change and outline the guiding principles that shaped our redesign: flexibility without dilution, cultural competence as a core outcome, career readiness as an explicit promise, and inclusivity as a design requirement rather than an add-on. We then move from principles to implementation, showing how those commitments translated into specific program architecture and measurable momentum. We detail how we reduced and clarified core major and minor requirements, expanded elective choice, introduced career-oriented credentials, and removed hidden prerequisites that delayed progress and discouraged continuation. Using concrete examples from our revised course menu and credential pathways, we illustrate how language curricula can foreground contemporary cultural and professional themes while still supporting strong language development. We conclude with evidence-informed lessons learned and a set of adaptable design choices that departments can use to streamline degree progression, broaden participation, and build durable enrollment growth while preparing graduates for diverse professional futures in an interconnected world.

Cultures & Languages | Decio 131
Come join us for a fun time and practice your Japanese conversation skills with snacks and friends!

Cultures & Languages | Zoom
This workshop provides strategies for navigating the academic publishing process. Topics include identifying the appropriate journals, handling peer review feedback, managing the revision process, and negotiating the contract once the paper is accepted. Register here

Cultures & Languages | Decio 117
Join us crafts, food, songs, fun activities in German!

Cultures & Languages | DeBartolo 131
What do students do with feedback after a written assessment? In this presentation, Professors Shauna Williams and Monica Jancha of the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures will share their methods for encouraging student engagement with feedback while promoting deeper and more meaningful learning in the language classroom. Following their presentation of approaches, student work samples, and survey data, participants can share best practices across the languages during a collaborative roundtable discussion.

Cultures & Languages | Browning Cinema
This course will be the nineteenth iteration of Learning Beyond the Classics, beginning on Thursday, January 22 at 6:30pm, and prorated signups are allowed for the weeks after that. More information follows and please do feel free to forward this email to friends, listservs, French-language speakers, folks who took French in high school whose eyes will not be straying from the subtitles, and anyone else interested in some art, education, and fellowship.Landing PageLink to Enroll In collaboration with Aïssa Maïga’s visit to the University of Notre Dame in March, this course focuses on classic French-language cinema as well as French-language films that transcend national boundaries, depicting movements and individuals who go beyond borders and allow us to understand how current cinematic creations are not limited to “Franco-French” actors and productions, but extend around the globe. The focus for that will be performances by some of the most famous and award-winning French actresses of the last generations, while incorporating performances from French-language actresses who have recently appeared on the scene, bringing new voices and freshness to the pantheon of great female performances.   Scheduled Films, All at 6:30pmJan 22 - 8 Women (2002) Jan 29 - Hiroshima Mon Amour (1959) Feb 5 - Band of Outsiders (1964) Feb 12 - Possession (1981) Feb 19 - Jane B. for Agnes V. (1988) Feb 26 -The Piano Teacher (2001) Mar 5 - Black Girl (1966) Mar 19 - Saint Omer (2022) Apr 9 - Code Unknown (2000) Apr 16 - Dheepan (2015) Apr 23 - Atlantics (2019) Apr 30 - The Artist (2011)Sponsors David A. Heskin and Marilou Brill Endowment for Excellence Department of Romance Languages and Literatures . The course (including a ticket to all 12 screenings) is $48 total and free for HC, IUSB, ND, SMC, and local HS students. That includes a ticket to each of the films, course readings, and discussions after the films. You can sign up at the above-linked enrollment page (linked again here for convenience), in person at the box office (e.g., when arriving for the first film), or phone the box office at 574.631.2800. We hope that the price point opens the class to many people, but also recognize that it's a lot of money for some folks. If cost will be a barrier to enrolling, then please let me know.Some quick answers to FAQ's: 1. Yes, you can join the class if you miss up until the third screening. 2. No, attendance is not required. 3. Yes, you can attend films individually without signing up for the class.   If you have any questions, don't hesitate to email Ricky Herbst directly at rherbst@nd.edu.  

Cultures & Languages | Decio 344
The Portuguese language table is a welcoming space for students, faculty, and staff to practice Portuguese in a relaxed, informal setting. Open to learners of all levels, the table provides an opportunity to build speaking confidence, improve listening skills, and expand cultural knowledge through conversation.

Cultures & Languages | Chapel of Christ the Teacher
Please join us as we celebrate Christ with a Mass and liturgy in Kiwahili. Guidance in both English and Kiswahili will be provided. Join us for a social gathering after Mass. Officiant: Fr. David Kashangaki, CSC from Kenya. For more information or if you would like to volunteer to help, please contact Eva Hoeckner (ehoeckn2@nd.edu). Co-sponsored by Campus Ministry.

Cultures & Languages | Browning Cinema
This course will be the nineteenth iteration of Learning Beyond the Classics, beginning on Thursday, January 22 at 6:30pm, and prorated signups are allowed for the weeks after that. More information follows and please do feel free to forward this email to friends, listservs, French-language speakers, folks who took French in high school whose eyes will not be straying from the subtitles, and anyone else interested in some art, education, and fellowship.Landing PageLink to Enroll In collaboration with Aïssa Maïga’s visit to the University of Notre Dame in March, this course focuses on classic French-language cinema as well as French-language films that transcend national boundaries, depicting movements and individuals who go beyond borders and allow us to understand how current cinematic creations are not limited to “Franco-French” actors and productions, but extend around the globe. The focus for that will be performances by some of the most famous and award-winning French actresses of the last generations, while incorporating performances from French-language actresses who have recently appeared on the scene, bringing new voices and freshness to the pantheon of great female performances.   Scheduled Films, All at 6:30pmJan 22 - 8 Women (2002) Jan 29 - Hiroshima Mon Amour (1959) Feb 5 - Band of Outsiders (1964) Feb 12 - Possession (1981) Feb 19 - Jane B. for Agnes V. (1988) Feb 26 -The Piano Teacher (2001) Mar 5 - Black Girl (1966) Mar 19 - Saint Omer (2022) Apr 9 - Code Unknown (2000) Apr 16 - Dheepan (2015) Apr 23 - Atlantics (2019) Apr 30 - The Artist (2011)Sponsors David A. Heskin and Marilou Brill Endowment for Excellence Department of Romance Languages and Literatures . The course (including a ticket to all 12 screenings) is $48 total and free for HC, IUSB, ND, SMC, and local HS students. That includes a ticket to each of the films, course readings, and discussions after the films. You can sign up at the above-linked enrollment page (linked again here for convenience), in person at the box office (e.g., when arriving for the first film), or phone the box office at 574.631.2800. We hope that the price point opens the class to many people, but also recognize that it's a lot of money for some folks. If cost will be a barrier to enrolling, then please let me know.Some quick answers to FAQ's: 1. Yes, you can join the class if you miss up until the third screening. 2. No, attendance is not required. 3. Yes, you can attend films individually without signing up for the class.   If you have any questions, don't hesitate to email Ricky Herbst directly at rherbst@nd.edu.