Global Literacy and Languages for Specific Purposes
The Research Cluster on "Global Literacy and Languages for Specific Purposes: Curricular design for building transferable skills" unites faculty from a range of disciplines to discuss and define shared goals and best practices to provide students with global perspectives and transferable skills aligned with skills employers seek in the contemporary workplace. The cluster explores ways in which the department of World Languages and Literatures can facilitate the design and implementation of interdisciplinary, context-specific programs that respond to employer needs and promote cross-cultural communication skills. Topics of discussion include curricular innovation, academic and corporate partnerships for internships and field work abroad and at home, and the assessment of SMU’s Common Curriculum requirements, with a focus on the integration of world languages and cultures for professional purposes across the curriculum.
Please contact the cluster organizers if you would like to join the group, or collaborate on a workshop:
Paola Buckley, Senior Lecturer of French
Aria Cabot, World Languages and Literatures Teaching and Technology Center Director
FALL 2024:
The cluster members met to discuss preliminary results of their their pilot study (co-funded by a President’s Partners Grant) on "Implementing the Global Seal of Biliteracy in Higher Education Curricula." They also finalized their plans for concluding the study (after testing the final cohort in Fall 2025). The cluster also hosted its biannual reception and showcase of World Languages Internships.
SPRING 2025:
February 20, 2025: Global Seal of Biliteracy Focus Group
The cluster hosted a lunch for undergraduate students who earned the Global Seal of Biliteracy thanks to a pilot study funded by the Dedman College Interdisciplinary Institute and a President's Partners Grant on the potential impacts of integrating the Global Seal in Higher Education World Language Curricula. During the focus group, students discussed their experiences participating in the study and their perceived value of earning a Global Seal through ÃÛÌÒ½´coursework.
February 27, 2025 - Meeting of the Texas Joint Committee for Language (TJCL)
With sponsorship from Avant Assessment and the Region 10 Education Service Center, the cluster hosted the second annual meeting of the Texas Joint Committee for Language (TJCL), an initiative aimed at advancing language education across the state of Texas. The meeting united K-20 representatives from world language programs with the common goal of furthering language education in the state of Texas, breaking down unintentional silos between K-12 and Higher Ed language programs, and fostering collaboration among educators, administrators, and other stakeholders.
March 27, 2025: “Putting Your Languages to Work: 4th Annual Virtual Alumni Panel”
April 3, 2025: Lunch & Learn: Conducting Research at SMU
Date: April 3, 2025
Time: 11:30 AM - 1 PM
Location: Clements Hall 324
April 28, 2025: World Languages Internships Poster Session
Join us for light bites and a poster session featuring current internships in World Languages; attendees will consist of ÃÛÌÒ½´faculty, ÃÛÌÒ½´internship partner institutions, and undergraduate students enrolled in LSP courses or intermediate language courses with a strong community engagement component.
Date: April 28, 2025
Time: 5:30-6:30 PM
Location: HTSC 220BC