About the Penn Language Center

The Penn Language Center (PLC) was established in 1989 for the purpose of expanding, intensifying, and enriching the University of Pennsylvania's language curriculum. Penn has a long and distinguished record in the teaching of foreign languages and plays a leading role in all the major research fields related to foreign language learning. Language learning is highly integrated into both the curriculum and the research efforts of the academic community. The most significant feature of the PLC has been its structural flexibility, which has made it possible to respond to changes in demand for instruction in a variety of languages. In offering over 40 languages every academic year, the PLC is able to serve growing language instruction needs that could not be covered within the regular programs of established departments. PLC offers over 40 languages every academic year.

The PLC leads Penn’s efforts to implement the Five Cs of foreign language education (Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities) in less-commonly taught languages, laying out strategies, values, and teaching principles to govern the PLC mission. The PLC aligns its high teaching standards with the ACTFL standards and provides opportunities for professional training for all its full- and part-time language instructors.