The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education have designated UALR’s undergraduate and graduate foreign language education programs in the Department of International and Second Languages “Nationally Recognized” – the only such programs in Arkansas.

The top ranking puts UALR’s second language teachers and programs in the same league with programs at George Washington University, Catholic University of America, Johns Hopkins University, University of Southern Mississippi, Rowan University, Ohio University, Oklahoma State University, University of Rhode Island, Furman University, College of Charleston, and the University of Wyoming – all of which have also received “Nationally Recognized” status from ACTFL/NCATE.

“This is the culmination of some six years of work on the department’s part and being ‘Nationally Recognized’ indicates to the country that students who have graduated from UALR in foreign language education have pursued a rigorous plan of studies. It demonstrates a high level of competency in content, pedagogy, and professional development,” said Dave McAlpine, graduate program coordinator at DISL.