Columbia LRC

Language Classroom Tech Showcase
2025-02-14 13:30 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | NY
Columbia language lecturers Zhongqi Shi, Chikako Takahashi, Joowon Suh, and Alessandra Saggin share their classroom technology tips for creating community and engagement using Padlet, Discord, Perusall, and Instagram, respectively. Recording available (click on event title).

LRC AI Working Group: Exploring AI and Self-Efficacy in Language Learning
2025-02-21 13:30 - 14:30 | NY
We’re excited to invite you to the first LRC AI Working Group meeting of the semester on Friday, February 21st, from 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm (new time). Our discussion will focus on self-efficacy and the impact of AI tools on language learning. With 86% of college students now using AI in their studies, it’s critical to consider how these tools can support (or hinder) a learner’s confidence and persistence in language acquisition.
“Self-efficacy” refers to a learner’s belief in their capacity to complete specific academic tasks. When appropriately framed by instructors, AI can play a key role in supporting this belief. This is especially true in language learning, where persistence and confidence are essential.
In this conversation, we will consider the following questions:

Does AI strengthen or undermine a learner’s beliefs about their ability to complete a set of academic tasks related to language acquisition? How?
What role can the instructor play in shaping how students approach AI tools to help them become more successful language learners? (A judge? An example? A friend? A mentor? A helper? A shaper of beliefs?)
Which uses of AI can help a learner persist through some of the affective challenges of language learning?

We look forward to an engaging, thought-provoking discussion and hope you will share your perspectives and ideas!
PS you can get a reading list for some articles on self-efficacy and language learning here.

February 28: Formative Assessment with ChatGPT
2025-02-28 15:00 - 16:00 | Zoom
This workshop offers a framework for ChatGPT-driven assignments for formative assessment across all language skills, as well as self-evaluation and AI literacy-building opportunities for students.
Click here to watch the recording.

March 7: Teaching Languages in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Rethinking Goals and Practices
2025-03-07 15:00 - 16:00 | NY
Generative AI has shifted the ground upon which we have based much of our language teaching for centuries. The vitality (even existence) of our language programs may depend on our ability to re-examine and re-articulate our goals for language teaching—some of which can be facilitated by technological tools, others not. In this articulation, teachers must provide the guiding voices, not the technologists, not the politicians. This talk will present some of the limitations as well as potential benefits of AI for fostering various aspects of language development, stressing attention to the educational values underlying our pedagogical decisions
Invited Guest Lecture: Richard Kern
Professor Richard Kern of the University of California, Berkeley teaches courses in French linguistics, applied linguistics and foreign language pedagogy. He served from 2006-2022 as Director of the Berkeley Language Center, and his research interests include second language acquisition, psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics, reading, writing, and technology. He is currently beginning work on a book dealing with UC students’ experiences during study abroad.

Russian Language Program Presentation with Dr. Marina Tsylina and Dr. Marina Grineva
2025-03-28 15:00 - 16:00 | NY
Join us this Friday, March 28, from 3-4pm for an informal presentation and conversation with Dr. Marina Tsylina and Dr. Marina Grineva of the Russian Language Program.
As part of our ongoing Language Program exchange series, Dr. Tsylina and Dr. Grineva will share insights and practices from their program, including curricular and pedagogical approaches, successes and challenges, and future directions. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A to facilitate interdepartmental learning and exchange.
We hope to see you there.

Consolidate! Tips for making Canvas into a hub for your class
2025-04-03 13:30 - 14:30 | NY
LRC Educational Technologist Kim Edmunds describes some tips and tricks for integrating common external tools into a Canvas course interface.
Click here to watch the recording. Click here to view the handout.

Instructional Innovation Projects Showcase
2025-04-18 15:00 - 16:00 | NY
Please join us in supporting the work of your colleagues Ling Yan, Yike Li, Reem Faraj, Guadalupe Ruiz Fajardo, and Francisca Aguilo Mora, the ’24-’25 Instructional Innovation Grant awardees.
Each recipient will give a brief overview of their project, followed by Q&A.

Reviewing Climate Tasks for the Language Classroom with Sandra Goldmark
2025-04-25 13:30 - 14:30 | Language Resource Center, 353 IAB, 420 W 118th Street, New York, NY, 10027, United States
In this workshop, we continue to explore the interface of language learning and climate literacy by workshopping classroom tasks. This is an opportunity to support your colleagues by helping to provide feedback on their ideas.

Whether you attended previous sessions in this series or not, we hope to see you there!
View the event Padlet here.

LRC: Spring Potluck
2025-05-07 16:00 - 18:00 | NY
You are cordially invited to the LRC’s Spring Potluck on Wednesday, May 7 at 4pm! Let’s gather over drinks and snacks to wrap up the semester and celebrate our work and community.
Guests are asked to bring a light bite to share! The LRC will provide beverages and some snacks.

RSVP Here

Welcome Gathering (Fall 2025)
2025-09-12 16:00 - 18:00 | Deutsches Haus, 420 W 116th Street, New York, NY, 10027, United States
Please join us for our annual Welcome Back Gathering, held Friday, September 12, 4-6pm in Deutsches Haus (420 W116th St.).
See friendly faces, meet new colleagues, and enjoy refreshments as we kick off the new academic year!
RSVP at this link.

Intro to AI Prompting for Language Teachers - HYBRID
2025-09-19 13:30 - 14:30 | NY
In the hands of an experienced teacher, generative AI can be a powerful tool to streamline the instructional process. AI tools can simplify administrative load by helping modify simple texts, draft answer keys, and more, allowing us to spend our limited time and resources on developing innovative, rigorous, and pedagogically rich instruction.
In this workshop, learn how to initiate an interaction with ChatGPT, write clear, effective prompts, and critically evaluate output.
RSVP Here
Materials:

ACTSET Diagram
Examples Handout
Menti Slides
Zoom Recording (Final Discussion Only)

SCI Workshop - Remote
2025-10-03 13:00 - 15:00 | Zoom
Join us for a workshop focused on building community inside and outside of the classroom!

LRC Feedback Exchange Session
2025-10-17 13:30 - 14:30 | Language Resource Center, 353 IAB, 420 W 118th Street, New York, NY, 10027, United States
This session’s theme: Content-integrated language instruction (in-person).
Join the LRC’s Feedback Exchange Sessions!
The goal of these informal sessions is to invite the exchange of pedagogical ideas among language faculty from different programs. Whether you participate to listen and offer feedback, or to hear colleagues’ perspectives on your own ideas, you’ll gain new ways to challenge and empower your students.
Do you have a teaching idea connected to one or more of these themes that you’re interested in sharing? Your idea, which can be at any stage of development, might be:

A classroom task
A homework assignment
An assessment
A long-term project
Something else – submit the form below to check fit.

While the type and development of the idea can vary, we do ask that it be something that faculty in any language program could adapt and apply.
You are welcome to attend in any capacity. Whether you’re interested in sharing an idea, or just want to participate in dialogue, please click here.
For future dates and themes, please visit the Feedback Exchange webpage here.

Instructional Innovation Project Presentation
2025-12-05 08:00 - 17:00 | NY
Time and details TBD.

Negotiating Meaning: Strategies for Discussing AI With Language Learners
2026-01-30 13:30 - 14:30 | Language Resource Center, 353 IAB, 420 W 118th Street, New York, NY, 10027, United States
Friday, January 30th, 1:30-2:30pm, on Zoom and at the LRC.

Stéphane's Retirement Party
2026-02-06 16:00 - 19:00 | Buell Hall (La Maison Française), 515 W 116th Street, New York, NY, 10027, United States
Please join us in honoring Stéphane’s career and toasting to his retirement!
February 6th, 2026, beginning at 4pm in Buell Hall (Home of La Maison Française).
Please RSVP at the link below or here.

Faculty Podcast Showcase
2026-02-13 15:00 - 16:00 | Language Resource Center, 353 IAB, 420 W 118th Street, New York, NY, 10027, United States
This Friday, join us for a showcase of your colleagues’ work in the podcast space. Each presenter will introduce their project, share some instructional applications, and offer insights into the production process. The presentations will be followed by a Q&A.
Sharing with us will be Felice Beneduce and Matteo Heilbrun, Leyre Alejaldre Biel, João Nemi Neto and Ana Paula da Silva Huback, and Zhongqi Shi.
Friday, February 13th
3:00 – 4:00pm
LRC and Zoom (ID 8935215259)

Climate & Language
2026-02-20 | NY
Description TBD.

Negotiating Meaning: Strategies for Discussion AI With Language Learners Pt. 2
2026-02-27 | NY

Japanese Langauge Program Presentation
2026-03-06 | NY

Workshop: Canvas Integration & Features
2026-03-13 | NY

Spring Break
2026-03-16 - 2026-03-20 | NY
Please enjoy some rest and relaxation this Spring Break!

TBA
2026-03-27, 2026-04-10, 2026-04-17 08:00 - 17:00 | NY
Description TBA.

Multilingual Poetry Night
2026-04-03 | NY

Instructional Innovation Project Presentations
2026-04-24, 2026-05-01 | NY

Spring Party
2026-05-06 | NY
