{"id":13557,"date":"2026-06-22T09:35:16","date_gmt":"2026-06-22T14:35:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/?post_type=campus_story&p=13557"},"modified":"2026-06-22T09:35:17","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T14:35:17","slug":"beyond-grammar-language-programs-connect-students-with-culture-and-community","status":"publish","type":"campus_story","link":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/story\/beyond-grammar-language-programs-connect-students-with-culture-and-community\/","title":{"rendered":"Beyond grammar: Language programs connect students with culture and community"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Photo:<\/a>
UWL students in the Chinese Studies program engage kids in an after-school Chinese Clubs at a local elementary school. Students learned about Chinese food, among other topics.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Language learning is often stereotyped as memorizing vocabulary and completing grammar worksheets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But at UW-La Crosse language learning is designed to be far more immersive.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students in the Department of Global Cultures and Languages<\/a> practice real conversations with partners across the globe, travel abroad with faculty mentors, work with local communities, and even teach younger students about language and culture.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond grammar, the goal is about developing intercultural competence \u2014 the ability to communicate across cultures, adapt to unfamiliar environments and understand perspectives shaped by different lived experiences.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

All GCL courses \u2014100- 400 levels \u2014 embed cultural content with real life scenarios and most faculty are international, sharing their stories and personalized perspectives from countries such as Cuba, Ecuador, Spain, China and Luxemburg, explains Omar Granados, department chair. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI love learning a language,\u201d says Grace Albee, a UWL Spanish student. \u201cIt makes you think in a different way, and it really opens up a whole new world of understanding people and connecting with them.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From innovative online speaking tools to virtual exchanges with students abroad, faculty-led study trips and community programs that introduce Chinese language to local elementary students, UWL\u2019s language programs emphasize learning through experience.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is about learning to see the world from different perspectives,\u201d says Granados. \u201cNo other discipline at UWL forces the student to think from the perspective of a cultural outsider \u2014 whether that person is an international individual or an immigrant \u2014 like the language classroom does.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A new certificate in intercultural competence<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Omar Granados, Global Cultures & Languages<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

UWL is expanding that philosophy through a new Intercultural Competence Certificate, launching in fall 2026.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Designed to complement a wide range of majors, the certificate helps students develop the cultural awareness and communication skills that employers increasingly value. Unlike traditional language programs, many courses in the certificate are interdisciplinary and taught in English, making global learning accessible to students from any academic background.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cornerstone course, GCL 100: Becoming a Global Citizen, introduces students to the practical skills needed to communicate and collaborate across cultures. Students complete the certificate with two additional elective courses that deepen those skills.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Granados says the certificate reflects the department\u2019s evolving mission.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGlobal Cultures and Languages is really a gateway to intercultural competence,\u201d he explains. \u201cSometimes students say, \u2018I tried a language and it wasn\u2019t for me.\u2019 And we tell them: this isn\u2019t about language. It\u2019s about learning how to think from different perspectives.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those skills matter across professions.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat makes us a better nurse, a better doctor, a better professional?\u201d Granados asks. \u201cEmpathy. Being able to understand people who may see the world differently than we do.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For many students, intercultural learning happens through direct connections with people in other countries.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Albee participates in a virtual language exchange with a student in Peru. Each week, they meet online for about 60 minutes \u2014 half the time speaking English and half speaking Spanish.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou can talk about whatever you want. It\u2019s made me more confident in my Spanish, but it\u2019s also been really fun learning about life in Peru,\u201d says Albee.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experiences like these allow students to practice language in real conversations while gaining insight into daily life in another culture.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chinese Studies in elementary schools<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Hongying Xu, associate professor of Chinese Studies, demonstrates using chopsticks during the after school program as kids look on. Xu originally reached out to the district to establish some long-term programs, inspired by the visits that the teachers from Luoyang, China (La Crosse\u2019s sister city) make to different schools during their stay. Xu wanted to offer multiple visits for a richer experience of Chinese language and culture.  <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While UWL students are building advanced language skills, the university is also helping introduce global learning to younger students in the La Crosse community.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, the Chinese Studies program<\/a> launched after-school Chinese Clubs at two local elementary schools. UWL students help lead the clubs, guiding elementary students through engaging games and activities to learn the Chinese language and culture.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy students benefit from leading these sessions because they do a lot of discussion, collaboration and planning beforehand and reflect on the sessions afterward,\u201d says Hongying Xu, associate professor of Chinese Studies. \u201cIt\u2019s experiential learning through community service.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A majority of UWL students, nearly 90 % in a student survey, believed that they were able to practice soft skills to a large extent through the after school program \u2014 especially skills like collaboration, leadership, critical thinking, problems solving and their understanding of diversity, and inclusion.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teachers say the response has been enthusiastic, with students eager to attend each week and excited to share new words and cultural discoveries with their families. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Based on survey responses from parents in the program, kids are talking about Chinese Studies students\u2019 visits a lot at home, feel the topics are interesting, activities are fun and easy to understand. They would also like more programming in the future.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn my opinion, to expose children to different cultures, including languages, at an early age can definitely open up their view of the world, and inspire their curiosity to explore different parts of the world, with a positive attitude and an open mind,\u201d says Xu. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spanish programs connect language to careers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
UWL Spanish students in class with Antonio Mart\u00edn G\u00f3mez, who teaches Spanish use for specific purposes like working in healthcare settings.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Spanish programs at UWL<\/a> are also expanding opportunities for students to apply language skills in professional settings.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two growing certificates \u2014 Spanish for Health Professions<\/a> and Spanish for Business & Organizations<\/a> \u2014 allow students in any major to combine language skills with career preparation.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With Spanish being the second most spoken language in the United States, the certificates provide valuable preparation for careers in fields such as healthcare, social services and business.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Intercultural competence is essential to understanding medical conditions in immigrant populations, but it is often lacking in the U.S healthcare system, explains Granados.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMany conditions are treated \u2018the U.S traditional way\u2019 without really understanding how cultural believes impact what a patient might be going through or how much they trust the provider,” he says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Courses simulate real workplace communication scenarios while emphasizing nationally recognized professional competencies such as communication, teamwork and cultural awareness.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students in the Spanish for Health Professions Certificate also practice interpersonal skills that are essential for graduate school and professional programs, including cultural competence, oral communication and patient interaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

French students learn through applied projects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
UWL Senior Elin Voegeli shares the immigration journey of Elisabeth Dieudonn\u00e9 Vincent using ArcGIS Storymaps, a web-based, interactive map that blends text, images and video.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

French courses<\/a> regularly incorporate cultural media, contemporary global issues, and community engagement projects that help students see how language connects to everyday life around the world.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In FRE 320: Global French Cultures: Past, Present and Future, students created interactive digital maps documenting journeys from across the Francophone world. The projects combined text, images and video to tell stories of migration while helping students understand the historical and cultural forces that shape those journeys.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe beauty of using this platform is that students can trace geographical migration patterns and make these journeys more tangible,\u201d says Dany Jacob, assistant professor of Global Cultures & Languages.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students selected real or research-based migration stories and built interactive maps that followed individuals traveling across countries and continents. Along the way, they examined the challenges migrants often face \u2014 from navigating borders and identity changes to enduring incarceration, theft or long stretches without shelter.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To deepen the storytelling, students also wrote simulated letters from the perspective of their subjects and created physical artifacts representing objects migrants might have carried during their journeys.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For students, the project turns language learning into an opportunity to explore global history and human resilience.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis project creates a better understanding of the world and the struggles people face,\u201d says Bastien Janiak, a UWL junior majoring in archaeology with minors in French and linguistics.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Program success in Russian Studies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Natalia Roberts, left, works with a Russian Studies program student one-on-one. Originally from Dubna, Russia, Roberts can empathize with her students on the struggles of learning a new language. She originally came to the U.S. to learn English.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While UWL language programs emphasize cultural engagement, they also deliver strong results in language proficiency.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students in the Russian Studies program <\/a>consistently achieve high levels of fluency. Since May 2023, more than 90% of students have passed the nationally recognized STAMP 4S language proficiency exam by the end of the six-semester program.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To pass, students must score at least Intermediate-Mid in reading, writing, listening and speaking.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That achievement qualifies students for the Global Seal of Biliteracy, an internationally recognized credential verifying proficiency in two languages.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many students reach that benchmark early. Of the 40 students who have taken the test since 2023, one quarter passed ahead of schedule \u2014 some as many as three semesters early.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The results reflect the program\u2019s emphasis on communication, collaboration and building confidence through real-world practice<\/a>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Study abroad brings learning to life<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Victoria Calmes, back row, second from right, pictured with a group of UWL students she took to Granada, Spain, in summer 2025. The Alhambra, the only preserved palatine city of the Islamic period, is pictured in the background. Calmes, who is originally from Spain, directs the study abroad program each year, guiding students in connecting language learning with lived cultural experience.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For many students, the most transformative language learning happens abroad.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UWL offers faculty-led programs in destinations such as Spain, Ecuador and China, as well as new opportunities tied to global business and cultural exchange.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This summer, Spanish professor Antonio Mart\u00edn G\u00f3mez will lead a program in Ecuador focused on health and culture. Students will visit Indigenous communities and learn about traditional medicine and midwifery practices.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Granados also leads a January program to Panama and Colombia focused on global trade and intercultural competence for students interested in exploring business and international relations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another long-running program in Granada, Spain allows students to travel with classmates and faculty they already know, creating a supportive environment for cultural immersion.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoing abroad with faculty makes the experience feel more personal,\u201d Granados says. \u201cStudents feel supported, but they also gain independence.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students often return with new confidence after navigating daily life in another country \u2014 learning to use public transportation, communicate with host families, and adapt to unfamiliar environments.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOne thing I hear from students returning from abroad is how much independence and life-skills growth they experienced,\u201d Granados says. \u201cIt changes how they see the world.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether through international travel, virtual exchanges, community partnerships or interdisciplinary coursework, UWL\u2019s Global Cultures and Languages programs emphasize learning through experience.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The goal is not simply to learn another language \u2014 but to develop the perspective and adaptability needed to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn more about Education Abroad\/Away programs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Attend an International Education & Engagement (IEE) Abroad 101 Session (offered three  times per week during the semester) or visit International Education webpage<\/a> to start to exploring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Written by UW-La Crosse<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Link to original story: <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Language learning is often stereotyped as memorizing vocabulary and completing grammar worksheets. But at UW-La Crosse language learning is designed to be far more immersive.   Students in the Department of Global Cultures and Languages practice real conversations with partners across the globe, travel abroad with faculty mentors, work with local communities, and even teach younger students […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":13558,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","institution":[104],"story_category":[147],"class_list":["post-13557","campus_story","type-campus_story","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","institution-uw-la-crosse","story_category-community"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/campus_story\/13557","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/campus_story"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/campus_story"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13557"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13558"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13557"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"institution","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/institution?post=13557"},{"taxonomy":"story_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/story_category?post=13557"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}