If you teach a foreign language at Yale, you have a single contact person at the CLS for guidance and assistance on a range of areas. Liaisons and their contact information are listed here.

More About the Faculty Liaisons

Are you a faculty member teaching a foreign language? Have you ever heard yourself or a colleague say something like:

"I have to design a syllabus and assemble all new materials for this course I'm planning, but I don't know where to start or how I'm going to get it all finished in time!"
"There must be a better way to do this testing: isn't there something faster or more accurate than what we're doing?"
"I know there's software out there to help students practice this grammar point on their own, but I wouldn't know how to go about finding it or making it available to them."
"There seem to be a lot of resources available to me at the CLS--foreign language television, a recording studio, films, library books, computer equipment, new software programs, digital cameras and video cameras.... But I don't really know how to access it or which staff member to ask for help."
"How do I put course materials on the web?"
"I wish I could do some research comparing my students' language abilities to those of students who have studied language elsewhere."
"Isn't there a workshop or conference I could attend on topics that interest me as a language teacher? How could I afford to go to one?"
"I have more heritage students this semester than ever before. What do I need to know about teaching them? What have other programs done to address their needs?"
"There are a lot of resource departments on campus--the CLS, ITS, AM&T, the Film Study Center, the Library. How do I know which one to call when I need something?"

Questions like these are familiar to many language faculty, which is why the Center for Language Study has created its Teaching, Learning, and Research (TLR) group. The TLR team offers guidance and assistance in such areas as language pedagogy, the development of new course materials, the use of technology in teaching, curriculum planning, intellectual property concerns, research project planning and implementation, and professional development for teachers.

Faculty in each language program are matched with a liaison from this team, meaning you have a single contact person who is familiar with your courses and projects. Liaisons are familiar with all of the CLS's services and resources, as well as those found elsewhere at Yale and off-campus, so you won't have to wonder whom to call first with a question--just start with your liaison and he or she can refer you to the right place and even accompany you if you need to seek outside assistance.

Your liaison can assist you with immediate issues, but your liaison is also interested in getting to know you and the "big picture" of how your current concerns fit into larger plans you may have for your classes, curricula, or career. Your liaison can discuss specific requests you might have or even brainstorm with you about ideas or concerns that have been on your mind but haven't yet had a chance to do anything about.

Think of your liaison as the person at CLS whose job it is to know you best and is therefore most prepared to collaborate with you when you need something. If you are ever unsure where to go for help, remember your liaison is eager to hear from you.

View List of Liaisons