Creating language learning opportunities that are not widely available in other venues furthers the University's mission of enhancing the professional and academic qualifications of its graduates...

About the LCTL Center

Who We Are

Housed in the Department of Linguistics, the Less-Commonly-Taught Languages (LCTL) Center exists to broaden the range of options in foreign language instruction at the University of Pittsburgh. Here, coursework is offered in more than a dozen languages that are pertinent to many programs of study but not available in the University's other academic departments.

The center's teaching staff is comprised of approximately 25 experienced language instructors, most of whom are native users of the languages they teach. In any given semester, 500-700 students may be enrolled in our 50-60 course sections, with class sizes ranging from small independent study groups with two or three students to larger sections with up to 20 students.

Who Studies Less-Commonly-Taught Languages?

Students often pursue instruction in the LCTL Center because they are engaged in research on a particular area of the world, because knowledge of a LCTL will enhance their academic program, or because they have a personal interest in one of the countries where the language is spoken. Many students in this latter group have friends, family, or ancestors who are or were speakers of a particular language. Creating language learning opportunities that are not widely available in other venues furthers the University's mission of enhancing the professional and academic qualifications of its graduates, while also offering students a chance for personal enrichment. For information about requesting a particular language course, please visit our FAQ page.

The ASL Studies Certificate

One prominent portion of the LCTL Center focuses on instruction of a language that is not used overseas but rather in the United States and some parts of Canada: American Sign Language (ASL). The LCTL Center also offers an 18-credit undergraduate certificate in ASL Studies. Students who are interested in the ASL Studies Certificate can apply for entrance into that certificate program early each fall semester. For more information, please contact Deb Hast, the ASL program coordinator.