

# Event Details

- **Event Name**: LRC Speaker Series: Advancing Second Language Proficiency and Intercultural Competence
- **Event Start and End Date**: Thu, 26 Mar, 2026 at 04:30 pm (-04:00)
- **Event Description**: "Advancing Second Language Proficiency and Intercultural Competence in Postsecondary Education"
LRC Signature Speaker
LeAnne Spino
Associate Professor of Spanish, Proficiency Coordinator, and Director of International Studies and Diplomacy, University of Rhode Island  

This is a pivotal moment for language programs. Enrollments in languages other than English are plummeting across the United States. Also in flux is the landscape of higher education more generally. In this climate of uncertainty, language programs must be able to clearly and convincingly articulate their value. Yet how can we effectively make these arguments?

There are, of course, many possible strategies for demonstrating and communicating the value of language programs. In this talk, I will detail one possible approach, resulting from a deep realignment across six degree-granting language programs at the University of Rhode Island that sought to advance students' language proficiency and intercultural competence. We will explore what these constructs are, the extent to which they develop in postsecondary studies, and how they can be framed to university leadership, faculty, and students to successfully communicate at least part of the value of a postsecondary language education. 

Bio: Dr. Spino (Spino-Seijas) received her Ph.D. from Michigan State University in Second Language Studies. She is currently an Associate Professor of Spanish at the University of Rhode Island and the Proficiency Coordinator for the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures, where she spearheads the Department’s Proficiency Initiative. This initiative seeks to increase students' language proficiency through faculty training, large-scale proficiency testing, and evidence-based curricular revamping. Dr. Spino is also the Director of the International Studies and Diplomacy program, a dual degree program in which students major in International Studies and a language, study abroad for at least a semester, and reach a high proficiency benchmark in the language they study before graduation. 
Dr. Spino specializes in second language acquisition. Much of her research focuses on issues that impact language teaching directly. She is particularly interested in the development of second language proficiency and the sociopolitics of language acquisition and pedagogy, especially as it pertains to heritage language speakers of Spanish. 

This event will be held in person in G25 Stimson and will also be streamed live over Zoom (registration required: https://cornell.zoom.us/meeting/register/yA7XJJrRQ7-NYqFENaaagQ#/registration). Join us at the LRC or on Zoom. 

The event is free and open to the public.
- **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/ithaca/lrc-speaker-series-advancing-second-language-proficiency-and-intercultural-competence/200029656767301
- **Event Categories**: workshops, nonprofit, meetups
- **Interested Audience**: 
  - total_interested_count: 3

## Ticket Details

- **Ticket URL**: https://cornell.zoom.us/meeting/register/yA7XJJrRQ7-NYqFENaaagQ?utm_source=AllEvents.in&utm_medium=event-discovery-platform&utm_campaign=ithaca-events

## Event venue details

- **city**: Ithaca
- **state**: NY
- **country**: United States
- **location**: Stimson Hall, G25 204 Feeney Way & on Zoom
- **lat**: 42.44825
- **long**: -76.48328
- **full address**: Stimson Hall, G25 204 Feeney Way &amp; on Zoom, 216 Feeney Way, Ithaca, NY 14853-1101, United States

## Event Organizer details

- **affiliate_id**: 2
- **organizer**: Language Resource Center - Cornell University (https://allevents.in/org/language-resource-center-cornell-university/11751091)

## Event gallery

- **Alt text**: banner
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events9/banners/1d43137d8249adfcd14e336de6397a510d131d0fbfd72fce7a09235c3403b92a-rimg-w1200-h675-dcc2c0bf-gmir?v=1772944469
- **Alt text**: thumbnail
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events9/banners/f8d84736d1778d3df9451bb67cf4302f6d85685c43c5948baee0cf93bb430f5d-rimg-w300-h300-dcdde6eb-gmir?v=1772944469

## FAQs

- **Q**: When is the event happening?
  - **A:** Thu, 26 Mar, 2026 at 04:30 pm (-04:00)
- **Q**: Where is the event happening?
  - **A:** Stimson Hall, G25 204 Feeney Way &amp; on Zoom, 216 Feeney Way, Ithaca, NY 14853-1101, United States
- **Q**: Who is organizing the event?
  - **A:** Language Resource Center - Cornell University
- **Q**: What type of event is this?
  - **A:** workshops, nonprofit, meetups
- **Q**: Where can I find ticket details about LRC Speaker Series: Advancing Second Language Proficiency and Intercultural Competence ?
  - **A:** You can find ticket details about this event on AllEvents.

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