Info for Current Students & Mentors

The Language and Culture Immersion badge allows students in the Language House program to build an e-portfolio of materials demonstrating their immersion experience with the Language House and in other related programs at the university, such as study abroad and the Language Partner Program. The meta-credential can be added to a student’s LinkedIn profile to enhance their career opportunities and show off their language and culture immersion skills to future employers and recruiters.

Learn more about UMD's Badges 

Language House Mentors can enroll in the Mentorship in Language & Culture Immersion badge, which recognizes their engagement and the fundamental knowledge, skills, and abilities they achieve in acting as mentors and role models at the University of Maryland. Through their role as mentors to Language House students, those earning the badge hone their teamwork, communications, and creative problem solving skills, as well as their ability to guide their mentees in developing their own skills in linguistic and cultural immersion. The meta-credential can be added to a mentor’s LinkedIn profile to enhance their career opportunities and show off their leadership and language and culture immersion skills to future employers and recruiters.

Learn more about UMD's Badges 

Several scholarships are available to students in the Language House program. See the SLLC website for more information.

Coursework & Residency Requirements 

• Speak the target language at all times with your language cluster peers and mentor, and during events in the target language.
• Enroll in and complete at least one 3-credit course in the target language and/or culture each semester you are enrolled in the Language House and work to receive a final grade of "B" or higher. If you need help with appropriate course choices from the SLLC, please contact the Faculty Liaison or advisor of your language for more information.
• Enroll in SLLC 329, Language House Immersion (1-credit course). This course is repeatable and may be taken for a letter grade or pass/fail. However, if you are planning or considering majoring in your language, we strongly recommend taking the course for a letter grade, as you may be able to count it towards your major requirements (discuss with your advisor for more details).
• Attend the Language Chats at least 2 times per semester. You can attend partially, mainly if you have class at the same time. You are encouraged to attend the Chats regularly (this is yet another way of being exposed to your languages/cultures).
• Beyond the expectations above, students in the Language House are required to have one meeting per week with their cluster members and mentor. These meetings will include:
  — Language House Assemblies (1-2 per semester)
  — Activity with related SLLC department (at least 1 per semester)
  — Language House events (around the world festivals, multicultural lectures, film series, inter-cluster activities, etc.- number varies)
  — Cluster specific activities
  Film night (at least 1 per semester)
  Field trip (at least 1 per semester)
  Creative activity (cooking, craft, etc. - at least 1 per semester)
  — Any remaining weekly meetings will be planned by your mentor.
  Students participating in the Language House are required to live in St. Mary’s Hall. 
   

To reserve a space in St. Mary’s Hall for an activity with your language cluster or for another event, click here. Spaces available include the Multipurpose Room, the Lounge, and the International Film Lounge. 
 

Join the Language House network on LinkedIn! Keep in touch with fellow LH alumni, post internship and job opportunities for current students, and find career opportunities for yourself through our LH network.

Are you a Language House alumnus interested in mentoring students, sharing internship opportunities, or coming back to campus for alumni events? We would love to hear from you! Please fill out our Alumni Google Form, email languagehouse@umd.edu, or post career opportunities directly on our Language House LinkedIn page.

Check out the University of Maryland Career Services website for resume and cover letter advice, internship and job opportunities, and more. We at the Language House are also more than happy to help you find your dream position. We want to work with you! Please email the LH Directors or languagehouse@umd.edu. 
 

Language House staff are delighted to recommend you for academic and professional opportunities.

To request a recommendation from a current or former Language House staff member or instructor, please contact that person directly, and send them:

• Information about how and when to submit the recommendation
• We need at least 3 weeks to complete a recommendation. If your recommendation is due in less than 3 weeks, please note that in some circumstances we may not be able to complete your request.

If you need help finding your recommender's contact information, please email languagehouse@umd.edu