ALTA 2025: African Languages Across Disciplines, Professions, and Communities
April 10-12, 2025
Hosted by the University of Pittsburgh Center for African Studies in collaboration with the Less-Commonly-Taught Languages Center
Register!
The African Language Teachers Association (ALTA) is a professional organization that works to promote the teaching of, and research in, African languages and cultures. ALTA’s annual conferences provide an avenue for teachers, researchers, students, and other stakeholders in the field to meet and share their research, experiences, and best practices while finding ways to improve and promote the teaching of African languages.
The 2025 ALTA Conference will explore the integration of various disciplines, professions, and communities to enhance African language pedagogy. In an increasingly interconnected world, the teaching and learning of African languages must evolve to meet the demands of a diverse and globalized society. Participants will engage in discussions on how to incorporate cultural, social, and professional contexts into language instruction, making learning more relevant and impactful for students. The conference will highlight innovative approaches that connect African language education with other areas of study, such as history, social sciences, health, technology, and the arts. Additionally, it will emphasize the role of community engagement, particularly the involvement of African diaspora communities, in enriching the language learning experience.
By integrating disciplines, professions, and communities, ALTA aims to empower educators to create more holistic, inclusive, and effective African language programs that prepare students to navigate and contribute to the complex realities of the modern world.
Conference Sub-Themes
The Conference Organizing Committee invites researchers, educators, practitioners, and program and curriculum developers to submit abstracts for individual papers and panel discussions on topics relevant to the conference theme and the following sub-themes:
Conference Chair
Dr. Filipo Lubua
African and African Diaspora Languages Coordinator
Less-Commonly-Taught Languages Center, Department of Linguistics
University of Pittsburgh
lubua@pitt.edu
Conference Planning Committee
Catherine Koverola, PhD
Leonora Anyango, PhD
Macrina Lelei, PhD
Rob Mucklo, MA
Rys Shultz, BPhil
Susan Ngbabare, PhD
Thank you to our sponsors!
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Department of Africana Studies
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Department of French & Italian
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Department of Linguistics
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Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences
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Frederick Honors College
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Less-Commonly-Taught Languages Center
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Office of the Provost
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School of Education
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Title VI National Resource Center Program, International and Foreign Language Education Office, U.S. Department of Education
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University Center for International Studies
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University Library System