The Lingua Commons

We are dedicated to creating a welcoming space for language enthusiasts of all levels. Whether you're a seasoned polyglot looking to maintain your skills, a beginner eager to explore a new language, a native speaker of a language looking to connect with others in conversation, or someone seeking to reconnect with their heritage language, we provide the resources and community to support your journey. Through our engaging language exchange workshops, participants have the opportunity to practice speaking and writing and forge lasting community relationships locally. We believe that language is a bridge that connects people, and we're committed to building a world where everyone has the opportunity to experience the transformative power of communication. We offer a variety of programs, including structured language exchange sessions, cultural events, and informal gatherings, all designed to create a supportive and enriching environment for language learning. We are a nonprofit organization, meaning that our focus is entirely on serving our community, and providing access to language learning for all.

To foster a vibrant and inclusive community by bringing together newcomers, including recently arrived refugees and immigrants, and long-time community members to participate in meaningful cultural exchange, receive access to resources, and cultivate collective efforts to support and grow community. 

Each language has a meeting time (whether weekly, monthly, biweekly). All times are posted on the schedule/calendar. Community members and volunteers are welcome to attend any language meetup time for any language without limits. 

Volunteers who have been previously onboarded for each language will lead the conversation groups as the Language Leader for the scheduled session. The term “leader” is very generalized. For the purposes of the conversation hours, these Language Leaders are solely there to answer basic questions about the language and keep the conversation going/moving it forward. 

There are generally three levels of language ability at each meeting: 1) building literacy (learning the alphabet and basic phrases) 2) intermediate (starting conversations) 3) advanced (practicing conversations). All Language Leaders are in level 3 and are at least conversational in the target language to lead the group session. 

When you arrive at the meeting for the conversation group, you will sign in on the sign in sheet and make a name tag with your name, your pronouns, and language level (1, 2, or 3). Each session will start with 45 minutes to 1 hour of specific instruction, Q&A, or guidance on the particular language and its components (i.e. alphabet and writing systems) by the Language Leader. This time will then be followed by an additional 45 minutes to 1 hour of unstructured conversation that is led by the Language Leader. If beginners feel unsure whether to stay for the second part, they are welcome to skip the second half of each session.

If you attend 12+ meetings for a singular target language (ex: 9 conversation meetings for French and not 3 for French and 6 for Spanish), you will be eligible to receive a program certificate for that language. These certificates are self-paced so if it takes you more than 1 year to reach 12, that is completely fine and welcomed! 

Once you feel like you have advanced to the next level, you can also receive a certification for advancement between each level. Advancement decisions are determined upon the participants as it is self-paced. 

All attendance for certificates are tracked using the sign-in sheet, so please make sure to sign in at each meeting! 

Here we recognize that language is not merely a tool for communication, but a fundamental aspect of identity, culture, and power. We are committed to fostering a space where linguistic diversity is celebrated and where language justice is actively pursued.

We acknowledge the historical and ongoing impact of colonialism on language, including the suppression of Indigenous languages, the imposition of dominant languages, and the perpetuation of linguistic hierarchies. We understand that these injustices continue to create barriers to access, equity, and cultural expression.

Therefore, we commit to the following principles and actions:

Centering Linguistic Diversity: We strive to create an inclusive environment where all languages are valued and respected. We actively encourage the use and preservation of Indigenous languages, heritage languages, and minority languages.

Challenging Linguistic Hierarchies: We reject the notion that some languages are inherently superior to others. We promote multilingualism and intercultural understanding as essential tools for dismantling systems of linguistic oppression.

Promoting Language Access: We are dedicated to providing equitable access to language learning resources and opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their linguistic background.

Decolonizing Language Learning: We strive to incorporate critical perspectives on language and power into our programs and activities. We encourage learners to reflect on the historical and social contexts of the languages they are studying.

Building Partnerships: We seek to collaborate with Indigenous communities, language revitalization organizations, and other groups working to advance language justice both locally and globally.

Continuous Learning and Reflection: We commit to ongoing learning and self-reflection on our own biases and practices, and to adapting our programs and policies to better serve the needs of our diverse community.

Our mission to foster a vibrant and inclusive community, our vision of a world where language barriers are diminished, and our dedication to providing access to language learning for all are inextricably linked to our commitment to language justice and decolonization. We believe that by empowering individuals to connect, learn, and thrive through the shared joy of linguistic exploration, we can contribute to a more just and equitable world.