Employee Language Program

Providing world language education opportunities to Western's faculty and staff.

What is the Employee Language Program?

Home page

What is the Employee Language Program?

Overview

  • The ELP is an initiative put forth by the President’s Office in 2013. Essentially, we teach free language workshops for WWU faculty and staff.
  • Open to all Western employees, these workshops support faculty and staff through professional development and encourage multicultural outreach and awareness. Language learners of all levels are welcome.
  • The workshops are the result of a combined effort by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures, and Outreach and Continuing Education.
  • FAQs can be found at the bottom of the page.

Register Here

Winter 2026 Offerings

Courses are held in person or on Canvas. After registration, you will receive an E-mail to your WWU E-mail inviting you to accept a Canvas invitation. Once you accept, you will have access to course content and additional information, including day/time/location updates.

If a program listed below is not on the registration page, it is full. We encourage you to email employeelanguage@wwu.edu to be added to a waitlist.

Spanish

Conversation Partners

All conversation partners are open to everyone, regardless of previous experience. Lessons will be scheduled one-on-one with a facilitator online or in-person, and you can customize your learning goals.

  • Schedule individually with instructor (hybrid).

Level 1 Workshop

Level 1 is designed for people with little or no previous exposure in Spanish, including those who might have had some Spanish years ago but currently have little or no conversational fluency. Workshop activities will focus on phrases and special topics to help build vocabulary and knowledge of simple grammar structures for basic conversational fluency.

  • Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:00-1:50 PM, College Hall 249.

Culture and Conversation Series

Every Thursday in February from 12:00-12:50, location TBD. Please note these are not progressive workshops and all levels are welcome.

  • February 5: Cultura a través de la música 
  • February 12: Tradiciones y días festivos 
  • February 19: Artesanía  
  • February 26: Baile folclórico (in combination with the AS club) 

German

Conversation Partners

  • Schedule individually with instructor (hybrid).

French

Level 1 Workshop

Level 1 is designed for people with little or no previous exposure in French, including those who might have had some French years ago but currently have little or no conversational fluency. Workshop activities will focus on phrases and special topics to help build vocabulary and knowledge of simple grammar structures for basic conversational fluency.

  • Wednesdays, 2:00-3:00 PM, College Hall 249

Level 2 Workshop

Level 2 is designed for people who have some prior experience with French and limited conversation ability, or for those who have completed Level 1. Participants should be able to talk in very basic terms about daily activities, family and work, hobbies, likes and dislikes, etc. Workshop activities will help participants build vocabulary and simple grammar structures to communicate with more fluency.

  • Fridays, 4:00-5:00 PM, MH 121

Conversation Partners

  • Schedule individually with instructor (hybrid).

Mandarin Chinese

Drop-In Sessions

Come and chat in Mandarin, no previous experience or registration required.

  • January 20, open between 2:00-3:30 pm, Learning Commons in Library
  • January 29, open between 2:00-3:30 pm, Learning Commons in Library
  • February 5, open between 2:00-3:30 pm, Learning Commons in Library
  • February 10, open between 2:00-3:30 pm, Learning Commons in Library
  • February 19, open between 2:00-3:30 pm, Learning Commons in Library
  • February 24, open between 2:00-3:30 pm, Learning Commons in Library

Conversation Partners

  • Schedule individually with instructor (hybrid).

Calligraphy Lessons

The calligraphy lessons will be conducted in English. Anyone interested in learning and practicing the art of writing Chinese characters is welcome, regardless of language or calligraphy experience. Supplies are provided. Each session has the same information, feel free to register for as many as you would like.

  • January 15, 2:30-3:30 PM, Miller Hall 022. 
  • January 29, 2:30-3:30 PM, Miller Hall 022.
  • February 12 (Lunar New Year special), 2:30-3:30 PM, Miller Hall 022.
  • February 26, 2:30-3:30 PM, Miller Hall 022.
  • March 12, 2:30-3:30 PM, Miller Hall 022.

Karaoke and Open Mike Night

  • Details TBD

FAQs

  • Is there a fee for the ELP workshops and can I earn credit?
    • No, these are free, non-credit learning opportunities.
  • Must my supervisor approve of my participation in these workshops?
    • Yes, participation requires supervisor approval, but every effort will be made to support involvement in this program. While a priority for the University, these workshops are intended to fit within the boundaries of an employee’s work responsibilities. Participation during work hours is paid time. Outside of work hours, it is unpaid.
  • I am a student who is interested in teaching for the ELP. What do I do?
    • Please reach out to employeelanguage@wwu.edu to be put in touch with a faculty supervisor.
  • Can student employees and Campus Dining staff participate?
    • Yes!
  • How do I get a new language added to the ELP offerings?
    • There must be least one fluent student who has time to teach and is eligible for employment at WWU. Please reach out to employeelanguage@wwu.edu.
      Suggestions for new languages are always welcome, but offerings are subject to student facilitator availability.