National Foreign Language Center

University of MarylandMail Services Building #343, P.O. Box 93

College Park, MD 20742

www.n!c.orgPhone: 301.405.9828

Fax: 301.405.9829

Our MissionThe mission of the National Foreign Language Center is to develop the foreign language and critical thinking skills of citizens and residents of the United States. We implement our mission through innovative strategic planning and development as well as partnerships with institutions, organizations, and enterprises across the country and around the world.

What We DoThrough research, collaborations, consultations, and projects, the NFLC is dedicated to improving the nation’s ability to understand and communicate with people worldwide and to manage the unprecedented !ow of information resulting from globalization. We ful"ll our mission by serving the following:

Policy makers at the federal, state, and local levels

Foundations and non-governmental organizations

Educational leaders and teachers in our schools, colleges, and universities

Curriculum developers in both academe and the private sector

Federal o#ces and agencies with education and training responsibilities

Heritage and linguistic minority communities in the United States

Core CapabilitiesSince its founding in 1986, the NFLC has worked to identify the language competence needs of the nation, analyze the national capacity to meet those needs, and develop and model strategies for aligning capacity with needs. The NFLC’s multidisciplinary team has successfully positioned itself to address these needs by developing capabil-ities in the following areas:

Policy Planning

The NFLC seeks to in!uence public policy by systematically identifying and describing the consequences of not meeting educational needs in the United States and by reaching out to federal, state, and local governments; business; and industry.

Curriculum Development

The NFLC creates instructional materials for inclusion in online learning management systems and develops materials for the edu- cation and training of teachers and students in a variety of languages and disciplines.

Second Language Acquisition

Our linguists ensure that the NFLC’s language learning and assessment materials are consistent with relevant theory and empirical research in cognitive science and second language acquisition.

Instructional Systems Design

Our instructional design team works to design, develop, and implement e$ective learning systems, including e-learning lessons and modules, job aids, distance learning, instructor-led training, and blended learning solutions. The NFLC’s work is based on proven instructional systems design methodologies, including ADDIE and cognitive science research.

Interactive Media Technologies

The NFLC uses technology to bridge the gap between creative ideas and execution, leveraging innovative technologies with expertise in user interface strategy, design, and development. We specialize in dynamic multi-media design and development for e-learning, focusing on the creation of engaging learning experiences, interactions, illus-trations, assessments, and scenario-based training using Flash, Flex, HTML, CSS, AJAX, and Captivate. The NFLC also develops custom authoring solutions using applicable server-side technologies and

delivers database-driven solutions with externalized content in XML and AICC/SCORM compliance.

Web Applications Development

We develop cutting-edge Web applications using several XML-based standards for interoperability, Web services, Javascript/Ajax libraries, Xforms, LDAP integration, PHP, Perl, Java, XML and Relational Database Management Systems, and more. Some of our Web-based applica-tions to date include proposal submission, surveys, the collection of authentic texts in Unicode standard format, authoring, and publication of e-learning materials.

Art and Media ProductionOur art and media team produces live-action video, special e$ects sequences, 3D visualizations, high-quality audio, and vector-based animation in support of the NFLC’s e-learning initiatives. Our in-house green screen studio; voice-over studios; music production capabilities; and state-of-the-art production, post-production, and digital asset management hardware and software allow us to create engaging, cutting-edge products.

Software Quality AssuranceNFLC sta$ support the software development process by providing systems requirements speci"cations, technical and user documentation, software quality assurance, and software testing for compliance with requirements during product development and before release. The team also provides end-user support for applications developed by the NFLC.

Project ManagementThe NFLC’s project management o#ce ensures e$ective processes, sound and timely cross-functional collaboration, and appropriate budgeting, scheduling, and resource allocation to ensure timely delivery of products that meet client requirements within budget.

National Foreign Language Center

University of MarylandMail Services Building #343, P.O. Box 93

College Park, MD 20742

www.n!c.orgPhone: 301.405.9828

Fax: 301.405.9829