Center for Linguistic Exploration
Center for Linguistic Exploration
Explore a new language. Discover a new culture. Expand your world.
Passion Centered Learning
The Center provides students with authentic opportunities to explore world languages beyond the classroom. Through immersive cultural experiences, academic competitions, community engagement, internationally recognized certifications, and dual enrollment opportunities, students build advanced language proficiency while developing the cultural awareness and leadership skills necessary for success in college, careers, and an increasingly interconnected world.
Learning a language goes beyond the classroom. The Center creates meaningful opportunities for students to explore languages, experience diverse cultures, and develop global leadership through:
- Immersive Language & Cultural Experiences
- Cultural Festivals & Heritage Celebrations
- International Guest Speakers & Exchange Programs
- Academic Competitions & Language Challenges
- Community Engagement & Service Learning
- Language Proficiency Certifications
- College Dual Enrollment Opportunities
- After School Program: Korean Language： details to be determined
Students are encouraged to challenge themselves through regional, national, and international competitions.
- E-Writing Contest
- Target Language Speech Competition
- Target Language Reading Competition
- Poetry & Storytelling Events
Language learning extends beyond the classroom through meaningful service and leadership opportunities.
- Language Ambassador Program
- Community Cultural Outreach (Chinese American Museum; Chinese American Film Festival)
- Volunteer Language Support
Students demonstrate their language proficiency through internationally recognized assessments.
The Global Seal of Biliteracy recognizes students who have attained a certain level of proficiency in two or more languages. It is a powerful honor that will help you earn college scholarships, receive admittance into study abroad programs, and access significant career opportunities.
A Globally Recognized Language Certification
The Global Seal of Biliteracy is an internationally recognized certification that validates proficiency in more than 100 languages. Based on globally accepted standards, the credential enables students to demonstrate their language abilities to colleges, universities, and employers around the world.
At the Linguistic Center, students have the opportunity to earn the Global Seal of Biliteracy and gain recognition for their multilingual skills. The certification is free, stackable, and digitally shareable, allowing recipients to showcase their achievements throughout their academic and professional journeys.
In today’s increasingly interconnected world, multilingualism is a valuable asset. According to Ipsos Public Affairs, more than 90% of surveyed employers report a strong and growing demand for employees with foreign language skills. The Global Seal of Biliteracy celebrates linguistic achievement while helping students expand their educational, career, and global opportunities.
Interested in earning the Global Seal of Biliteracy?
Contact the Linguistic Center to learn about eligible language assessments, certification requirements, and upcoming testing opportunities.
- HSK Testing Center (Chinese Proficiency Test)
Official HSK Testing Center
Chinese Proficiency Test-HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) & YCT (Youth Chinese Test): The HSK is a standardized test of Chinese language proficiency recognized worldwide. Colleges often look favorably upon high HSK scores. YCT, an international standardized test for Chinese language proficiency, assesses primary and secondary school students’ abilities to use Chinese as a second language in their daily and academic life.
As an official HSK Testing Center, the Linguistic Center offers both paper-based and home-based online HSK examinations, providing flexible testing options for students and community members seeking to certify their Chinese language proficiency.
Learn more about HSK test dates, registration, and testing options by clicking here.
Please note that after you register for an HSK test through our testing center, a payment form will be sent to you after the registration deadline. Registration is confirmed once payment has been received.
2026 La Salle HSK Testing Information
Preparing Students for The Language Flagship
The Language Flagship is a U.S. federally funded initiative that provides undergraduate students with opportunities to achieve professional-level proficiency in languages important to global engagement, national security, and economic competitiveness.
Flagship programs are offered at selected U.S. universities and allow students to combine advanced language study with their chosen academic and career fields. The Language Flagship currently supports several languages, including Chinese, Arabic, Portuguese, and Russian.
Through the Center for Linguistic Exploration, La Salle provides students with opportunities to begin or advance their study of these four Flagship languages while still in high school—building a strong foundation for future university-level language study, including potential participation in a Language Flagship program.
Learn More: The Language Flagship
La Salle students can explore four languages associated with The Language Flagship:
Chinese
Mandarin Chinese is offered directly through La Salle’s World Languages Department as part of the school’s academic language curriculum.
Students can develop progressive proficiency in Mandarin Chinese while strengthening their speaking, listening, reading, writing, and intercultural communication skills. For students interested in continuing Mandarin in college, La Salle’s Chinese program can provide a strong foundation for pursuing a Chinese Flagship Program at participating U.S. universities. Students may also explore proficiency assessments, language certifications, cultural experiences, and other opportunities available through the Center for Linguistic Exploration.
Colleges with Chinese Language Flagship Programs
Scholarship and special funding opportunities may be available for students with strong Mandarin proficiency.
Arizona State University
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
Indiana University Bloomington
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Scholarships: Flagship funding + university scholarships; UMN specifically advertises Provost Scholarships up to $10,000 in addition to Flagship funding.
University of Mississippi (Ole Miss)
University of Rhode Island
University of North Georgia
Western Kentucky University
Arabic, Portuguese & Russian
Pasadena City College (PCC) Concurrent Enrollment Opportunities
La Salle students interested in Arabic, Portuguese, or Russian may have the opportunity to earn transferable college credit through concurrent enrollment with the Pasadena City College World Languages & Cultures Department, subject to PCC course availability and enrollment requirements. Available introductory courses may include:
ARBC 001 – Elementary Arabic, Level 1
PORT 001 – Elementary Portuguese, Level 1
RUSS 001 – Elementary Russian, Level 1
Each course:
Earns 5 transferable college units
Is transferable to California State University (CSU) and University of California (UC) campuses
Provides authentic college-level coursework while students are still in high school
Is offered fully online, subject to PCC scheduling and availability
Supports La Salle’s Linguistics Pathway and future studies in international relations, business, education, translation, government, healthcare, and other globally focused fields
Interested in Arabic, Portuguese, or Russian?
The Center for Linguistic Exploration can guide interested students through the PCC concurrent enrollment process, helping students understand application steps, registration procedures, and how these courses can complement La Salle’s Linguistics Pathway.
Complete the Interest Form to receive application information and enrollment instructions.
PCC course offerings, schedules, enrollment eligibility, transferability, and availability are subject to change. Participation in La Salle language courses or PCC concurrent enrollment does not constitute admission to or participation in The Language Flagship. Students interested in a university Flagship program should review the current requirements of The Language Flagship and individual participating universities.
Arabic
ARBC 001: Elementary Arabic – Level 1
5 Units | Transfer Credit: CSU & UC
Arabic is a major global language spoken by hundreds of millions of people and is used across the Middle East, North Africa, and communities around the world. Studying Arabic can support future interests in international business, diplomacy, government, healthcare, education, translation, and global affairs.
Students are introduced to Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and begin developing skills in:
Arabic alphabet and pronunciation
Basic speaking and listening
Reading and writing
Fundamental grammar and vocabulary
Cultural traditions and practices across Arabic-speaking communities
Portuguese
PORT 001: Elementary Portuguese – Level 1
5 Units | Transfer Credit: CSU & UC
Portuguese is an international language spoken in Brazil, Portugal, and countries throughout Africa and Asia. It is an excellent option for students interested in international business, global studies, travel, music, Latin American studies, and Portuguese-speaking cultures.
Students begin developing:
Conversational Portuguese
Listening comprehension
Reading and writing skills
Fundamental vocabulary and grammar
Cultural understanding of Brazil, Portugal, and other Lusophone communities
Russian
RUSS 001: Elementary Russian – Level 1
5 Units | Transfer Credit: CSU & UC
Russian is one of the six official languages of the United Nations and is among the languages supported by The Language Flagship. Studying Russian can complement future interests in international affairs, diplomacy, translation, science, technology, government, and global business.
Students begin developing:
Speaking and listening skills
Reading and writing using the Cyrillic alphabet
Fundamental grammar and vocabulary
Understanding of Russian-speaking cultures, history, and traditions
Beginning a Flagship language during high school can give students an important head start toward advanced proficiency and future college study.
Through La Salle and PCC concurrent enrollment opportunities, students can:
Build language proficiency before college
Earn college credit while completing high school
Strengthen college applications through rigorous language coursework
Explore languages and cultures connected to future academic and career interests
Develop communication and intercultural competency
Explore future participation in a university Language Flagship Program
Prepare for globally focused majors and careers
Get an early start on college coursework while potentially saving future time and tuition costs
The Center for Linguistic Exploration helps students see language learning as more than simply completing a high school language requirement.
La Salle Language Study → Advanced Proficiency → College Study → The Language Flagship → Global & Professional Opportunities
Whether students begin with Mandarin Chinese at La Salle or explore Arabic, Portuguese, or Russian through PCC concurrent enrollment, the Center encourages students to build long-term language proficiency and connect their language studies with future college, career, and global opportunities.
Tina Wang is a language educator and international education specialist with extensive experience in world language instruction, program development, and cross-cultural learning. Holding a Master’s degree in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language, Ms. Wang has taught and led language programs across Asia, the Middle East, and the United States, bringing a global perspective and passion for language education to the La Salle community. As the Director of the Center for Linguistic Exploration, Ms. Wang oversees initiatives that promote language learning, cultural exploration, and global engagement. Her mission is to create opportunities for students who are passionate about learning world languages, empowering them to use language as a gateway to understanding the world, connecting with diverse cultures, and developing intercultural competence. She can be reached at: twang@lasallehs.org.
