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 About CASL

The University of Maryland Center for Advanced Study of Language transcends boundaries to conduct academically rigorous research in language and national security. Our research is interdisciplinary, bringing together people from the government, academia, and the public. We structure our research in ways that not only advances areas of knowledge, but also directly serves the needs of the intelligence community, and ultimately the nation.

Some examples of our work include:

  • Arabic short course evaluation that led to improved Arabic language training for Marines about to be deployed to Iraq.
  • A user tool and reference guide that increases the government's capability for identifying Arabic dialects.
  • A prototype that helps identify people who can excel to high levels of language learning.
  • BRIDGE: a software tool to digitize paper-based critical language dictionaries. To learn more about our projects, go to our Annual Report.
Our researchers come from many disciplines and from across the country

We could not accomplish our ambitious research goals without the people who drive CASL's work every day. With over 100 researchers strong and growing, CASL draws from the best scholars and experts to accomplish its research.

Our Culture

CASL can be described as innovative, family-oriented and collaborative, to name a few. Learn more about what it is like to work at CASL by visiting Employment.

The History of CASL

In the wake of September 11, 2001, the government quickly needed to mobilize language capability in areas of the world that were unfamiliar and not well studied.

In the spring of 2003, CASL was founded at the University of Maryland. CASL seeks to answer four broad-based questions:
  • How can we improve upon the acquisition of language and cultural knowledge?
  • How much can we learn about acquiring and mastering language skills?
  • How can we enhance on-the-job language performance?
  • How can our research inform language public policy and programs now and in the future?

All visits to CASL are pre-approved.

University of Maryland | CASL - Center for Advanced Study of Language
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We are an important part of the University of Maryland

Many CASL employees are affiliated with campus departments, participate in University activities, and teach or take classes on campus.

We work with faculty members from across academia

CASL has affiliate researchers at other institutions. Here are just a few:
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