Students work at laptops in the Language Centre lab with headsets on.

Language Centre

What we offer

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    Language resources

    Use these resources to improve your language skills. Includes movies, dictionaries, online media, search engines and more.

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    Tutor program

    Book a student tutor to help with your language learning. Services are free to UM students registered in language coures.

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    Student activities

    Throughout the academic year, the Centre hosts language weeks, cultural events and an annual language contest. The Language Centre is a great place to learn about study abroad opportunities and meet other language students to practice your new language skills.

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    Community outreach

    The centre hosts an annual language contest for high school students, participates in "Take your Child to Work Day" and partners with local cultural groups to promote language learning to everyone.

Study languages

There are many reasons to add a language to your education. Throughout your degree, you can take courses in many languages offered at the beginner level or more advanced levels. Learning a language can lead to meeting new friends in a student club, travel study opportunities or career opportunities.

Language courses

The Faculty of Arts offers courses in the following languages:

    • Arabic
    • Chinese
    • Cree
    • French
    • German
    • Ancient Greek
    • Hebrew
    • Hungarian
    • Icelandic
    • Italian
    • Japanese
    • Korean
    • Latin
    • Michif
    • Ojibwe
    • Polish
    • Russian
    • Spanish
    • Ukrainian
    • Yiddish

Did you know? A full six credit hour language course at any level will satisfy the Bachelor of Arts Humanities requirement.

Language resources

The Language Centre offers program and department-specific resources.

Language Tutor program

Tutoring is available for students by students.

Book a tutor

New language learners registered in language courses can book a free tutor session with a Language Centre student tutor. Sessions run 30 to 60 minutes and may be one-on-one or with a small group of students. 

Email language.centre@umanitoba.ca with:

  1. Your name
  2. UM email address
  3. UM student number
  4. Language requesting tutoring in
  5. Course and section enrolled in
  6. Day and time requested
  7. What would you like help with? (short description)

Scheduling of appointments will be done Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Please give up to 24 hours for a response.

View the Winter 2024 tutoring availability schedule

Chinese
Monday after 1:30 p.m. 
Wednesday 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday after 2:15 p.m.
Friday after 1:30 p.m.

French
Monday 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., plus after 2:30 p.m
Tuesday 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Friday 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
 
German
Monday 10:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Icelandic
Monday, Wednesday, Friday between 10:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m., plus after 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday all day except from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. 
Thursday between 8:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.

Japanese
Monday to Friday 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
 
Korean
Monday before 12:00 p.m., plus after 12:45 p.m
Wednesday before 12:00 p.m., plus after 12:45 p.m
Thursday after 1:00 p.m.
Friday before 12:00 p.m., plus after 2:00 p.m.

Ojibwe/Anishinaabemowin
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Thursday 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. 

Russian
Wednesday and Friday from 12:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
 
Spanish
Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Thursday from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
 
Ukrainian
Wednesday and Friday from 12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Become a tutor

The Language Centre offers and coordinates a tutor program for new language learners. We are always looking for volunteers who can tutor students mainly in beginner language classes.

We are looking for advanced language learners or speakers in a variety of languages. You do NOT have to be a native speaker to participate. Tutors will use the Language Centre's Zoom account or meet in person in a designated room in the Dafoe Library.

The schedule is flexible and can be adapted to your availability. If you volunteer for at least 10 hours throughout the academic year, your time will be registered for UM Co-Curricular Record

Tutor training

Tutors receive an introductory workshop and will conduct mock sessions before tutoring their first student. The Academic Learning Centre also offers a Tutor Training Workshop each year.

Benefits to tutors

  • Be involved on campus.
  • Add it to your resume.
  • Practice your language.
  • Get Co-Curricular Record recognition (with 10 hours or more).
  • It's fun!

Apply to be a tutor

If you would like to apply to be a tutor, email us at language.centre@umanitoba.ca.

Language weeks

Join the Language Centre and explore the wide variety of foreign and native languages, offered by the Faculty of Arts. Learn about different cultures and history and take part in some fun presentations and games. This is also the perfect time to get information on language classes, travel study opportunities, language practice resources and more. Don’t miss out on our tour around the world!

Language weeks will restart in 2024-25.

If you are a department, program, student group interested in promoting or being part of the Languages Feature Weeks, please contact language.centre@umanitoba.ca.

Language contests

University language contest

Each year the Language Centre contest invites submissions from full-time University of Manitoba students. Students are asked to enter a project of creative expression relating to the contest theme.

2024 UM Language contest

Theme: Celebrate Diversity: Campus Multiculturalism Video Contest

The 2024 university student contest is OPEN! Deadline to enter is March 22, 2024.

Get ready to showcase the vibrant tapestry of cultures that make our campus a truly global community. Express and celebrate the rich mosaic of traditions, languages and perspectives that thrive on our campus.

  • Create a video up to 60 seconds in length that captures the essence of multiculturalism on campus.
  • Express your voice through interviews, storytelling or visual art. Convey the message of unity in diversity. Share how multiculturalism enriches our academic and social environment.
  • Use your artistic flair to make your video stand out. Incorporate music, dance, interviews, or any other creative elements that best convey the multicultural spirit of our campus.
  • All winning entries will be featured on our official university channels, promoting your talent and contributing to the celebration of multiculturalism.

2023 Winners: Why should you add a language to your university degree?

In 2023, we asked UM students to tell us why they should add a language to their university degree. Students were asked to consider the following:

  • Job opportunities in government, business, medicine, law, technology, military, industry, marketing, etc.
  • One’s world view and barriers between people
  • International travel and work
  • One’s participation and responsibly in a multi-cultural world
  • Foreign art, music, film, philosophy, science…

Congratulations to the 2023 winners:

Thank you to all UM students who took the time to enter the contest this year! We're looking forward to what you create in 2024.

High School language contest

Each year the Language Centre contest invites submissions from high school language program classes (grades 9-12). Classes are asked to submit a video relating to the contest theme.

2024 High School Language contest 

Theme: Celebrate Diversity - Multiculturalism Video Contest

The 2024 high school contest is now OPEN!
DEADLINE to enter is Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. CST.

Get ready to showcase the vibrant tapestry of cultures that make your high school a truly global community. Express and celebrate the rich mosaic of traditions, languages and perspectives that thrive at your school.

  • Create a video up to 60 seconds in length that captures the essence of multiculturalism at your high school.
  • Express your voice through interviews, storytelling or visual art. Convey the message of unity in diversity. Share how multiculturalism enriches your academic and social environment.
  • Use your artistic flair to make your video stand out. Incorporate music, dance, interviews, or any other creative elements that best convey the multicultural spirit at your school.
  • All winning entries will be featured on UM's official university channels, promoting your talent and contributing to the celebration of multiculturalism.

 

2022 Winners: Let's promote language learning

In 2022, we asked high school students to create an advertising campaign to encourage others to learn a new language. We asked them to tell us the top reasons to take a language course.

Congratulations to the 2022 winners:

Thank you to all students who took the time to enter the contest this year! We're looking forward to what you create next year.

2021 Winners: The power of language

In 2021, we asked high school students to tell us how languages shape people and cultures and the way we see things. We were curious to find out what students know about other cultures through language learning and if it changes their perception of their own culture.

Congratulations to the 2021 winners:

Thank you to all students who took the time to enter the contest! 

Study abroad

The University of Manitoba grants university credit for a number of different types of programs abroad. You can choose from exchange programs, travel study courses and field study courses that provide hands-on experience while allowing time to travel, explore and even work abroad.

Travel study/field study opportunities from the Faculty of Arts

Anthropology
Archaeological Field Schools
During the summer, field schools give students the chance to gain hands-on experience excavating and analyzing artifacts at a local or international site. For more information, contact anthro@umanitoba.ca.

Catholic Studies
In the summer, unique travel study courses have been offered to locations such as Spain, Ireland, Scotland, the Holy Land and China. The courses explore local sites integral to the history and culture of he Roman Catholic Church and students gain an understanding of the history, art, monuments, people and landscapes central to Catholic history.

German and Slavic Studies
Summer 2022 - Hungary
HUNG 2100: Hungarian Culture and Language (6 credit hours)
Participate in an immersive study experience in Budapest (5 days) and Szeged (14 days). Explore Hungarian culture, history, art, life and society in excursions, classes and guest lectures along with some introductory, conversational language training. Open to students from all faculties.

 

Student opportunities

Student groups

Student groups and clubs can help you practice a language, learn more about a culture and connect with others. Groups can bring together students who share a passion - from ethnic origin groups, to languages, areas of study and more.

UM student groups and clubs focused on language and culture:

German Students' Association on Instagram

Métis University Students' Association (MUSA) on Instagram

Polish Student Association on Instagram

Spanish Club on Instagram

Ukrainian Students' Association on Instagram

Depending on student involvement, a student group may not be active every year.

Volunteer/Job/Internship opportunities

Volunteer opportunities:

Become a Language Centre Tutor: The Language Centre offers and coordinates a tutor program for new language learners. We are always looking for volunteers who can tutor students mainly in beginner language classes. Learn more about becoming a Language Centre Tutor.

Folklorama: Become a general volunteer, pavilion volunteer, join Team Folklorama or the Folklorama Youth Council. Learn more about volunteering at Folklorama.

Job opportunities:

Internship opportunities:

Gain practical research or work experience through internships.

About us

The Language Centre

Located in the Isbister Building on UM’s Fort Garry Campus, the Language Centre was established in 1996 as a joint venture between the Faculty of Arts and the Extended Education Division.

The Language Centre works in close collaboration with all language departments to provide support and facilities for their language programs—including an information centre, a resource centre and two computerized learning laboratories.

Mission

It is our mission to improve:

  • The quality of teaching and learning through information exchange, networking, collaboration, research and development.
  • The language teaching and learning environment by upgrading the facilities, resources, materials and technologies available to bring language and culture alive in the classroom.

Language lab etiquette

To make the Language Lab as productive a study environment as possible we ask you please abide by the following rules:

  • Work as quietly as possible and keep conversation to a minimum especially when entering and leaving the lab.
  • Do not bring any food or drinks into the lab. Liquids and crumbs can destroy keyboards etc. Please leave any such items on the table by the door.
  • Do not use mobile phones in the lab.
  • Do not change the computer settings or icons.
  • Treat the computers (especially the headsets) gently and with respect.
  • Do not use the lab to read email, "surf" the web, work on term papers, etc. The Language Lab facilities are provided solely for the purpose of language learning. Please use one of the many campus Academic Computer Labs for other activities.
  • Do not connect any personal equipment (other than headsets) to the computers.
  • Report any problems, malfunctions or inappropriate use of the facilities to the staff.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Contact us

Language Centre
103 Isbister Building
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

204-474-6358
204-474-7590
Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:00 pm