Curated language learning spaces

Design principles of physical 21st century language centers

Abstract

This article develops a set of design principles for 21st century language centers. It is based on a 2013 survey of language center directors and staff for the International Association for Language Learning and Technology (IALLT). The proposed criteria, which are flexibility and adaptability, mission-based design, situatedness, social space and community design, and de-emphasis of technology, offer a new direction in the physical and conceptual design of 21st century language learning spaces.