African Languages Across
Disciplines, Professions, and Communities
10-12 April, 2025 | Pittsburgh, PA
2025 African Language Teachers Association (ALTA) Conference
The African Language Teachers Association (ALTA) is a professional organization that works to promote the teaching of, and research in, African languages and cultures. ALTA’s annual conferences provide an avenue for teachers, researchers, students, and other stakeholders in the field to meet and share their research, experiences, and best practices. The 2025 ALTA Conference will explore the integration of various disciplines, professions, and communities to enhance African language pedagogy.
In an increasingly interconnected world, the teaching and learning of African languages must evolve to meet the demands of a diverse and globalized society. Participants will engage in discussions on how to incorporate cultural, social, and professional contexts into language instruction, making learning more relevant and impactful for students.
The conference will highlight innovative approaches that connect African language education with other areas of study, such as history, social sciences, health, technology, and the arts. Additionally, it will emphasize the role of community engagement, particularly the involvement of African diaspora communities, in enriching the language learning experience. By integrating disciplines, professions, and communities, we aim to empower educators to create more holistic, inclusive, and effective African language programs that prepare students to navigate and contribute to the complex realities of the modern world.
The 2025 ALTA conference will be hosted by the Center for African Studies in collaboration with the Less Commonly Taught Languages (LCTL) Center at the University of Pittsburgh, in Pittsburgh PA, from Thursday 10th to Saturday 12th, April 2025.
Conference Sub-Themes
The Conference Organizing Committee invites researchers, educators, practitioners, and program and curriculum developers to submit abstracts for individual papers and panel discussions on topics relevant to the conference theme and the following sub-themes:
- Pedagogical Innovations in African language teaching
- AI and Machine Learning in African Language Teaching
- Computational Linguistics for African Languages
- Gamification in African Language Learning
- Digital Archiving of African Languages
- Developing Digital Resources for African Languages
- Mapping African Language Use with GIS
- Diaspora Engagement in Language Pedagogy
- Building cross-disciplinary Alliances and Leadership
- Best Practices in Community Collaboration
- The Role and place of African languages in African Studies
- African Languages and Indigenous Knowledge
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Language Teaching
- Assessment Methods that Reflect Community Engagement, Cultural, and Interdisciplinary Integration
- Strategies for Increasing the Visibility and Importance of African Languages on Campuses
- Role of Study Abroad Programs in Advancing Proficienc
- Community Events, Cultural Exchanges, and Collaborative Projects
- Translation and Interpretation
- African Linguistics
- African Literature