Language Ambassador Program
The Language Learning and Research Center (LLRC) invites Stony Brook students to participate in the LLRC Language Ambassador Program by sharing their experiences studying languages at SBU. Stony Brook University offers courses in more than 10 world languages, providing students with opportunities to explore diverse languages, cultures, and global perspectives. Learning another language opens doors to new experiences, friendships, communities, and future opportunities. Students often discover that relying only on English can mean missing ways of thinking, communicating, connecting with people, and understanding the world that can only be experienced through language learning. Through this program, students can inspire others, especially first-year students, by sharing short video reflections on their experiences taking language courses at Stony Brook.
Who Can Participate?
Any Stony Brook student (both undergraduate and graduate) currently taking or who has previously taken a language course at SBU is welcome to participate.
What to Submit
Please submit a short video recording (approximately 45-60 seconds) sharing your experience studying a language at Stony Brook University.
You may talk about, for example:
- Why you decided to study the language
- A memorable classroom experience
- How language study influenced your perspectives or goals
- Experiences building friendships, connections, or a sense of community through language learning
- Participation in cultural events, conversation groups, study abroad, tutoring, volunteer work, or other community engagement activities
- Things you discovered or understood through learning the language that AI translation tools alone could not fully capture
- Advice for other students considering language courses
Submission Guidelines
- Please speak primarily in English, but you are welcome to incorporate the target language naturally into your video.
- Video length: 30–60 seconds (approximately 30-45 seconds recommended)
- Record your video using a phone, tablet, or computer
- Clear audio is more important than professional editing
- MP4 or MOV format is preferred, and the file size should be under 100 MB.
- Horizontal or vertical format is accepted
- By submitting your video, you grant the LLRC permission to share it on its website and other university-related promotional materials for educational and outreach purposes.
Recognition
Participants whose videos are selected will receive an LLRC Language Ambassador Commendation in recognition of their contribution to promoting the learning of diverse languages and cultures, cultural understanding, and global engagement at Stony Brook University. Selected videos will also be featured on the LLRC website using the participant’s preferred form of identification: full name, first name only, or anonymous presentation.
In each year, the most inspiring Language Ambassadors will be specially recognized for their outstanding contributions at an event hosted by the LLRC on campus.
Please email LLRC@stonybrook.edu if you are interested in participating in it.