Indianapolis, Indiana – Indiana University’s (IU) renowned Language Workshop is marking a historic milestone this year as it celebrates its 75th anniversary. Established in 1951, the workshop has grown into one of the premier intensive language programs in the United States, offering students and professionals the opportunity to immerse themselves in a rigorous and highly effective learning environment. Over the decades, the IU Language Workshop has adapted to global needs while maintaining its original mission of fostering linguistic proficiency and cross-cultural understanding.
When the workshop first launched, its primary focus was on Russian language instruction, reflecting the geopolitical tensions of the Cold War era. A trifold pamphlet advertising that first summer session highlighted the program’s immersion-based approach, stating: “Instruction will be completely in Russian. Students will begin speaking Russian on the first day of class and will speak it throughout the course.”
The intensive nature of the program was evident from the start. Held from June 20 to July 25, 1951, the inaugural workshop welcomed just 40 students. But as interest in Slavic and East European studies grew, so too did enrollment. By 1965, more than 350 students and professionals were attending, drawn by the program’s stellar faculty and commitment to full-immersion instruction. The workshop became a hub for scholars, government officials, and aspiring linguists looking to enhance their fluency in critical languages.
In its early years, the IU Language Workshop was closely tied to national security concerns. With tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union escalating, learning Russian and other languages of the Eastern Bloc became a priority. The program played a crucial role in training diplomats, intelligence officers, and researchers who would go on to shape U.S. foreign policy. By the 1970s and 1980s, Indiana University had solidified its reputation as a leading institution for language instruction, attracting both students and renowned scholars.
Kathleen Evans, who has served as director of the Language Workshop since 2017, recalls the program’s influence during her own studies. “When I was a Russian language student in the ’80s, Indiana University was not only where you went to learn Russian, it was where you could spend the summer rubbing elbows with leading scholars from the U.S. and the Soviet Union,” she said.
Among the distinguished instructors who have taught at the workshop are Nina Berberova, a celebrated Russian writer, and Carl Proffer, the founder of Ardis Publishing, which specialized in Russian literature censored by the Soviet government. Their contributions enriched the program and deepened students’ engagement with the language and culture.
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, the workshop broadened its curriculum to include languages from across Central Asia and Eurasia. This expansion was met with enthusiasm from students eager to explore linguistic traditions beyond Russian. Veronika Trotter, a longtime Russian instructor who first arrived in Bloomington in 2002, was surprised by the level of dedication among American students. “The reputation in Europe is that Americans are very monolingual,” Trotter remarked. “But when I arrived in Bloomington, I met so many wonderfully bright students who were fluent not only in Russian, but in languages from Central Asian countries.”
Over the years, many alumni of the workshop have gone on to distinguished careers in academia, government, and international affairs. Among them is Marie Yovanovitch, former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan. She was honored with Indiana University’s inaugural Richard G. Lugar Award in 2019 for her contributions to diplomacy and international relations. Other alumni include researchers and policymakers who have played key roles in shaping global discourse on language, culture, and security.
The Language Workshop’s adaptability has been one of its greatest strengths. In response to shifting global priorities, it has expanded its offerings far beyond Slavic and Eurasian languages. Today, the program covers 27 languages, including Arabic, Korean, Azerbaijani, Pashto, Kurdish, and Polish. The inclusion of Arabic in 2007 was a direct response to the post-9/11 world, as national security initiatives placed greater emphasis on Middle Eastern languages.
In 2018, the workshop collaborated with IU’s three National Language Flagship programs—Arabic, Chinese, and Russian—to enhance its curriculum. This partnership introduced state-of-the-art instruction techniques and learning support mechanisms, ensuring that students received top-tier language education. The merger of IU’s Chinese Flagship Institute with the workshop in 2019 further cemented East Asian languages as a cornerstone of the program. Today, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean rank among the most popular language courses.
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 forced the workshop to adapt yet again. Most language courses transitioned to an online format, making instruction more accessible to students unable to relocate to Bloomington. While Arabic, Chinese, and Russian courses have since returned to in-person instruction, the shift to online learning has remained a vital part of the program. In fact, the number of nontraditional students—such as working professionals and researchers—tripled in 2020 and has remained high ever since.
For students enrolled in on-campus courses, the immersive experience remains a key draw. Small class sizes, daily one-on-one conversational practice with native speakers, and cultural activities such as cooking classes and film nights enhance the learning process. Instructors and guest speakers often include native speakers from a variety of backgrounds, ranging from scholars and diplomats to musicians and actors.
Beyond its summer courses, the workshop also manages the Hamilton Lugar School’s Language Summer Camp for K-6 students in Indianapolis. Hosted in partnership with the International School of Indiana, the camp offers young learners immersive experiences in languages such as Arabic, Mandarin, and French. This initiative extends the workshop’s impact, introducing the next generation to the joys of language learning at an early age.
Another hallmark of the program is its study-abroad component. For decades, workshop participants have had the opportunity to test their language skills in real-world settings. As early as 1967, groups of students traveled to the Soviet Union for immersive experiences. This summer, students studying Azerbaijani, Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, Czech, Hungarian, Kyrgyz, and Polish will have the chance to extend their learning through four-week study-abroad programs.
“This started 75 years ago as a summer workshop, but it has evolved to be so much more,” Evans noted. Indeed, the IU Language Workshop has grown into a vital institution for language education, preparing students for careers in diplomacy, academia, and beyond. Its legacy of excellence continues to shape the linguistic and cultural competencies of future generations.
To commemorate this milestone anniversary, the workshop is hosting a series of special events and exhibitions this summer. These celebrations will honor the program’s rich history while looking ahead to its future. As global events continue to evolve, the IU Language Workshop remains steadfast in its mission to provide top-quality language instruction and foster meaningful cross-cultural connections.
