Students come to IU from all over the world to learn, to teach, and to conduct research in English as a Second Language, English as a Foreign Language, English/language arts, reading, and content literacy. Faculty members are engaged in international research projects that improve understanding of literacy and language education.

Examples of current faculty projects include:

• teaching English as a second language in Afghanistan
• studying literacy in Rwanda
• preserving and revitalizing indigenous languages in the Americas
• training teachers in Puerto Rico and China
• observing how children in Singapore develop critical reading skills on the Web
• critiquing children's and young adult literatures from around the world

Others concentrate on issues of linguistic and cultural diversity issues in the United States, supporting teachers who want to narrow the achievement gap, and supporting students whose literacy skills and cultural resources do not mirror those expected in schools. Our studies recognize rapidly dynamic literacies with expanding technologies that enable digital storytelling and networked connectivity through mobile apps, video games, and social media.