Centers conduct and facilitate research in an area of interest to the field. They spearhead interdepartmental and interdisciplinary initiatives and reach out to educators and professionals in the wider community by providing services and by disseminating information.  The Department of Applied Linguistics houses four Centers.

Center for Advanced Language Proficiency Education and Research (CALPER)

The Center for Advanced Language Proficiency Education and Research (CALPER) is one of a small number of national language resource centers (LRC) funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Established in 2002, CALPER has focused on supporting language education through (a) developing innovative teaching materials, (b) expanding language learning assessment procedures, (c) conducting critical research to inform teaching practice, (d) creating extensive online professional development resources, and (e) offering intensive institutes and workshops for language educators. CALPER received a new LRC award from the U.S. Department of Education in August 2022 and, with support from the College of the Liberal Arts,  will continue operation at The Pennsylvania State University. For more information on CALPER and its activities, please visit the web site at http://calper.la.psu.edu.

Center for Language Acquisition (CLA)

The Center for Language Acquisition (CLA) is a research unit in the College of the Liberal Arts. Its primary focus is on conducting and supporting Applied Linguistics research on the teaching, learning, and assessment of foreign and second languages. It also develops and disseminates second language teaching and assessment materials based in the research paradigms of Applied Linguistics. For more information about current activities, please visit the web site of the Center for Language Acquisition at http://language.la.psu.edu

Center for Research on English Language Learning and Teaching (CRELLT)

The Center for Research on English Language Learning and Teaching (CRELLT) functions as a catalyst for advancing the Department’s established scholarly focus on the teaching and learning of ESL, with a particular focus on the non-credit Intensive English Communication Program (IECP). CRELLT regularly holds research meetings, such as monthly CA data sessions and biennial research meetings. More information on current projects and activities is available at the web site of CRELLT at http://crellt.la.psu.edu.

English for Professional Purposes Intercultural Center (EPPIC)

The English for Professional Purposes Intercultural Center (EPPIC) is a new initiative designed to provide research-based support for advanced English language learning and professional development to the growing cadre of internationals at Penn State.  To fulfill its mission, EPPIC conducts research on key genres of spoken and written communication across academic and professional communities at Penn State, and offers specialized English language services to assist international students, researchers and faculty in developing  the advanced-level communication skills that will enhance their current and future career success.  EPPIC also aims to foster a climate of intercultural and multilingual exchange at Penn State by offering workshops on cross-cultural communication for administrators, faculty, staff and students. For more information, please visit the web site of EPPIC at http://eppic.la.psu.edu