Congratulations New TESL Grads!
Congratulations to our most recent graduates of our Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) course!
TLC News
TLC Provides Interpretation for Mayor's State of MetroAddress
Tennessee Language Center interpreters Gabriela Bohorquez and David Morales provided live simultaneous Spanish interpretation for the recent State of Metro address by Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell. Delivering real-time interpretation at this level requires precision, training, and experience—and we’re proud to help ensure Spanish-speaking residents can fully engage with their city. More than 23K viewers tuned into the stream of the Spanish broadcast.
Interpreters Complete Boot Camp
Congratulations to the 8 Spanish interpreters who completed the Tennessee Language Center’s Spring Simultaneous Interpreting Boot Camp!
In just four weeks, these professionals strengthened their ability to interpret accurately and confidently in real-time—mastering advanced techniques like décalage, anticipation, paraphrasing, and chunking while maintaining performance under pressure.
English Staff Attend International Conference
Jenny Rish, Director of English Programs, and Erin Keafer, Assistant Director, recently represented TLC at the TESOL 2026 International Convention & Expo in Salt Lake City.
Dr. Barnett Participates in JNCL-NCLIS Language Advocacy Days
Dr. C. Brian Barnett, Director of World Languages at TLC, was in Washington, D.C. last week advocating for language education as part of the three-member Tennessee delegation at JNCL-NCLIS Language Advocacy Days.
TLC Presents Spanish for Law Enforcement in Bristol
Law enforcement officers in Bristol recently completed the Tennessee Language Center’s Spanish for Law Enforcement training—a hands-on course built specifically for real-world policing situations. Offered in partnership with the Law Enforcement Innovation Center, the class equips officers with practical Spanish vocabulary and communication strategies they can immediately apply during traffic stops, interviews, emergencies, and de-escalation efforts.
TLC Translates Updated Education Freedom Scholarship Materials
When the Education Freedom Scholarship program launched, TLC translated the application and Family Handbook into Spanish, Arabic, and Chinese to help families across the state understand this new opportunity. After the program’s first year, updates were made—and we were proud to once again partner with the Tennessee Department of Education to translate the 2026–2027 materials into Spanish and Arabic.
70th TESL Cohort Graduates
We’re proud to celebrate the completion of TLC’s 70th Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) cohort—70 cohorts of educators committed to language access, opportunity, and impact.
TLC Welcomes Dr. Rebecca Todd Garvin
The Tennessee Language Center is excited to welcome Rebecca Todd Garvin, Ph.D., as our new research associate through a partnership with UT Southern. Dr. Garvin, who also serves as an assistant professor at UT Southern in Pulaski, will be leading research on languages, usage and accessibility across Tennessee.
This new role furthers one of TLC’s founding goals: conducting original research on effective language instruction and sharing that knowledge to strengthen language access statewide.