Escuela Nacional de Lenguas, Lingüística y Traducción

From a humble language center to a national school, the Escuela Nacional de Lenguas, Lingüística y Traducción (ENALLT) has a fascinating story. Right here on UNAM’s campus, this institution has been shaping language education in Mexico for decades. Initially founded in 1966 as the Centro de Enseñanza de Lenguas Extranjeras (CELE), its primary focus was teaching foreign languages to university students. The Escuela Nacional de Lenguas, Lingüística y Traducción, as we know it today, was born on March 27, 2017. This marked a pivotal moment, expanding its scope with two new bachelor’s programs: Translation and Applied Linguistics. This transformation of the Escuela Nacional de Lenguas, Lingüística y Traducción addressed a growing need. The increasing presence of international individuals at UNAM and a national demand for cultural mediators and skilled translators called for a dedicated institution. The change also aimed to increase multilingualism amongst students. The creation of these bachelor programs at the Escuela Nacional de Lenguas, Lingüística y Traducción was a milestone. It positioned UNAM as the second public university in Mexico to offer a Translation degree, following the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California. Today, the ENALLT offers a diverse range of language programs. Eighteen languages are taught, including Arabic, Catalan, Korean, Chinese, Modern Greek, Hebrew, Romanian, Swedish, German, French, English, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, Spanish (distance learning), Nahuatl, Basque, and Italian. The Escuela Nacional de Lenguas, Lingüística y Traducción doesn’t just teach languages, it certifies proficiency in English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Mandarin Chinese, and German. It also provides teacher training courses, diplomas in translation and applied linguistics, and postgraduate programs. The main campus of the Escuela Nacional de Lenguas, Lingüística y Traducción houses classrooms, the Department of Translation and Interpretation, and the Stephen A. Bastien Library, established in 1980 and named after one of the founders. It also contains the Language and Applied Linguistics departments, a teaching support center, an audiovisual resource room, and a computer department. An annex is currently under construction to accommodate the growing bachelor’s programs. The ENALLT’s influence extends beyond its walls with the publication of the journal Estudios de Lingüística Aplicada since 1981. From its initial focus on foreign languages to its current multifaceted approach, the Escuela Nacional de Lenguas, Lingüística y Traducción stands as a testament to the power of language and its importance in our interconnected world.