Vol. 35 No. 1 (2026)

This special issue of Applied Language Learning is dedicated to innovative projects related to Instructing Language, Regional Expertise, and Culture (LREC). Since the passage of the Defense Language Transformation Roadmap (U.S. Department of Defense, 2005), the Department of Defense (now Department of War, DoW) has dedicated significant resources to building skillsets related to world language proficiency, cross-cultural competence, and regional expertise. These resources led to new LREC programs across the DoD schools, training institutions, and service academies. The articles in this issue illustrate the transformative educational experiences taking place at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC), U.S. Military Academy West Point, and U.S. Air Force Academy.

Transformative LREC instruction is grounded in the recognition that learning a language or culture—even if situated in its sociocultural complexity—is not a neutral cognitive activity. Rather, it is an encounter with difference that can unsettle deeply held assumptions about identity, values, and power. Several articles in this special issue demonstrate this shift to a broader context for teaching language proficiency, with the 12 articles divided into three categories: Technology, Pedagogy, and Data-Driven Teaching.

We hope all readers, regardless of context, will enjoy this issue, showcasing how LREC is not only a supporting capability, but an operational necessity. The full issue is available here or access each article below.