By Jordan Galczynski on June 6, 2025
A New Immersive VR Learning Initiative from the Department of European Languages and Transcultural Studies (ELTS) in collaboration with Humanities Technology, funded by the UCLA Teaching and Learning Center
The ARC (Augmented Reality and Culture) Hub is a pioneering educational initiative that leverages immersive technology to enhance language acquisition, deepen cultural fluency, and prepare students for global careers. By integrating Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and AI-powered conversation tools, it offers UCLA students a highly interactive learning experience—placing them in real-world cultural scenarios, multilingual environments, and career-relevant simulations beyond the traditional classroom.
Under the direction of Dr. Nina Bjekovic, Director of Languages in ELTS, and in collaboration with Dr. Jordan Galczynski, Instructional Technology Manager, and Erika Snell, Instructional Technologist of Humanities Technology, the ARC Hub launched its pilot phase with the support of a Tier 2 grant from UCLA’s Teaching and Learning Center. The pilot was implemented across three ELTS courses and demonstrated the promise of immersive technology to boost language confidence, increase student engagement, and foster intercultural competence. Building on this success, the project has since secured a Tier 3 grant to support broader implementation and development in the upcoming academic year.
Through the ARC Hub, students interact with AI-powered tutors, practice conversations in virtual environments, and participate in simulations tailored to their culture and language of study. Scenarios include ordering food at a café, navigating unfamiliar cities, joining business meetings, and engaging with native speakers—all within low-stakes, supportive settings. This approach bridges the gap between classroom learning and real-world application, transforming passive study into active cultural experiential learning.
As the ARC Hub evolves, it is poised to expand its impact across UCLA’s language and culture programs. Plans include the integration of lesser-taught and heritage languages and deeper cross-departmental collaboration. With continued support, the Hub aims to play a central role in shaping an immersive, inclusive educational ecosystem on campus. This initiative joins UCLA’s mission to lead in equity-centered education and technology-enhanced pedagogy. At its core, the ARC Hub fosters global engagement and intercultural fluency by immersing students in authentic, contextual, everyday experiences. It is designed to enhance learners’ ability to contribute meaningfully to an increasingly interconnected world.
In alignment with its commitment to linguistic diversity and inclusion, the ARC Hub will also collaborate with Prof. Iker Arranz Otaegu and the Department of Spanish & Portuguese to develop content for Basque. Down the road the initiative is intended to extend beyond the ELTS department, calling on a broad range of cultures and regions studied across the humanities in order to further enrich its global scope.
To learn more or get involved, contact Dr. Nina Bjekovic (bjekovic@humnet.ucla.edu) or Dr. Jordan Galczynski (jordan@humnet.ucla.edu)