Home
Class Schedule and Registration
English as a Second Language (ESL)
Teach English as a Second Language (TESL)
Foreign Language Classes
Children's Classes
Interpretation and Translation Services (ITS)
Culture and Diversity
Professional Training
Testing Center
Taxi Pro Hospitality Program
Financial Assistance
Get Involved-Friends/Fund
About Us
Mission
History & Governance
Press Releases & News
Awards & Affiliations
Admin Staff
ESL Staff
Foreign Language Staff
ITS Staff
Employment
Your Feedback
Contact Us
Resources
Site Map for TFLI Website

 
History
TFLI is an agency of the State of Tennessee established in 1986 by the General Assembly. According to legislation (Tennessee Code Annotated 49-50-1303), "The institute shall be governed by a board composed of the following members: 

1.
The commissioner of economic and community development or the commissioner's designee;
2. The commissioner of tourist development or the commissioner's designee;
3. The chancellor of the state university and community college system or the chancellor's designee;
4. The president of the University of Tennessee or the president's designee;
5. Three (3) persons who shall be appointed by the governor;
6. The executive director of the Tennessee higher education commission; and
7. The commissioner of education."

 

 

The official goals of the Tennessee Foreign Language Institute can be found in the legislative mandate in the Tennessee Code Annotated. The legislation outlines the purposes of TFLI, "which shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

  • Coordination and provision of foreign language skills needed by state government for purposes of industrial recruitment, tourist development or any other state purpose;
  • Original research into the most effective methods of foreign language 
    instruction and the dissemination of such knowledge;
  • Improvement of the language skills and teaching methods of foreign language instructors at all levels in the schools, colleges and universities of Tennessee;  and

Coordination and provision of foreign language instruction to the citizens of Tennessee."

 

The Tennessee Foreign Language Institute employs 15 culturally-diverse staff members, and hundreds of adjuncts from many cultures and countries. We fully support Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the strengthened provisions with regard to those with Limited English Proficiency. Please read this informative brochure for more information on Title VI.

 

  Current Governing Board members:

Richard G. Rhoda

TN Higher Education Commission, Governing Board Chair


William F. Hagerty, IV

TN Department of Economic and Community Development


John Morgan, Chancellor

TN Board of Regents


Joe Di Pietro, President 

University of Tennessee


Kevin Huffman, Commissioner 

TN Department of Education

Susan Whitaker, Commissioner

TN Department of Tourist Development


Jeannine De la Torre Ugarte

Katherine Taylor Haynes

Gloria Bishop


 

 

2011 February Report to the TFLI Governing Board

2010 Aug Report to the TFLI Governing Board

 

TFLI Scrapbook
Pause Stop Previous Next View full-sized photos