CLASP Excellence in Language Education Award

The CLASP Excellence in Language Education Award recognizes excellence in Less Commonly Taught Languages (LCTLs) spoken in Latin America and the Caribbean, including language instruction, pedagogical success, curriculum development, and efforts to promote, preserve, and revitalize LCTLs in the U.S. and abroad.  

The nomination period for the third annual award is now open. This year’s prize will specifically recognize outstanding achievements in Portuguese-language instruction.  The committee welcomes nominations of professors and instructors of Portuguese at all ranks and levels. 

For more information and instructions to submit your nomination, see the 2025 CLASP Excellence in Language Education Award Call for Nominations.

2024 Award Recipient

Manuela Petronila Tahay Tzaj
K’iche’ Language Instructor, University of Texas at Austin
Program Coordinator, Mayan Language Institute, Tulane University and Vanderbilt University

2024 Honorable Mention Recipient

Susana L. M. Antunes
Portuguese Program Coordinator and Associate Professor of Portuguese
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

2023 Award Recipient

Armando Muyolema
Kichwa language instruction
University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Utah, Brigham Young University, University of New Mexico and Arizona State University

2023 Honorable Mention Recipient

Manuela Petronila Tahay Tzaj
Maya K’iche’ language instruction
Tulane University, Vanderbilt University, Duke University and University of Virginia