These are some resources to interact with language communities in Portland; maybe get out of the Reed bubble and practice some of your skills! Some organizations also host cultural events that don’t require any knowledge of the language.
Arab American Cultural Center of Oregon
This center partners with other cultural and religious groups that support the Arab and Middle Eastern community in the Portland metro area to sponsor events throughout the year. They hold a yearly Arab festival called Mahrajan.
Oregon Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association
The Oregon Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association was established over 100 years ago to support the Chinese and Chinese American population of Portland. They offer language classes and cultural events. The CCBA offers tours of its small museum and building, constructed for the organization in 1911, by appointment.
Alliance Française de Portland
The Alliance Française de Portland provides French language lessons, cultural events, and meet-ups for French speakers in the Portland area. It is a branch of a national organization.
German American Society of Portland
The German American Society of Portland offers German classes for all ages, conversation groups, and German cultural events.
Zeitgeist Northwest
This Portland-based arts and cultural organization that offers German classes and hosts a film series. Their website features book reviews and articles in both English and German.
Russian Oregon Social Services
This organization was created to support economic self-sufficiency in the Russian-speaking population and particularly focuses on working with Russian-speaking women. One can easily get involved in help teach ESL courses, citizenship classes, volunteering by providing English translations for clinical needs, and even helping women who have experience domestic abuse.
El Hispanic News
This bilingual regional newspaper addresses international events as well as local concerns in Portland. Some articles show how the Portland community responds to an international problem. This newspaper aims to inform the Portland public about Latin American concerns, as provide Latinos with a newspaper that is accessible to them.
El Latino de Hoy
This newspaper informs the Spanish-speaking community about local, national, Latin American, and world news. Local news stories are posted every week, and several national and world news stories appear daily.
Portland VOZ
This organization supports day laborers and immigrant workers in Portland. The website provides updated information about the group’s initiatives, as well as informing people about how to be involved.
Portland Mercado
This new addition to the Portland community is a market with different food trucks that represent the culinary variety of Latin America. They host monthly events were local Hispanic vendors sell their food.