The Institute of Language Studies (ILS) is an increasingly growing academic centre of Addis Ababa University. It has both undergraduate and graduate programs which are provided by four Departments and Units.

The Departments are:

The Department of Ethiopian Languages and Literature (DELL)

The Department of Foreign Languages and Literature (DFLL)

The Department of Linguistics (DLing)

The Department of Theatre Arts (DTHA)

The Units include

• The French Unit
• The German Unit
• The Arabic Unit
• The Italian Unit
• The Spanish Unit
  The Portuguese Unit
  
  ILS was established in 1978 when DFLL and D Ling began offering Master’s courses in three fields of studies, namely Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), Literature, and Linguistics. Since then, ILS has expanded significantly as an academic provider by diversifying fields of study, research areas, and program formats.
  
  With the exception of DTHA, all the three Departments offer both undergraduate and graduate courses; and among the graduate courses, doctoral studies are being run by all the three.
  
  
  
  ILS has recently renewed its commitment by outlining its vision and mission so that it contributes to the overall development of humanity and knowledge of its community. Its vision is stated as follows:

Vision

The Institute of Language Studies shall be the paramount centre of excellence among the nationally and regionally reputed institutions for the study of languages, theatre and culture.

Mission

The Institutes will work towards a mission that makes possible the above vision. The Institute of Language Studies in its pursuit of educational excellence, will build a modern institute which will keep abreast of modern approaches, methods and technology and will deliver superior quality in teaching, build strong graduate programs, engage in research, promote multilingualism and multiculturalism, and deliver professional services to the community.