The Global Language Group, also known as Global Languages, is a non-profit, official student organization of The George Washington University (GW). It was founded by GW student Andrew Brown in September 2005, in effort to develop cooperation within the community through the education of international languages and cultures. Breaking down the language and culture barriers is the first and most important step to bringing people together around the world. The organization's mission is to increase global awareness and break down culture and language barriers, by making the education of language and culture accessible to the public, in an effort to foster a global community. One important objective of the Group is to help the community see far beyond language barriers and put foreign languages to a practical, cultural use from which individuals can truly benefit. In effort to help bridge the gap between cultures, native speakers teach free language and culture classes. What began with Brown teaching five to ten languages by himself has now become an endeavor involving approximately 230 volunteer teachers, offering free classes in 53 different languages. In addition to supplementing the University’s instruction of common languages, the Group teaches more exotic and rare languages that are scarcely taught at any language institute or university in the United States. Global Languages offers Survival Skills and Language Immersion classes. All classes are free of charge and taught by trained volunteer instructors. In addition to offering free language classes, Global Languages offers weekly cultural events including Ambassador Speaker Panels, Embassy visits, workshops, guest lecture series, Survey of Languages lecture series, fair-trade open-air markets, foreign film screenings, and a number of other events. In its first six months, the organization quickly grew to a membership of over 3,000 GW students, staff, and faculty. As Global Languages opened its programs to the public in April 2006, it received a remarkable increase in membership as many members of the Washington, DC community began to participate. The GW Student Activities Center's September 2006 assessment quoted registered members to be over 7,200, including the large amount of members from the community. This number also includes an approximate 250 volunteer staff members, of which over 230 are volunteer instructors. Many of the individuals reflected in the general membership are those who participate in Global Languages cultural events. The number of members participating specifically in the language classes is included. Registration for Global Languages Immersion classes went from over 100 students in the fall of 2006, to approximately 350 students in the spring of 2007, to 540 in the summer of 2007, to a record 1,100 plus students in the fall of 2007. This overwhelming increase in general membership as well as class registration placed Global Languages as GW's largest student organization. A growth of this magnitude in such short time is clear proof of the importance of foreign languages and cultures and their place in the GW and Washington, DC community. Global Languages is the recipient of multiple awards at GW, including the Pyramid Award for Student Organization of the Year, Excellence in Diversity, and (twice) the Walter G. Bryte Achievement Award, which recognizes outstanding leadership, dedication, and service exemplifying the ideals of the United States of America and the George Washington University. Additionally, Brown received the Baer Award for Individual Excellence, the Walter G. Bryte Achievement Award, and The George Washington Award, the highest honor/award at The George Washington University.