diff --git a/cms/envs/common.py b/cms/envs/common.py
index b088259065..23b7de10a5 100644
--- a/cms/envs/common.py
+++ b/cms/envs/common.py
@@ -456,8 +456,13 @@ INSTALLED_APPS = (
 
     # Dark-launching languages
     'dark_lang',
+
     # Student identity reverification
     'reverification',
+
+    # User preferences
+    'user_api',
+    'django_openid_auth',
 )
 
 
diff --git a/cms/urls.py b/cms/urls.py
index 8192b45886..389409b834 100644
--- a/cms/urls.py
+++ b/cms/urls.py
@@ -36,6 +36,9 @@ urlpatterns = patterns('',  # nopep8
 
     url(r'^xmodule/', include('pipeline_js.urls')),
     url(r'^heartbeat$', include('heartbeat.urls')),
+
+    url(r'^user_api/', include('user_api.urls')),
+    url(r'^lang_pref/', include('lang_pref.urls')),
 )
 
 # User creation and updating views
diff --git a/common/djangoapps/dark_lang/models.py b/common/djangoapps/dark_lang/models.py
index 9912287b4e..6379a21fe2 100644
--- a/common/djangoapps/dark_lang/models.py
+++ b/common/djangoapps/dark_lang/models.py
@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@ class DarkLangConfig(ConfigurationModel):
     def released_languages_list(self):
         """
         ``released_languages`` as a list of language codes.
+
+        Example: ['it', 'de-at', 'es', 'pt-br']
         """
         if not self.released_languages.strip():  # pylint: disable=no-member
             return []
diff --git a/common/djangoapps/lang_pref/__init__.py b/common/djangoapps/lang_pref/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..4182bb6978
--- /dev/null
+++ b/common/djangoapps/lang_pref/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+"""
+Useful information for setting the language preference
+"""
+
+# this is the UserPreference key for the user's preferred language
+LANGUAGE_KEY = 'pref-lang'
diff --git a/common/djangoapps/lang_pref/middleware.py b/common/djangoapps/lang_pref/middleware.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..b14ea33690
--- /dev/null
+++ b/common/djangoapps/lang_pref/middleware.py
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+"""
+Middleware for Language Preferences
+"""
+
+from user_api.models import UserPreference
+from lang_pref import LANGUAGE_KEY
+
+
+class LanguagePreferenceMiddleware(object):
+    """
+    Middleware for user preferences.
+
+    Ensures that, once set, a user's preferences are reflected in the page
+    whenever they are logged in.
+    """
+
+    def process_request(self, request):
+        """
+        If a user's UserPreference contains a language preference and there is
+        no language set on the session (i.e. from dark language overrides), use the user's preference.
+        """
+        if request.user.is_authenticated() and 'django_language' not in request.session:
+            user_pref = UserPreference.get_preference(request.user, LANGUAGE_KEY)
+            if user_pref:
+                request.session['django_language'] = user_pref
diff --git a/common/djangoapps/lang_pref/tests/test_middleware.py b/common/djangoapps/lang_pref/tests/test_middleware.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..68d39265b6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/common/djangoapps/lang_pref/tests/test_middleware.py
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+from django.test import TestCase
+from django.test.client import RequestFactory
+from django.contrib.sessions.middleware import SessionMiddleware
+
+from lang_pref.middleware import LanguagePreferenceMiddleware
+from user_api.models import UserPreference
+from lang_pref import LANGUAGE_KEY
+from student.tests.factories import UserFactory
+
+
+class TestUserPreferenceMiddleware(TestCase):
+    """
+    Tests to make sure user preferences are getting properly set in the middleware
+    """
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        self.middleware = LanguagePreferenceMiddleware()
+        self.session_middleware = SessionMiddleware()
+        self.user = UserFactory.create()
+        self.request = RequestFactory().get('/somewhere')
+        self.request.user = self.user
+        self.session_middleware.process_request(self.request)
+
+    def test_no_language_set_in_session_or_prefs(self):
+        # nothing set in the session or the prefs
+        self.middleware.process_request(self.request)
+        self.assertNotIn('django_language', self.request.session)
+
+    def test_language_in_user_prefs(self):
+        # language set in the user preferences and not the session
+        UserPreference.set_preference(self.user, LANGUAGE_KEY, 'eo')
+        self.middleware.process_request(self.request)
+        self.assertEquals(self.request.session['django_language'], 'eo')
+
+    def test_language_in_session(self):
+        # language set in both the user preferences and session,
+        # session should get precedence
+        self.request.session['django_language'] = 'en'
+        UserPreference.set_preference(self.user, LANGUAGE_KEY, 'eo')
+        self.middleware.process_request(self.request)
+
+        self.assertEquals(self.request.session['django_language'], 'en')
diff --git a/common/djangoapps/lang_pref/tests/test_views.py b/common/djangoapps/lang_pref/tests/test_views.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..7d6bffd2a9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/common/djangoapps/lang_pref/tests/test_views.py
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+"""
+Tests for the language setting view
+"""
+from django.core.urlresolvers import reverse
+from django.test import TestCase
+from student.tests.factories import UserFactory
+from user_api.models import UserPreference
+from lang_pref import LANGUAGE_KEY
+
+
+class TestLanguageSetting(TestCase):
+    """
+    Test setting languages
+    """
+    def test_set_preference_happy(self):
+        user = UserFactory.create()
+        self.client.login(username=user.username, password='test')
+
+        lang = 'en'
+        response = self.client.post(reverse('lang_pref_set_language'), {'language': lang})
+
+        self.assertEquals(response.status_code, 200)
+        user_pref = UserPreference.get_preference(user, LANGUAGE_KEY)
+        self.assertEqual(user_pref, lang)
+
+    def test_set_preference_missing_lang(self):
+        user = UserFactory.create()
+        self.client.login(username=user.username, password='test')
+
+        response = self.client.post(reverse('lang_pref_set_language'))
+
+        self.assertEquals(response.status_code, 400)
+
+        self.assertIsNone(UserPreference.get_preference(user, LANGUAGE_KEY))
diff --git a/common/djangoapps/lang_pref/urls.py b/common/djangoapps/lang_pref/urls.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..b6199fcdcf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/common/djangoapps/lang_pref/urls.py
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+"""
+Urls for managing language preferences
+"""
+
+from django.conf.urls import patterns, url
+
+urlpatterns = patterns(
+    '',
+    url(r'^setlang/', 'lang_pref.views.set_language', name='lang_pref_set_language')
+)
diff --git a/common/djangoapps/lang_pref/views.py b/common/djangoapps/lang_pref/views.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..78f99b73e0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/common/djangoapps/lang_pref/views.py
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+"""
+Views for accessing language preferences
+"""
+from django.contrib.auth.decorators import login_required
+from django.http import HttpResponse, HttpResponseBadRequest
+
+from user_api.models import UserPreference
+from lang_pref import LANGUAGE_KEY
+
+
+@login_required
+def set_language(request):
+    """
+    This view is called when the user would like to set a language preference
+    """
+    user = request.user
+    lang_pref = request.POST.get('language', None)
+
+    if lang_pref:
+        UserPreference.set_preference(user, LANGUAGE_KEY, lang_pref)
+        return HttpResponse('{"success": true}')
+
+    return HttpResponseBadRequest('no language provided')
diff --git a/common/djangoapps/student/views.py b/common/djangoapps/student/views.py
index bb00430da3..24808d7539 100644
--- a/common/djangoapps/student/views.py
+++ b/common/djangoapps/student/views.py
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ from student.firebase_token_generator import create_token
 
 from verify_student.models import SoftwareSecurePhotoVerification, MidcourseReverificationWindow
 from certificates.models import CertificateStatuses, certificate_status_for_student
+from dark_lang.models import DarkLangConfig
 
 from xmodule.course_module import CourseDescriptor
 from xmodule.modulestore.exceptions import ItemNotFoundError
@@ -61,6 +62,8 @@ import external_auth.views
 
 from bulk_email.models import Optout, CourseAuthorization
 import shoppingcart
+from user_api.models import UserPreference
+from lang_pref import LANGUAGE_KEY
 
 import track.views
 
@@ -468,23 +471,42 @@ def dashboard(request):
     # we'll display the banner
     denied_banner = any(item.display for item in reverifications["denied"])
 
-    context = {'course_enrollment_pairs': course_enrollment_pairs,
-               'course_optouts': course_optouts,
-               'message': message,
-               'external_auth_map': external_auth_map,
-               'staff_access': staff_access,
-               'errored_courses': errored_courses,
-               'show_courseware_links_for': show_courseware_links_for,
-               'all_course_modes': course_modes,
-               'cert_statuses': cert_statuses,
-               'show_email_settings_for': show_email_settings_for,
-               'reverifications': reverifications,
-               'verification_status': verification_status,
-               'verification_msg': verification_msg,
-               'show_refund_option_for': show_refund_option_for,
-               'denied_banner': denied_banner,
-               'billing_email': settings.PAYMENT_SUPPORT_EMAIL,
-               }
+    language_options = DarkLangConfig.current().released_languages_list
+
+    # add in the default language if it's not in the list of released languages
+    if settings.LANGUAGE_CODE not in language_options:
+        language_options.append(settings.LANGUAGE_CODE)
+
+    # try to get the prefered language for the user
+    cur_lang_code = UserPreference.get_preference(request.user, LANGUAGE_KEY)
+    if cur_lang_code:
+        # if the user has a preference, get the name from the code
+        current_language = settings.LANGUAGE_DICT[cur_lang_code]
+    else:
+        # if the user doesn't have a preference, use the default language
+        current_language = settings.LANGUAGE_DICT[settings.LANGUAGE_CODE]
+
+    context = {
+        'course_enrollment_pairs': course_enrollment_pairs,
+        'course_optouts': course_optouts,
+        'message': message,
+        'external_auth_map': external_auth_map,
+        'staff_access': staff_access,
+        'errored_courses': errored_courses,
+        'show_courseware_links_for': show_courseware_links_for,
+        'all_course_modes': course_modes,
+        'cert_statuses': cert_statuses,
+        'show_email_settings_for': show_email_settings_for,
+        'reverifications': reverifications,
+        'verification_status': verification_status,
+        'verification_msg': verification_msg,
+        'show_refund_option_for': show_refund_option_for,
+        'denied_banner': denied_banner,
+        'billing_email': settings.PAYMENT_SUPPORT_EMAIL,
+        'language_options': language_options,
+        'current_language': current_language,
+        'current_language_code': cur_lang_code,
+    }
 
     return render_to_response('dashboard.html', context)
 
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/user_api/__init__.py b/common/djangoapps/user_api/__init__.py
similarity index 100%
rename from lms/djangoapps/user_api/__init__.py
rename to common/djangoapps/user_api/__init__.py
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/user_api/migrations/0001_initial.py b/common/djangoapps/user_api/migrations/0001_initial.py
similarity index 100%
rename from lms/djangoapps/user_api/migrations/0001_initial.py
rename to common/djangoapps/user_api/migrations/0001_initial.py
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/user_api/migrations/__init__.py b/common/djangoapps/user_api/migrations/__init__.py
similarity index 100%
rename from lms/djangoapps/user_api/migrations/__init__.py
rename to common/djangoapps/user_api/migrations/__init__.py
diff --git a/common/djangoapps/user_api/models.py b/common/djangoapps/user_api/models.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..77ab4c6c95
--- /dev/null
+++ b/common/djangoapps/user_api/models.py
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+from django.contrib.auth.models import User
+from django.db import models
+
+
+class UserPreference(models.Model):
+    """A user's preference, stored as generic text to be processed by client"""
+    user = models.ForeignKey(User, db_index=True, related_name="+")
+    key = models.CharField(max_length=255, db_index=True)
+    value = models.TextField()
+
+    class Meta:
+        unique_together = ("user", "key")
+
+    @classmethod
+    def set_preference(cls, user, preference_key, preference_value):
+        """
+        Sets the user preference for a given key
+        """
+        user_pref, _ = cls.objects.get_or_create(user=user, key=preference_key)
+        user_pref.value = preference_value
+        user_pref.save()
+
+    @classmethod
+    def get_preference(cls, user, preference_key, default=None):
+        """
+        Gets the user preference value for a given key
+
+        Returns the given default if there isn't a preference for the given key
+        """
+
+        try:
+            user_pref = cls.objects.get(user=user, key=preference_key)
+            return user_pref.value
+        except cls.DoesNotExist:
+            return default
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/user_api/serializers.py b/common/djangoapps/user_api/serializers.py
similarity index 100%
rename from lms/djangoapps/user_api/serializers.py
rename to common/djangoapps/user_api/serializers.py
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/user_api/tests/__init__.py b/common/djangoapps/user_api/tests/__init__.py
similarity index 100%
rename from lms/djangoapps/user_api/tests/__init__.py
rename to common/djangoapps/user_api/tests/__init__.py
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/user_api/tests/factories.py b/common/djangoapps/user_api/tests/factories.py
similarity index 100%
rename from lms/djangoapps/user_api/tests/factories.py
rename to common/djangoapps/user_api/tests/factories.py
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/user_api/tests/test_models.py b/common/djangoapps/user_api/tests/test_models.py
similarity index 61%
rename from lms/djangoapps/user_api/tests/test_models.py
rename to common/djangoapps/user_api/tests/test_models.py
index db1af152b7..b187cd2360 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/user_api/tests/test_models.py
+++ b/common/djangoapps/user_api/tests/test_models.py
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ from django.db import IntegrityError
 from django.test import TestCase
 from student.tests.factories import UserFactory
 from user_api.tests.factories import UserPreferenceFactory
+from user_api.models import UserPreference
 
 
 class UserPreferenceModelTest(TestCase):
@@ -26,3 +27,21 @@ class UserPreferenceModelTest(TestCase):
             key="testkey3",
             value="\xe8\xbf\x99\xe6\x98\xaf\xe4\xb8\xad\xe5\x9b\xbd\xe6\x96\x87\xe5\xad\x97'"
         )
+
+    def test_get_set_preference(self):
+        # Checks that you can set a preference and get that preference later
+        # Also, tests that no preference is returned for keys that are not set
+
+        user = UserFactory.create()
+        key = 'testkey'
+        value = 'testvalue'
+
+        # does a round trip
+        UserPreference.set_preference(user, key, value)
+        pref = UserPreference.get_preference(user, key)
+
+        self.assertEqual(pref, value)
+
+        # get preference for key that doesn't exist for user
+        pref = UserPreference.get_preference(user, 'testkey_none')
+        self.assertIsNone(pref)
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/user_api/tests/test_views.py b/common/djangoapps/user_api/tests/test_views.py
similarity index 95%
rename from lms/djangoapps/user_api/tests/test_views.py
rename to common/djangoapps/user_api/tests/test_views.py
index 451b167050..4143a467d7 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/user_api/tests/test_views.py
+++ b/common/djangoapps/user_api/tests/test_views.py
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 import base64
 
-from django.contrib.auth.models import User
 from django.test import TestCase
 from django.test.utils import override_settings
 import json
@@ -17,21 +16,9 @@ USER_PREFERENCE_LIST_URI = "/user_api/v1/user_prefs/"
 
 
 @override_settings(EDX_API_KEY=TEST_API_KEY)
-class UserApiTestCase(TestCase):
-    def setUp(self):
-        super(UserApiTestCase, self).setUp()
-        self.users = [
-            UserFactory.create(
-                email="test{0}@test.org".format(i),
-                profile__name="Test {0}".format(i)
-            )
-            for i in range(5)
-        ]
-        self.prefs = [
-            UserPreferenceFactory.create(user=self.users[0], key="key0"),
-            UserPreferenceFactory.create(user=self.users[0], key="key1"),
-            UserPreferenceFactory.create(user=self.users[1], key="key0")
-        ]
+class ApiTestCase(TestCase):
+
+    LIST_URI = USER_LIST_URI
 
     def basic_auth(self, username, password):
         return {'HTTP_AUTHORIZATION': 'Basic ' + base64.b64encode('%s:%s' % (username, password))}
@@ -95,11 +82,41 @@ class UserApiTestCase(TestCase):
         """Assert that the given response has the status code 403"""
         self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 403)
 
+    def assertHttpBadRequest(self, response):
+        """Assert that the given response has the status code 400"""
+        self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 400)
+
     def assertHttpMethodNotAllowed(self, response):
         """Assert that the given response has the status code 405"""
         self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 405)
 
 
+class EmptyUserTestCase(ApiTestCase):
+    def test_get_list_empty(self):
+        result = self.get_json(self.LIST_URI)
+        self.assertEqual(result["count"], 0)
+        self.assertIsNone(result["next"])
+        self.assertIsNone(result["previous"])
+        self.assertEqual(result["results"], [])
+
+
+class UserApiTestCase(ApiTestCase):
+    def setUp(self):
+        super(UserApiTestCase, self).setUp()
+        self.users = [
+            UserFactory.create(
+                email="test{0}@test.org".format(i),
+                profile__name="Test {0}".format(i)
+            )
+            for i in range(5)
+        ]
+        self.prefs = [
+            UserPreferenceFactory.create(user=self.users[0], key="key0"),
+            UserPreferenceFactory.create(user=self.users[0], key="key1"),
+            UserPreferenceFactory.create(user=self.users[1], key="key0")
+        ]
+
+
 class UserViewSetTest(UserApiTestCase):
     LIST_URI = USER_LIST_URI
 
@@ -137,17 +154,10 @@ class UserViewSetTest(UserApiTestCase):
     def test_basic_auth(self):
         # ensure that having basic auth headers in the mix does not break anything
         self.assertHttpOK(
-                self.request_with_auth("get", self.LIST_URI, **self.basic_auth('someuser', 'somepass')))
+            self.request_with_auth("get", self.LIST_URI,
+                                   **self.basic_auth('someuser', 'somepass')))
         self.assertHttpForbidden(
-                self.client.get(self.LIST_URI, **self.basic_auth('someuser', 'somepass')))
-
-    def test_get_list_empty(self):
-        User.objects.all().delete()
-        result = self.get_json(self.LIST_URI)
-        self.assertEqual(result["count"], 0)
-        self.assertIsNone(result["next"])
-        self.assertIsNone(result["previous"])
-        self.assertEqual(result["results"], [])
+            self.client.get(self.LIST_URI, **self.basic_auth('someuser', 'somepass')))
 
     def test_get_list_nonempty(self):
         result = self.get_json(self.LIST_URI)
@@ -245,14 +255,6 @@ class UserPreferenceViewSetTest(UserApiTestCase):
     def test_debug_auth(self):
         self.assertHttpOK(self.client.get(self.LIST_URI))
 
-    def test_get_list_empty(self):
-        UserPreference.objects.all().delete()
-        result = self.get_json(self.LIST_URI)
-        self.assertEqual(result["count"], 0)
-        self.assertIsNone(result["next"])
-        self.assertIsNone(result["previous"])
-        self.assertEqual(result["results"], [])
-
     def test_get_list_nonempty(self):
         result = self.get_json(self.LIST_URI)
         self.assertEqual(result["count"], 3)
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/user_api/urls.py b/common/djangoapps/user_api/urls.py
similarity index 100%
rename from lms/djangoapps/user_api/urls.py
rename to common/djangoapps/user_api/urls.py
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/user_api/views.py b/common/djangoapps/user_api/views.py
similarity index 100%
rename from lms/djangoapps/user_api/views.py
rename to common/djangoapps/user_api/views.py
index c64a5a4d23..23066920d8 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/user_api/views.py
+++ b/common/djangoapps/user_api/views.py
@@ -4,8 +4,8 @@ from rest_framework import authentication
 from rest_framework import filters
 from rest_framework import permissions
 from rest_framework import viewsets
-from user_api.models import UserPreference
 from user_api.serializers import UserSerializer, UserPreferenceSerializer
+from user_api.models import UserPreference
 
 
 class ApiKeyHeaderPermission(permissions.BasePermission):
diff --git a/common/test/acceptance/pages/lms/dashboard.py b/common/test/acceptance/pages/lms/dashboard.py
index 0f768af60d..cd6aa199a8 100644
--- a/common/test/acceptance/pages/lms/dashboard.py
+++ b/common/test/acceptance/pages/lms/dashboard.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 """
 Student dashboard page.
 """
@@ -17,6 +18,14 @@ class DashboardPage(PageObject):
     def is_browser_on_page(self):
         return self.is_css_present('section.my-courses')
 
+    @property
+    def current_courses_text(self):
+        text_items = self.css_text('section#my-courses')
+        if len(text_items) > 0:
+            return text_items[0]
+        else:
+            return ""
+
     @property
     def available_courses(self):
         """
@@ -59,3 +68,11 @@ class DashboardPage(PageObject):
             return "a.enter-course:nth-of-type({0})".format(link_index + 1)
         else:
             return None
+
+    def change_language(self, code):
+        """
+        Change the language on the dashboard to the language corresponding with `code`.
+        """
+        self.css_click(".edit-language")
+        self.select_option("language", code)
+        self.css_click("#submit-lang")
diff --git a/common/test/acceptance/tests/test_lms.py b/common/test/acceptance/tests/test_lms.py
index 4f65729895..13d82cff4a 100644
--- a/common/test/acceptance/tests/test_lms.py
+++ b/common/test/acceptance/tests/test_lms.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 """
 E2E tests for the LMS.
 """
@@ -5,7 +6,7 @@ E2E tests for the LMS.
 from unittest import skip
 
 from bok_choy.web_app_test import WebAppTest
-from bok_choy.promise import EmptyPromise, fulfill_before
+from bok_choy.promise import EmptyPromise, fulfill_before, fulfill, Promise
 
 from .helpers import UniqueCourseTest, load_data_str
 from ..pages.studio.auto_auth import AutoAuthPage
@@ -17,6 +18,7 @@ from ..pages.lms.course_info import CourseInfoPage
 from ..pages.lms.tab_nav import TabNavPage
 from ..pages.lms.course_nav import CourseNavPage
 from ..pages.lms.progress import ProgressPage
+from ..pages.lms.dashboard import DashboardPage
 from ..pages.lms.video import VideoPage
 from ..pages.xblock.acid import AcidView
 from ..fixtures.course import CourseFixture, XBlockFixtureDesc, CourseUpdateDesc
@@ -68,6 +70,66 @@ class RegistrationTest(UniqueCourseTest):
         self.assertIn(self.course_info['display_name'], course_names)
 
 
+class LanguageTest(UniqueCourseTest):
+    """
+    Tests that the change language functionality on the dashboard works
+    """
+
+    @property
+    def _changed_lang_promise(self):
+        def _check_func():
+            text = self.dashboard_page.current_courses_text
+            return (len(text) > 0, text)
+        return Promise(_check_func, "language changed")
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        """
+        Initiailize dashboard page
+        """
+        super(LanguageTest, self).setUp()
+        self.dashboard_page = DashboardPage(self.browser)
+
+        self.test_new_lang = 'eo'
+        # This string is unicode for "ÇÜRRÉNT ÇØÜRSÉS", which should appear in our Dummy Esperanto page
+        # We store the string this way because Selenium seems to try and read in strings from
+        # the HTML in this format. Ideally we could just store the raw ÇÜRRÉNT ÇØÜRSÉS string here
+        self.current_courses_text = u'\xc7\xdcRR\xc9NT \xc7\xd6\xdcRS\xc9S'
+
+        self.username = "test"
+        self.password = "testpass"
+        self.email = "test@example.com"
+
+    def test_change_lang(self):
+        AutoAuthPage(self.browser, course_id=self.course_id).visit()
+        self.dashboard_page.visit()
+        # Change language to Dummy Esperanto
+        self.dashboard_page.change_language(self.test_new_lang)
+
+        changed_text = fulfill(self._changed_lang_promise)
+        # We should see the dummy-language text on the page
+        self.assertIn(self.current_courses_text, changed_text)
+
+    def test_language_persists(self):
+        auto_auth_page = AutoAuthPage(self.browser, username=self.username, password=self.password, email=self.email, course_id=self.course_id)
+        auto_auth_page.visit()
+
+        self.dashboard_page.visit()
+        # Change language to Dummy Esperanto
+        self.dashboard_page.change_language(self.test_new_lang)
+
+        # destroy session
+        self.browser._cookie_manager.delete()
+
+        # log back in
+        auto_auth_page.visit()
+
+        self.dashboard_page.visit()
+
+        changed_text = fulfill(self._changed_lang_promise)
+        # We should see the dummy-language text on the page
+        self.assertIn(self.current_courses_text, changed_text)
+
+
 class HighLevelTabTest(UniqueCourseTest):
     """
     Tests that verify each of the high-level tabs available within a course.
diff --git a/common/test/db_fixtures/released_lang.json b/common/test/db_fixtures/released_lang.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..7c6f1d0d42
--- /dev/null
+++ b/common/test/db_fixtures/released_lang.json
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+[{"pk": 1, "model": "dark_lang.darklangconfig", "fields": {"change_date": "2100-01-30T20:34:20Z", "changed_by": null, "enabled": true, "released_languages": "en,eo"}}]
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/user_api/models.py b/lms/djangoapps/user_api/models.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 3450c03aa3..0000000000
--- a/lms/djangoapps/user_api/models.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,12 +0,0 @@
-from django.contrib.auth.models import User
-from django.db import models
-
-
-class UserPreference(models.Model):
-    """A user's preference, stored as generic text to be processed by client"""
-    user = models.ForeignKey(User, db_index=True, related_name="+")
-    key = models.CharField(max_length=255, db_index=True)
-    value = models.TextField()
-
-    class Meta:
-        unique_together = ("user", "key")
diff --git a/lms/envs/common.py b/lms/envs/common.py
index a3879e15f6..69b9440e15 100644
--- a/lms/envs/common.py
+++ b/lms/envs/common.py
@@ -501,7 +501,8 @@ LANGUAGE_CODE = 'en'  # http://www.i18nguy.com/unicode/language-identifiers.html
 
 # Sourced from http://www.localeplanet.com/icu/ and wikipedia
 LANGUAGES = (
-    ('eo', u'Dummy Language (Esperanto)'),  # Dummy language used for testing
+    ('en', u'English'),
+    ('eo', u'Dummy Language (Esperanto)'),  # Dummy languaged used for testing
     ('fake2', u'Fake translations'),        # Another dummy language for testing (not pushed to prod)
 
     ('ach', u'Acholi'),  # Acoli
@@ -554,6 +555,8 @@ LANGUAGES = (
     ('zh-tw', u'台灣正體'),  # Chinese (Taiwan)
 )
 
+LANGUAGE_DICT = dict(LANGUAGES)
+
 USE_I18N = True
 USE_L10N = True
 
@@ -698,6 +701,10 @@ MIDDLEWARE_CLASSES = (
     # Allows us to dark-launch particular languages
     'dark_lang.middleware.DarkLangMiddleware',
 
+    # Allows us to set user preferences
+    # should be after DarkLangMiddleware
+    'lang_pref.middleware.LanguagePreferenceMiddleware',
+
     # Detects user-requested locale from 'accept-language' header in http request
     'django.middleware.locale.LocaleMiddleware',
 
diff --git a/lms/static/sass/base/_mixins.scss b/lms/static/sass/base/_mixins.scss
index 22a1d96dbd..0205fe9875 100644
--- a/lms/static/sass/base/_mixins.scss
+++ b/lms/static/sass/base/_mixins.scss
@@ -97,6 +97,26 @@
 %ui-depth4 { z-index: 10000; }
 %ui-depth5 { z-index: 100000; }
 
+// extends - UI - utility - nth-type style clearing
+%wipe-first-child {
+
+  &:first-child {
+    margin-top: 0;
+    border-top: none;
+    padding-top: 0;
+  }
+}
+
+// extends - UI - utility - nth-type style clearing
+%wipe-last-child {
+
+  &:last-child {
+    margin-bottom: 0;
+    border-bottom: none;
+    padding-bottom: 0;
+  }
+}
+
 // extends -hidden elems - screenreaders
 %text-sr {
   border: 0;
diff --git a/lms/static/sass/elements/_controls.scss b/lms/static/sass/elements/_controls.scss
index 30629537da..d7f1376d93 100644
--- a/lms/static/sass/elements/_controls.scss
+++ b/lms/static/sass/elements/_controls.scss
@@ -231,7 +231,8 @@
   cursor: default;
   pointer-events: none;
   box-shadow: none;
-  :hover, :focus {
+
+  &:hover, &:focus {
     pointer-events: none;
   }
 }
diff --git a/lms/static/sass/multicourse/_dashboard.scss b/lms/static/sass/multicourse/_dashboard.scss
index ef864cb392..5172981661 100644
--- a/lms/static/sass/multicourse/_dashboard.scss
+++ b/lms/static/sass/multicourse/_dashboard.scss
@@ -854,6 +854,22 @@
     }
   }
 
+  // status - language
+  .status-language {
+
+    .icon {
+      @include font-size(17);
+      display: inline-block;
+      vertical-align: middle;
+      margin-right: ($baseline/4);
+      color: $black;
+    }
+
+    .title .icon {
+      opacity: 0.75; // needed to overcome bad specificity elsewhere
+    }
+  }
+
   // status - verification
   .status-verification {
 
diff --git a/lms/static/sass/shared/_modal.scss b/lms/static/sass/shared/_modal.scss
index f9c3027ddf..b8a02d686d 100644
--- a/lms/static/sass/shared/_modal.scss
+++ b/lms/static/sass/shared/_modal.scss
@@ -325,3 +325,37 @@
   @extend .modal;
 }
 
+// --------------------
+
+// CASE: language settings
+.modal-settings-language {
+
+  // general reset
+  .list-input, .list-actions {
+    @extend %ui-no-list;
+  }
+
+  .settings-language-select .select {
+    width: 100%;
+  }
+
+  .list-input {
+    margin-bottom: $baseline;
+  }
+
+  .actions-supplemental {
+    padding: 0 ($baseline*2) $baseline ($baseline*2);
+
+    .list-actions-item {
+      @extend %t-copy-sub1;
+      color: $base-font-color;
+      text-align: center;
+    }
+
+    .action {
+      display: block;
+      margin-top: ($baseline/4);
+    }
+  }
+}
+
diff --git a/lms/templates/dashboard.html b/lms/templates/dashboard.html
index 47e2abd810..dfccbe476b 100644
--- a/lms/templates/dashboard.html
+++ b/lms/templates/dashboard.html
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 <%! from django.utils.translation import ugettext as _ %>
+<%! from django.template import RequestContext %>
 
 <%!
   from django.core.urlresolvers import reverse
@@ -82,6 +83,18 @@
              });
     });
 
+    $("#submit-lang").click(function(event, xhr) {
+        event.preventDefault();
+        $.post('/lang_pref/setlang/',
+            {"language": $('#settings-language-value').val()})
+        .done(
+            function(data){
+                // submit form as normal
+                $('.settings-language-form').submit();
+            }
+        );
+    });
+
     $("#change_email_form").submit(function(){
       var new_email = $('#new_email_field').val();
       var new_password = $('#new_email_password').val();
@@ -193,6 +206,10 @@
           </span> <span class="data">${ user.email | h }</span>
         </li>
 
+        %if len(language_options) > 1:
+        <%include file='dashboard/_dashboard_info_language.html' />
+        %endif
+
         % if external_auth_map is None or 'shib' not in external_auth_map.external_domain:
         <li class="controls--account">
           <span class="title"><div class="icon"></div><a href="#password_reset_complete" rel="leanModal" id="pwd_reset_button">${_("Reset Password")}</a></span>
@@ -262,10 +279,21 @@
 
 <section id="email-settings-modal" class="modal" aria-hidden="true">
   <div class="inner-wrapper" role="dialog" aria-labelledby="email-settings-title">
-    <button class="close-modal">&#10005; <span class="sr">${_('Close Modal')}</span></button>
+    <button class="close-modal">&#10005;
+      <span class="sr">
+        ## Translators: this is a control to allow users to exit out of this modal interface (a menu or piece of UI that takes the full focus of the screen)
+        ${_('Close Modal')}
+      </span>
+    </button>
 
     <header>
-      <h2 id="email-settings-title">${_('Email Settings for {course_number}').format(course_number='<span id="email_settings_course_number"></span>')}<span class="sr">, ${_("modal open")}</span></h2>
+      <h2 id="email-settings-title">
+        ${_('Email Settings for {course_number}').format(course_number='<span id="email_settings_course_number"></span>')}
+        <span class="sr">,
+          ## Translators: this text gives status on if the modal interface (a menu or piece of UI that takes the full focus of the screen) is open or not
+          ${_("modal open")}
+        </span>
+      </h2>
       <hr/>
     </header>
 
@@ -283,10 +311,21 @@
 
 <section id="password_reset_complete" class="modal" aria-hidden="true">
   <div class="inner-wrapper" role="dialog" aria-labelledby="password-reset-email">
-    <button class="close-modal">&#10005; <span class="sr">${_('Close Modal')}</span></button>
+    <button class="close-modal">&#10005;
+      <span class="sr">
+        ## Translators: this is a control to allow users to exit out of this modal interface (a menu or piece of UI that takes the full focus of the screen)
+        ${_('Close Modal')}
+      </span>
+    </button>
 
     <header>
-      <h2 id="password-reset-email">${_('Password Reset Email Sent')}<span class="sr">, ${_("modal open")}</span></h2>
+      <h2 id="password-reset-email">
+        ${_('Password Reset Email Sent')}
+        <span class="sr">,
+          ## Translators: this text gives status on if the modal interface (a menu or piece of UI that takes the full focus of the screen) is open or not
+          ${_("modal open")}
+        </span>
+      </h2>
       <hr/>
     </header>
     <div>
@@ -301,10 +340,21 @@
 
 <section id="change_email" class="modal" aria-hidden="true">
   <div class="inner-wrapper" role="dialog" aria-labelledby="change_email_title">
-    <button class="close-modal">&#10005; <span class="sr">${_('Close Modal')}</span></button>
+    <button class="close-modal">&#10005;
+      <span class="sr">
+        ## Translators: this is a control to allow users to exit out of this modal interface (a menu or piece of UI that takes the full focus of the screen)
+        ${_('Close Modal')}
+      </span>
+    </button>
 
     <header>
-      <h2><span id="change_email_title">${_("Change Email")}</span><span class="sr">, ${_("modal open")}</span></h2>
+      <h2>
+        <span id="change_email_title">${_("Change Email")}</span>
+        <span class="sr">,
+          ## Translators: this text gives status on if the modal interface (a menu or piece of UI that takes the full focus of the screen) is open or not
+          ${_("modal open")}
+        </span>
+      </h2>
       <hr/>
     </header>
     <div id="change_email_body">
@@ -329,12 +379,25 @@
   </div>
 </section>
 
+<%include file='modal/_modal-settings-language.html' />
+
 <section id="apply_name_change" class="modal" aria-hidden="true">
   <div class="inner-wrapper" role="dialog" aria-labelledby="change-name-title">
-    <button class="close-modal">&#10005; <span class="sr">${_('Close Modal')}</span></button>
+    <button class="close-modal">&#10005;
+      <span class="sr">
+        ## Translators: this is a control to allow users to exit out of this modal interface (a menu or piece of UI that takes the full focus of the screen)
+        ${_('Close Modal')}
+      </span>
+    </button>
 
     <header>
-      <h2 id="change-name-title">${_("Change your name")}<span class="sr">, ${_("modal open")}</span></h2>
+      <h2 id="change-name-title">
+        ${_("Change your name")}
+        <span class="sr">,
+          ## Translators: this text gives status on if the modal interface (a menu or piece of UI that takes the full focus of the screen) is open or not
+          ${_("modal open")}
+        </span>
+      </h2>
       <hr/>
     </header>
     <div id="change_name_body">
@@ -360,9 +423,21 @@
 
 <section id="unenroll-modal" class="modal unenroll-modal" aria-hidden="true">
   <div class="inner-wrapper" role="alertdialog" aria-labelledy="unenrollment-modal-title">
-    <button class="close-modal">&#10005; <span class="sr">${_('Close Modal')}</span></button>
+    <button class="close-modal">&#10005;
+      <span class="sr">
+        ## Translators: this is a control to allow users to exit out of this modal interface (a menu or piece of UI that takes the full focus of the screen)
+        ${_('Close Modal')}
+      </span>
+    </button>
+
     <header>
-      <h2 id="unenrollment-modal-title">${_('<span id="track-info"></span> {course_number}?  <span id="refund-info"></span>').format(course_number='<span id="unenroll_course_number"></span>')}<span class="sr">, ${_("modal open")}</span></h2>
+      <h2 id="unenrollment-modal-title">
+        ${_('<span id="track-info"></span> {course_number}?  <span id="refund-info"></span>').format(course_number='<span id="unenroll_course_number"></span>')}
+        <span class="sr">,
+          ## Translators: this text gives status on if the modal interface (a menu or piece of UI that takes the full focus of the screen) is open or not
+          ${_("modal open")}
+        </span>
+      </h2>
       <hr/>
     </header>
     <div id="unenroll_error" class="modal-form-error"></div>
diff --git a/lms/templates/dashboard/_dashboard_info_language.html b/lms/templates/dashboard/_dashboard_info_language.html
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..80a6c0220e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lms/templates/dashboard/_dashboard_info_language.html
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+<%! from django.utils.translation import ugettext as _ %>
+
+<%namespace name='static' file='../static_content.html'/>
+
+<li class="status status-language">
+  <span class="title status-title">
+    <i class="icon icon-flag-alt"></i>
+    ${_("Preferred Language")}
+    (<a href="#change_language" rel="leanModal" class="edit-language">${_("edit")}</a>)
+  </span>
+  <span class="data">${current_language}</span>
+</li>
diff --git a/lms/templates/forgot_password_modal.html b/lms/templates/forgot_password_modal.html
index 5c6fc8e9f0..19893b97d7 100644
--- a/lms/templates/forgot_password_modal.html
+++ b/lms/templates/forgot_password_modal.html
@@ -4,7 +4,12 @@
 <%! from django.core.urlresolvers import reverse %>
 <section id="forgot-password-modal" class="modal" role="dialog" aria-label="${_('Password Reset')}">
   <div class="inner-wrapper">
-    <button class="close-modal">&#10005; <span class="sr">${_('Close Modal')}</span></button>
+    <button class="close-modal">&#10005;
+      <span class="sr">
+        ## Translators: this is a control to allow users to exit out of this modal interface (a menu or piece of UI that takes the full focus of the screen)
+        ${_('Close Modal')}
+      </span>
+    </button>
 
     <div id="password-reset">
       <header>
diff --git a/lms/templates/help_modal.html b/lms/templates/help_modal.html
index 8dc7b6ef6c..ad55e67a78 100644
--- a/lms/templates/help_modal.html
+++ b/lms/templates/help_modal.html
@@ -16,7 +16,13 @@
 <section id="help-modal" class="modal" aria-hidden="true" role="dialog" aria-label="${_("{platform_name} Help").format(platform_name=MicrositeConfiguration.get_microsite_configuration_value("platform_name", settings.PLATFORM_NAME))}">
   <div class="inner-wrapper" id="help_wrapper">
     ## TODO: find a way to refactor this
-    <button class="close-modal "tabindex="0">&#10005; <span class="sr">${_('Close Modal')}</span></button>
+    <button class="close-modal "tabindex="0">
+      &#10005;
+      <span class="sr">
+        ## Translators: this is a control to allow users to exit out of this modal interface (a menu or piece of UI that takes the full focus of the screen)
+        ${_('Close Modal')}
+      </span>
+    </button>
 
     <header>
       <h2>${_('{span_start}{platform_name}{span_end} Help').format(span_start='<span class="edx">', span_end='</span>', platform_name=MicrositeConfiguration.get_microsite_configuration_value('platform_name', settings.PLATFORM_NAME))}</h2>
@@ -54,7 +60,13 @@ discussion_link = get_discussion_link(course) if course else None
   </div>
 
   <div class="inner-wrapper" id="feedback_form_wrapper">
-    <button class="close-modal">&#10005; <span class="sr">${_('Close Modal')}</span></button>
+    <button class="close-modal">
+      &#10005;
+      <span class="sr">
+        ## Translators: this is a control to allow users to exit out of this modal interface (a menu or piece of UI that takes the full focus of the screen)
+        ${_('Close Modal')}
+      </span>
+    </button>
 
     <header></header>
 
@@ -82,7 +94,13 @@ discussion_link = get_discussion_link(course) if course else None
   </div>
 
   <div class="inner-wrapper" id="feedback_success_wrapper" tabindex="0">
-    <button class="close-modal "tabindex="0">&#10005; <span class="sr">${_('Close Modal')}</span></button>
+    <button class="close-modal" tabindex="0">
+      &#10005;
+      <span class="sr">
+        ## Translators: this is a control to allow users to exit out of this modal interface (a menu or piece of UI that takes the full focus of the screen)
+        ${_('Close Modal')}
+      </span>
+    </button>
 
     <header>
       <h2>${_('Thank You!')}</h2>
diff --git a/lms/templates/login_modal.html b/lms/templates/login_modal.html
index fb425a11c3..9cacaff51c 100644
--- a/lms/templates/login_modal.html
+++ b/lms/templates/login_modal.html
@@ -5,7 +5,12 @@
 
 <section id="login-modal" class="modal login-modal">
   <div class="inner-wrapper">
-    <button class="close-modal">&#10005; <span class="sr">${_('Close Modal')}</span></button>
+      <button class="close-modal">&#10005;
+        <span class="sr">
+          ## Translators: this is a control to allow users to exit out of this modal interface (a menu or piece of UI that takes the full focus of the screen)
+          ${_('Close Modal')}
+      </span>
+    </button>
 
     <header>
       <h2>${_("Log In")}</h2>
diff --git a/lms/templates/modal/_modal-settings-language.html b/lms/templates/modal/_modal-settings-language.html
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..5c0be2e11c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lms/templates/modal/_modal-settings-language.html
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+<%! from django.utils.translation import ugettext as _ %>
+<%!
+  from django.core.urlresolvers import reverse
+%>
+
+<%namespace name='static' file='../static_content.html'/>
+
+<section id="change_language" class="modal modal-settings-language" aria-hidden="true">
+  <div class="inner-wrapper" role="dialog" aria-labelledby="change_language_title">
+    <button class="close-modal">&#10005;
+      <span class="sr">
+        ## Translators: this is a control to allow users to exit out of this modal interface (a menu or piece of UI that takes the full focus of the screen)
+        ${_('Close Modal')}
+      </span>
+    </button>
+
+    <header>
+      <h2>
+        <span id="change_language_title">${_("Change Preferred Language")}</span>
+        <span class="sr">,
+          ## Translators: this text gives status on if the modal interface (a menu or piece of UI that takes the full focus of the screen) is open or not
+          ${_("modal open")}
+        </span>
+      </h2>
+      <hr/>
+    </header>
+    <div id="change_language_body">
+      <form action="/i18n/setlang/" method="post" class="settings-language-form" id="settings-form">
+      <input type="hidden" name="csrfmiddlewaretoken" value="${csrf_token}">
+        <ol class="list-input">
+          <li class="field text settings-language-select" id="settings-language-select">
+            <label class="label sr" for="settings-language-value">${_("Please choose your preferred language")}</label>
+            <select class="input select" id="settings-language-value" name="language">
+            % for abbrv in language_options:
+              % for language in settings.LANGUAGES:
+                % if abbrv == language[0]:
+                  % if abbrv == current_language_code:
+                    <option value="${language[0]}" selected="selected">${language[1]}</option>
+                  % else:
+                    <option value="${language[0]}">${language[1]}</option>
+                  % endif
+                % endif
+              % endfor
+            % endfor
+            </select>
+          </li>
+        </ol>
+
+        <div class="submit">
+          <input type="submit" id="submit-lang" value="${_('Save Language Settings')}" />
+        </div>
+      </form>
+
+      <ul class="list list-actions actions-supplemental">
+        <li class="list-actions-item">
+        ${_("Don't see your preferred language? {link_start}Volunteer to become a translator!{link_end}").format(link_start='<a class=" action action-volunteer" rel="external" target="_blank" href="https://github.com/edx/edx-platform/blob/master/docs/en_us/developers/source/i18n_translators_guide.rst">', link_end="</a>")}
+        </li>
+      </ul>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</section>
diff --git a/lms/templates/signup_modal.html b/lms/templates/signup_modal.html
index f80c700c7c..143e2e49d5 100644
--- a/lms/templates/signup_modal.html
+++ b/lms/templates/signup_modal.html
@@ -10,7 +10,12 @@
 
 <section id="signup-modal" class="modal signup-modal">
   <div class="inner-wrapper">
-    <button class="close-modal">&#10005; <span class="sr">${_('Close Modal')}</span></button>
+    <button class="close-modal">&#10005;
+      <span class="sr">
+        ## Translators: this is a control to allow users to exit out of this modal interface (a menu or piece of UI that takes the full focus of the screen)
+        ${_('Close Modal')}
+      </span>
+    </button>
 
     <div id="register">
       <header>
diff --git a/lms/urls.py b/lms/urls.py
index c4920ba0e2..634aec78c3 100644
--- a/lms/urls.py
+++ b/lms/urls.py
@@ -61,7 +61,11 @@ urlpatterns = ('',  # nopep8
 
     url(r'^user_api/', include('user_api.urls')),
 
+    url(r'^lang_pref/', include('lang_pref.urls')),
+
     url(r'^', include('waffle.urls')),
+
+    url(r'^i18n/', include('django.conf.urls.i18n')),
 )
 
 # if settings.FEATURES.get("MULTIPLE_ENROLLMENT_ROLES"):
diff --git a/rakelib/bok_choy.rake b/rakelib/bok_choy.rake
index 35bf7335ff..c2809dcd68 100644
--- a/rakelib/bok_choy.rake
+++ b/rakelib/bok_choy.rake
@@ -195,7 +195,7 @@ namespace :'test:bok_choy' do
         # Clear any test data already in Mongo or MySQL and invalidate the cache
         clear_mongo()
         BOK_CHOY_CACHE.flush()
-        sh(django_admin('lms', 'bok_choy', 'flush', '--noinput'))
+        sh(django_admin('lms', 'bok_choy', 'loaddata', 'common/test/db_fixtures/*.json'))
 
         # Ensure the test servers are available
         puts "Starting test servers...".green