Happy Summer!  Whether you are teaching summer school, traveling with students, taking classes, or finding time to relax and enjoy time with family and friends, it is surely a little diversion from your busy routine during the academic year.  However, we  know that your teacher brain is always thinking of plans and good intentions for […]

The Leadership Initiative for Language Learning (LILL) provided world language teachers with 6 Core Practices in 2015 and though some of the practices are not new to teachers, they do take some planning and effort to incorporate in teaching. For some teachers, the most challenging Core Practice to incorporate into their repertoire is using authentic […]

This month we have great news to share! On March 3, ACTFL launched its national language proficiency awareness and advocacy campaign and website, Lead with Languages. This multi-year campaign aims to build awareness about the increased demand for language skills and supports the growth of learners who are competent in other languages and cultures. Check out its website, […]

As we observe our students in the classroom setting, we look for them to be engaged in learning, not just “busy,” nor “on task.” We want them intellectually active in the target language with challenging content in a real world context. While attending my most recent district professional development day, the following explanation adapted from […]

#WAFLTwiWord is a monthly Instagram challenge inspired by Spanish educators Adelaida Martín Bosque and Pilar Munday, who created a similar challenge in 2014, #instagramELE. Each month there will be a word or a phrase relating to global languages and cultures posted by the WAFLT 21st Century Communications Committee to hashtag in posts by you and/or […]

Feedback is one of the most powerful influences on learning and achievement, but this impact can vary, dependent on when and how it is used . Evidence shows that although feedback is among the major influences, the type of feedback and the way it is given can be differentially effective. Dr. John Hattie, world renowned […]

“I overheard my daughter talking with her friends in German.” “A person came through the line when I was bagging groceries and didn’t understand the checker. I was able to help her because I spoke Spanish!” “My granddaughter showed me how she can write in Chinese!” Our students can be our best public relations advocates […]

Paving The Road To Proficiency: Empowering 21st century learners to develop their cultural understandings, cross-curricular literacy, and communication Radisson Paper Valley Hotel, Appleton, Wisconsin November 3- 5, 2016 Register Today!!

Nowadays, it is pretty common that technology plays an important role in the world language classroom. Our guiding resource ACTFL offers a position statement regarding the use of technology. “ACTFL acknowledges and encourages using the potential of technology as a tool to support and enhance classroom-based language instruction.” At the same time, ACTFL “recognizes the […]

If you have not visited your Senators or Representative, the process can seem a little daunting. How do I set up the meeting? Will they listen to me? How do I translate one visit into a relationship that can further serve language education? Still, when I am in Washington, D.C. working with the Joint National […]