Advocacy with ACTFL
Take advantage of the resources ACTFL offers through the Lead with Languages campaign! Lead with Languages provides information on languages and careers, testimonials, and many other resources to inform language advocacy efforts.
Additionally, visit ACTFL’s “Take Action!” page to learn about current legislation and other language issues at the federal level. Use the page to quickly send a pre-written message to your U.S. Senators and Representatives and sign up to receive ACTFL advocacy updates.
JNCL-NCLIS
For the latest information regarding foreign language legislation, visit the Joint National Committee for Languages (JNCL) and the National Council for Languages and International Studies (NCLIS) website. Follow JNCL on social media and sign up for their e-newsletter!
Congress
Contact the Congress of the United States of America and share your opinions about the importance of foreign language acquisition.
Learn more about House of Representatives and Senate Members. Please let legislators know the wonderful things that are happening in foreign language in your school and district. Invite your legislators to see learning in action in your classroom.
The League of Women Voters provides this website for easy access in locating your representatives.
International Learning
Visit the International Education Week (IEW) website. The site contains promotional materials, an interactive quiz, and opportunities to post and view planned events around the world.
SCOLT’s Maurice Cherry, former Dimension editor and contributor, appeared in the June 3, 2006 edition of the New York Times. For Maurice’s comments on successful spelling bee champions, read the article, It Helps to Know a Lot More Than Basic E-N-G-L-I-S-H.
Building the Advocacy Picture K-12
What do you know about your own school and school district that you can share as information whether you are thanking a legislator for pro language support, asking for support, opposing legislation, or giving information? The following questions to be answered by you will help you have the information at your fingertips when you need it.
- How many students take a language by grade (elementary) or level (middle/high)?
- How many students continue beyond second year language study?
- How many take AP language or literature courses and what scores have they achieved.
- How many are involved in language study through the IB Program? And what are their success rates?
- Are there any other measures of successful language achievement?
- What languages are offered?
- How many students pursue foreign language study after high school?
- Do you know of any former students who are using their language skills at work? Where? How?
- Have you or your colleagues entered process to obtain the National Certification for Teachers of World Languages Other Than English?
- Have your classes (or language clubs) participated in an outreach program in which they had to utilize their language skills?
Twitter feed
The Language Connects Foundation congratulates the five Regional Language Teachers of the Year! Learn more about each of these amazing educators at: https://bit.ly/3Ur2cDm @cslang4all @_SCOLT_ @swcoltorg @pncfl1949 @NECTFL
We had a blast in March at SCOLT 2024 in Atlanta. Thank you, everyone, for making it a success.
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