CALPER's list of websites, articles, information on brochures that help language educators to prepare for advocating world language programs. Write to us and suggest a link to other advocacy pages.
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- Building a Program
List of 8 important steps when building a language program. The page is part of the Ñandutí - Foreign Language Learning PreK-8 - Web site. Updated 2006
- Engaging the World. U.S. Global Competence for the 21st Century
The American Council on Education and Coalition for International Education launched a new web site, which highlights the urgent need for international and foreign language education to become part of the core mission of the U.S. education system from K-12 through graduate school. It was created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of HEA-Title VI and Fulbright-Hays with the generous support of the Carnegie Corporation of New York.
The site features two videos and 13 additional brief interviews with Title VI/Fulbright-Hays beneficiaries who are currently employing their knowledge and expertise both at home and abroad. The experts interviewed work in business, diplomacy and international peace, economic and healthcare development, education, and military security and peacekeeping. All videos are viewable online and downloadable.
- Improving Students' Capacity in Foreign Languages
A piece on why Americans should study foreign languages by Myriam Met (Acting director of the National Foreign Language Center, University of Maryland, College Park).
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Knowing Other Languages Brings Opportunities
Published by the Modern Language Association, this brochure discusses how learning an additional language can improve standardized test scores, enhance job and career prospects, and contribute to cross-cultural understanding. It lists the twelve foreign languages that are most likely to be taught at schools and universities in the US. Suggestions on when to start and how to keep up with learning a foreign language are also offered.
- Language Advocacy: Making Your Voice Count
15-minute video presentation from the JNCL-NCLIS (created by Vanessa Fontana).
- Promoting a Language Proficient Society: What You Can Do
A Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) digest, the article gives information on what parents, teachers, school administrators, policy makes, and the business community can do to to support foreign language study in the US. It also provides further resources for language advocacy and a directory of resources for foreign language programs in general.
- Rationale For Foreign Language Education.
A Position Paper (NCSSFL)
This is a position statement from the National Council of State Supervisors (NCSSFL) for Language endorsing the inclusion of foreign language education in the school curriculum for all students. It elaborates on the cognitive, academic, and societal benefits of learning a foreign language.
- Workshop For Those Who Don't Know Their Own Power . . .
The advocacy website of the Joint National Committee for Languages and the National Council for Languages and International Studies (JNCL-NCLIS) presents specific information on how to lead a public advocacy workshop (handouts and additional information also provided), and on how to conduct letter-writing campaigns for language educators.
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Web Sites from State Associations
- Alliance for Language Learning (North Carolina)
The advocacy section of Alliance for Language Learning gives websites of both governmental and non-governmental organizations that provide advocacy resources. It also offers press releases of the North Carolina Board of Education and updates from the National Security Language Initiative (NSLI) that are relevant to language advocacy.
- California Language Teachers Association (CLTA)
This website presents information on topics such as how to organize activities to celebrate the National Foreign Language Week, why it is important to learn foreign languages, and how to publicize language advocacy events. A sample press release and a sample letter supporting content standards for foreign language education are also provided.
- Foreign Language Association of Georgia (FLAG)
FLAG offers PDF files that constitute a tool kit, which language advocates can draw on when giving presentations to parents and community members about the importance of learning a foreign language. The PDF files include presentation guidelines, presentation materials, handouts, and survey questions. A list of useful advocacy website is also provided.
- Glastonbury Foreign Language (Connecticut)
The Glastonbury School District is unique in that its students have studied at least one foreign language beginning with elementary school. Initiated in the 1950s, this program was maintained throughout the different changes in foreign language learning standards in the US. Their website includes links to foreign language advocacy websites as well as to several articles discussing the importance of studying foreign languages from an early age.
- New York State Association of Foreign Language Teachers (NYSAFLT)
The NYSAFLT website contains video, audio, and textual materials that introduce the organization, promote the studying of foreign languages, and help one to become a better language teacher and language advocate. In addition, it provides links to legislative bills relevant to foreign language advocacy. Readers are encouraged to join the organization to benefit from a full range of materials that NYSAFLT has to offer.
- Pennsylvania State Modern Language Association (PSMLA)
PSMLA gives information on the PA Department of Education Standards on foreign language education, on what PSMLA is doing, and what foreign language teachers can do regarding the standards. In addition, the website offers general information on foreign language advocacy and has a section featuring recent meetings and state-level decisions regarding foreign language advocacy.
- Southern Conference on Language Teaching (SCOLT)
In addition to general language advocacy information, SCOLT offers a questionnaire that can help teachers think about and articulate the importance of teaching world languages. The website has a link to an advocacy guide published by the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
- Tennessee Foreign Language Teaching Association (TFLTA)
List of reasons for studying a Foreign Language in Tennessee by Robert D. Peckham, Ph.D., director of TFLTA
- Texas Foreign Language Association (TFLA)
Advocacy website for the advancement of languages other than English
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Web Sites Advocating for a Specific Language
- All about the Arabic Language
From the American Association of Teachers of Arabic (AATA). The article traces the history of the Arabic language, explains why it is important to study it, and discusses the differences between the colloquial and standard forms, the alphabet, and the custom of greetings.
- AATF Commission on Advocacy
From the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF). A very comprehensive website which offers numerous links grouped under a wide range of topics, ranging from advocacy for French language and culture, Francophone organizations, investment, to business support.
- The French Language Initiative
The French Language Initiative is focused on promoting the study of French language and French-speaking cultures and increasing the number of students enrolling in French programs nationwide. It is a partnership between the Embassy of France in the U.S. and the American Association of Teachers of French.
- Japan Foundation (Los Angeles)
The Japan Foundation has an advocacy flyer and a list of publications designed to advocate Japanese language education to both administrators and parents in elementary schools.
- Pro-Deutsch! Promoting Your German Program
From the Goethe Institute. Extensive advocacy binder for teachers of German in the U.S. Second revised edition, 2007, 200-some pages of various types of materials (data, arguments, activities, resource links, etc.)
- Ten Reasons to Learn German
Short web page by the Goethe Institute listing 10 reasons to learn German.
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Advocacy Programs
- Ohio State's Go Local Go Global (GOAL) is a set of events organized by the Foreign Language Center in conjunction with OSU's language departments. The Language Center brings in celebrities who are native speakers of languages taught at OSU in order to provide the opportunity for students to practice their language skills in an informal setting.
- Language in Motion at Juniata College, Pennsylvania, is an innovative, cooperative, outreach program using study-abroad returnees, international students, and upper-level language students to aid local, rural, K-12 teachers by creating and presenting language and cultural activities in their classrooms.
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