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The NCDPI World Languages Team is excited about implementing the new North Carolina Standard Course of Study for World Languages in all K-12 classrooms. Please take a look at the upcoming professional development (PD) offerings, as well as opportunities, for World Language educators that are included in this month's World Languages Newsletter.
This edition features the following:
- Professional Development for World Languages
- Power of Proficiency Webinar Series with two asynchronous options
- All Things Immersion Professional Learning Series with new Spring 2026 information
- ACTFL Discover Digital Micro-Learning Series
- NCDPI 2026 Summer Conference Dates
- K-12 Education Opportunities for Educators & Students
- NC K-12 Math Standards Draft 1 Survey
- NC Division of Aging Future Self PreK-12 Arts Contest
- Opportunities for World Language Educators & Students
- SCOLT Scholarships & Awards
- ACTFL 2026 Call for Proposals
- Villa Albertine Call for K-12 Grant Proposals
- French as a World Language Programs
- French Dual Language and Immersion Programs
- French Heritage Language Programs
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Professional Development for World Languages
Power of Proficiency Webinar Series
The 2025 - 2026 World Languages Webinar Series, the Power of Proficiency, is your opportunity to take a deep dive into the updated, proficiency-based Standard Course of Study (SCoS) for World Languages.
The third broadcast, Power of Proficiency in Interpersonal Communication, is on Wednesday, February 11, at 3:45 - 5:15 pm. The archived materials from the first two broadcasts, Overview of Proficiency in the State Standards and Power of Proficiency in Interpretive Communication, are now available for local use, including the recording and slides. These materials are posted in the Standards Implementation area under Professional Learning on the World Languages Resources Hub, along with two asynchronous options for those who weren't able to participate in the live webinars this fall but still want to earn credit and make progress towards completing the badge.
Please click on the flyer below or go to go.ncdpi.gov/WLwebinars25-26 to register for upcoming webinars or to access the asynchronous option for the past webinars.
 All Things Immersion Professional Learning Series
The Southern Atlantic Language Collaborative (SALC) is providing the 2025–2026 All Things Immersion professional learning series, with two targeted strands throughout the year: one for administrators and program leaders, and one for dual language/immersion (DL/I) teachers.
The leadership strand, hosted by the Virginia Department of Education, is held at 10:00 am on the third Tuesday of each month throughout the school year, except November. These monthly sessions are focused on leadership topics, updates, and implementation support. Each session will include a featured topic and time for open discussion, and here are the topics and dates scheduled for 2025 - 2026 so far, including several led by North Carolina DL/I educators:
- December 16: From K–12 to College Credit: Designing Immersion Continuation Programs with Purpose
- January 20: Supporting the Global Educator: Research-Based Professional Development for International Dual Language Teachers
- February 17: Leading for Literacy: Planning for Biliteracy Development in Both One-way and Two-way Dual Language Programs
- April 21: Leading for the Long Term: Navigating and Sustaining Immersion through Challenges and Change
The instructional strand is hosted by our SALC partner at the South Carolina Department of Education and will be held on the last Tuesday of each month at 4:30 pm, except in December. Here are the upcoming topics with their broadcast dates, including the new schedule for Spring 2026:
- December 16: Literacy Strategies: Reading and Writing in the Target Language
- January 27: Stronger Together: Working with Diverse Cultures
- February 24: Making Languages Come Alive: High-Engagement Strategies for K-5 DLI Classrooms
- March 31: Cultural Exchange in the DLI Middle School Classroom
- April 28: Strengthening Immersion Communities: A Framework for Family Outreach and Connections with AI Tools
To register, click on the appropriate link below:
ACTFL Discover Digital Micro-Learning Series
The ACTFL Discover program is designed to support world language educators by offering flexible digital micro-learning courses, providing the tools needed to make a real impact in the classroom. Each micro-course includes a 30-minute facilitator-led recorded session, along with additional resources such as external reading materials and ready-to-use activities, ensuring a comprehensive and engaging learning experience. These self-guided materials are designed to be available anytime, anywhere for professional growth.
Currently, there are six micro-learning courses available:
- Acquiring Language through Mindfulness, Brain Breaks, and Purposeful Play
- Equitable Grading: From Punitive System to Rewarding Growth
- How to Leverage AI to Create a Lesson Plan
- Independent Learning Strategies
- Making AI Work for Language Teachers
- Three Essential Steps to Integrating Culture and Intercultural Communication
Please go to the ACTFL Discover page for details about each course, along with registration information.
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NCDPI 2026 Summer Conference Dates
Be sure to mark your calendars for this summer's combined NCDPI Office of Teaching & Learning Conferences: Growing Success for Multilingual Learners (MLs) and The Standards Academy. As in past years, there will be both in-person and virtual options. More details will be coming soon, and you are always welcome to review the archived NCDPI World Language sessions (listed below) from 2025 that are posted on the Standards Implementation page in the World Languages Resources Hub.
- Empowering MLs in Honors World Language Courses
- Implementing the World Language Standards in K-12 Classrooms
- Offering Honors Level I and II World Language Courses
 Looking for additional PD options?
Please see FLANC's K-20 Professional Development page for details about conferences, courses, events, webinars, etc. available from various organizations that serve many World Languages and/or types of programs. FLANC's PD page is continuously updated and, as you scroll through the list, you will find offerings available in the coming weeks and months.
K-12 Education Opportunities for Educators & Students
NC K-12 Math Standards Draft 1 Survey
Submit by December 17
The NCDPI K-12 Math team has announced the release of the first draft of proposed revisions to the K-12 Math Standard Course of Study. North Carolina State Board of Education policy specifies that the NC Department of Public Instruction will formally collect feedback on the proposed draft standards from educators, administrators, parents, students, institutions of higher education, business/industry representatives, national organizations, and other education agencies.
The purpose of this survey is to obtain input from all stakeholders regarding the proposed K-12 Math Standards and to inform any additional revisions, which may include changes, clarifications, additions, deletions, or replacements to the draft standards.
This process began with a review phase, which was conducted throughout the 2024-2025 school year. The review phase included gathering relevant research and analyzing data obtained through surveys, interviews, and focus groups. The data obtained was analyzed by the K-12 Math Standards Data Review Committee (DRC). The DRC completed a formal report summarizing the data, trends within the feedback, and any resulting recommendations. The report was provided to the Standards Writing Team (SWT) as the basis for starting the revision process.
This first draft of the proposed K-12 Math Standards is based on the analysis in the DRC Report. The K-12 Math team requests your thoughtful input and comments on Draft 1 of the proposed K-12 Math academic standards. To help in reviewing the draft standards, the K-12 Math team is sharing several resources to provide additional background information. These include:
You can choose as many grades and courses as you would like to provide feedback on in the K-12 Math Standards All-Stakeholder Review Survey, which is open until 5:00 pm EST on Wednesday, December 17, 2025.
Thank you! Your feedback is extremely valuable to the K-12 Math Standards revision process.
NC Division of Aging Future Self PreK-12 Arts Contest
Submit by February 23
The NC Division of Aging is excited to officially launch the Pre-K through 12th Grade Future Self Contest, inviting students across North Carolina to imagine and celebrate their “future selves” while reflecting on what it means to live in an age-inclusive society. View the one-pager for an overview of the contest or click on the visual in this article.
The contest is open to all students in the following grade groupings:
Students are encouraged to submit creative entries in any format, poetry, photography, visual art, dance, skits, music, or multimedia projects, to express their vision of a society that celebrates, respects, and includes people of all ages. This flexibility ensures students’ voices and creativity can shine while expressing how they envision a society that respects, celebrates, and includes people of all ages.
Themes and Reflection Prompts
Students can explore topics such as:
- What respect for older adults looks like in daily life
- How ageism shows up and how it can be challenged
- Stories or moments of intergenerational connection or teamwork
- Admiration or appreciation for older adults in their lives
- Common myths or stereotypes about aging and ways to break them
- How their creative work can inspire others to think differently about aging
- How celebrating older adults benefits their communities
- Actions they would like to see to create a more age-friendly world
The focus of the contest is to capture the positive aspects of aging and what an age-inclusive society feels like, inviting students’ voices to inspire change and challenge stereotypes.
Submission and Recognition
Entries should be submitted via JotForm by Monday, February 23, 2026.
- All entries will be reviewed in March 2026.
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Every participant will receive a certificate of participation.
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Winning entries will be featured on the Division of Aging website and highlighted at the Year One All Ages, All Stages Celebration, alongside campaign initiatives statewide.
- Winners will also receive a gift bag with incentives from the Division of Aging.
Questions about submissions can be directed to aaasnc@dhhs.nc.gov.
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Opportunities for World Language Educators & Students
SCOLT Scholarships & Awards
The Southern Conference on Language Teaching (SCOLT) Board is excited to announce that there are multiple student scholarships available this year, as well as travel scholarships for teachers.
Two Future Language Educator scholarships are available for high school seniors who want to pursue a career in language education, and there is also a scholarship for a current college/university world language education student. The Board is grateful to Ken Stewart and to Vista Higher Learning for sponsorship of these opportunities, and applications can be submitted for any of the three scholarships using this form by January 31, 2026.
There are also travel scholarships available to French, German, and Spanish teachers. These are for summer travel and study opportunities. Please see the link above for details about each summer opportunity. Applications can be submitted for the travel scholarships by January 15, 2026.
The SCOLT Awards Committee is now accepting award nominations through January 15! Consider nominating a colleague for the K-12 Leadership Award or Post-Secondary Educator of Excellence Award. Be sure colleagues who are new to language teaching are aware of the Bostick Award!
SCOLT Award nomination forms are posted on the SCOLT Awards & Scholarships page, along with more information about the various awards and scholarships.
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ACTFL 2026 Call for Proposals
The 2026 ACTFL Annual Convention & World Languages Expo will be held November 20 - 22, 2026, at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas.
The ACTFL Convention is an international event bringing together over 6,000 attendees featuring educational content covering a wide spectrum of the language profession. The goal of the Convention is to provide a comprehensive professional development experience for language educators of all languages and levels. Compelling proposals address the needs of today’s learners and educators by focusing on innovative programs, emerging trends, and research-informed practices.
Please go to ACTFL's 2026 Call for Proposals page for details, including a video on the process, a document with guidelines and information on proposal review and selection, and the online form for submitting by Monday, January 19, 2026 at 11:59 pm Eastern.
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Villa Albertine Call for K-12 Grant Proposals
Villa Albertine, the French Institute for Culture and Education, is a division of the French Embassy in the United States that works to ensure broad access to French language programs in close collaboration with educational organizations, school districts, and local education agencies.
These efforts are part of a broader commitment to promoting French language learning at all levels, providing learners and educators from various backgrounds the opportunity to engage with French language and cultures, enrich their educational experiences, and strengthen bilateral relations between French and American communities.
Villa Albertine has launched three calls for projects, which are described below. Grant applications are due by Monday, January 19, 2026, and additional details are posted on Villa Albertine's Call for Proposals: 2025 - 2026 K-12 Education page.
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K-12 French as a World Language Program
The French as a World Language Program (FWLP) supports French language education in U.S. public schools through funding and frameworks that facilitate language learning and cultural exchange projects. By providing essential resources, the FWLP ensures that students across the country have access to enriched academic pathways and develop global competencies necessary for thriving in a multilingual world. FWLP supports three initiatives, including pedagogical project grants, cultural activities, and professional learning opportunities.
K-12 Dual Language and Immersion Program
The French Dual Language Fund (FDLF) supports the existing and growing network of French bilingual schools through the creation of initiatives and allocation of grants to support pedagogical and cultural objectives; encourage cultural exchange through the French Teaching Intern program and grant; and implement professional learning opportunities.
K-12 French Heritage Language Program
The French Heritage Language Program supports K-12 schools, districts, and nonprofit organizations in fostering the linguistic and cultural heritage of speakers of French as a heritage language. Through tailored French courses and cultural projects, FHLP empowers learners to strengthen their bilingualism, celebrate their heritage, and connect with global Francophone communities.
Wanting to find more opportunities for World Language educators?
Please see FLANC's K-20 Opportunities for Students and Educators page for details about awards, calls for proposals, grants, scholarships, etc. from various groups that support World Language educators, students, programs, and organizations. FLANC's Opportunities page is continuously updated in chronological order by due date, and you can scroll through the list to see what's available.
Connect with NCDPI World Languages
Dr. Ann Marie Gunter, K-12 World Languages Consultant
Find a date and time to meet using the online scheduler: go.ncdpi.gov/ConnectWL
Dates are available through December 19 and after the holiday break starting on January 5
Go to the World Languages Resources Hub: go.ncdpi.gov/WLresources
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