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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
- NCDPI Power of Proficiency Webinar Series
- NCDPI World Language Standards Implementation Regional Workshops
- SALC All Things Immersion Professional Learning Series
- UNC Charlotte's Heritage Language Learning Symposium Online
- NCVPS Digital Transition Webinar Series
- SCOLT/FLANC/SCFLTA/SEALLT Annual Conference
- Opportunities for K-12 Educators
- NCDPI 2026 Summer Conference Call for Proposals
- NCDPI 11 Principles of Character Education
- Opportunities for World Language Educators
- CARLA Priority Teacher Professional Development Scholarship Applications
- FLANC Teacher of the Year Nominations (K-12 and Higher Education)
- FLANC Fall Conference Call for Proposals
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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.
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The third broadcast, Power of Proficiency in Interpersonal Communication, is next Wednesday, February 11, at 3:45 - 5:15 pm. Feel free to register using this form. 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 in the fall but still want to earn credit and make progress towards completing the badge.
Please click on the flyer in this article or go to go.ncdpi.gov/WLwebinars25-26 to register for upcoming webinars or to access asynchronous options for past webinars.
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NCDPI World Language Standards Implementation Regional Workshops
The NCDPI World Languages team will be offering a series of free professional development workshops across the state in late February and throughout March. Each regional workshop will introduce the newest support tools for the 2024 K-12 Standard Course of Study (SCoS) for World Languages, and include an opportunity to plan and network with other educators on implementation topics for classrooms, programs, schools, and districts.
In the morning, participants will explore the most recently released support tools for the SCoS for World Languages, like the Navigators and Parent/Caregiver Guide, that are available for all programs and/or customized for the classical, heritage, and/or modern languages that they teach. They will also spend time on the updated World Language policy information with the Global Language Endorsement (GLE), North Carolina’s Seal of Biliteracy and the option to offer Levels I and II as standard or honors courses.
In the afternoon, participants will work together in small group sessions on various topics so that they can plan and/or network with colleagues in the region. The sessions or “carousel” of topics in each region will be based on the registration form requests and/or local needs such as:
The wrap-up will feature an overview of the upcoming professional development available for the SCoS for World Languages as we continue implementation.
Please click on the map below or go to the registration form at go.ncdpi.gov/WLworkshops26 to choose the date and/or location that you would prefer.
Notes:
- This registration form will allow participants to indicate whether they are signing up for the 6-hour option with both sessions or one of the 3-hour sessions (morning or afternoon) depending on their needs.
- There is ample space at each location for any World Language educators who want to participate, including teachers, instructional coaches, department heads, curriculum coordinators, or other administrators. Public School Units (PSUs), or districts and charter schools, are welcome to send one or more participants, but each individual must submit a registration form indicating which region and PSU they are from, regardless of the workshop location and date they choose.
 SALC 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: 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. 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 upcoming topics and dates, including several led by North Carolina DL/I educators:
- 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. Here are the upcoming topics with their broadcast dates:
- 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:
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UNC Charlotte's Heritage Language Learning Symposium Online
UNC Charlotte’s Department of Languages, Cultures and Translation is pleased to present the 2026 Heritage Language Learning Symposium on February 19 - 20, 2026.
 The symposium offers participants expert presentations on current research in heritage language learning and practical tools to teach heritage speakers. This year's symposium will feature five prominent scholars engaged in the field of Heritage Language Education. The presenters will share their research and practical experience with UNC Charlotte faculty, graduate and undergraduate students, K-12 educators, and attendees from other institutions.
The 2026 Heritage Language Learning Symposium will focus on promoting a broad understanding of literacy practices and training for heritage speakers by bringing together experts in the fields of bilingual education in Arabic, Chinese, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish.The symposium will hold research presentations and workshops where attendees will have the opportunity to interact with and learn from the invited experts.
All activities will be via Zoom. There is no cost to attend the symposium, but attendees must register in advance. The deadline for registration is February 15, 2026.
Please contact the following Symposium organizers if you have any questions:
NCVPS Digital Transition Webinar Series
 The NCVPS Digital Transition Webinar Series shares best practices for supporting students (and teachers) in online/blended learning environments. Participants leave with a toolkit of valuable resources, tips, and strategies, plus they can earn a CEU certificate once they complete each webinar’s exit survey.
In February, World Language educators will be leading these webinars:
Please click on the webinar titles above to register for the broadcasts or go to the NCVPS Digital Transition Webinars for Educators page for more details.
SCOLT/FLANC/SCFLTA/SEALLT Annual Conference
Join the Southern Conference on Language Teaching (SCOLT) in Raleigh on March 19 - 21 for SCOLT 2026! There will be an impressive array of sessions, workshops, and presenters, including sessions and workshops for dual language/immersion (DL/I).
Don't miss this opportunity for in-person professional development, as well as fun with colleagues from near and far! Hear from and meet the ACTFL Teacher of the Year, SCOLT region state Teachers of the Year, and “Best of” presenters from the state organizations across the Southeast, including Fostering Language Acquisition in North Carolina (FLANC), South Carolina Fellowship of Language Teachers and Advocates (SCFLTA), and the Southeast Association for Language Learning Technology (SEALLT), plus others.
There are also pre-conference workshops available, including Chinese and Spanish DL/I program site visits in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, Chatham County Schools, and Wake County Public School System.
See information about the conference, workshops descriptions, and the hotel reservation link on the SCOLT 2026 webpage. Early-bird registration ends March 1, and after that date attendees will need to register on-site at the conference.
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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.
Opportunities for K-12 Educators
NCDPI 2026 Summer Conference Call for Proposals
NCDPI's 2026 Growing Success for Multilingual Learners Summer Conference theme is Leading Together for MLs: Collaboration, Commitment, and Community. The NCDPI Multilingual Learner (ML)/Title III Team is seeking proposals from educators who are enthusiastic about sharing effective, research-based instructional and administrative practices that support multilingual learners across North Carolina.
The call for proposals is open to all K – 20 educators, regardless of content area. We welcome submissions from classroom teachers, administrators, instructional coaches, specialists, and community partners. Proposals may include, but are not limited to, the following strands:
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Achieving Educational Excellence: Connections to the North Carolina Strategic Plan
- Advocacy for MLs within the School System
- Assessment and Data
- Dual Language/Immersion
- Family and Community Engagement
- Harnessing AI to Support Language Acquisition
- Improving Language and Literacy Instruction for MLs
- Instructional Collaboration
- ML Leadership
- Newcomers and Specialized Populations
Anyone interested in presenting at the conference, please submit the call for proposals form by March 1, 2026, which can also be accessed by clicking on the Save the Date flyer in this article.
Questions can be sent to susan.walz@dpi.nc.gov. We truly appreciate your willingness to share your expertise with colleagues across the state and look forward to your participation!
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NCDPI 11 Principles of Character Education
Building School Cultures Where Every Student Thrives
Join NCDPI for a full-day, interactive professional development session on Wednesday, March 25 from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm designed to help schools learn how to use the 11 Principles to create a culture of character in their classrooms, schools, and districts. This session will introduce a wide range of approaches, strategies, and practices that school leaders can implement immediately to transform their school climate and culture. Whether your school is beginning its journey or seeking to deepen its implementation, this workshop will provide:
- A clear overview of each principle
- Examples from NC Schools of Character
- Practical strategies for improving school culture
- Tools for assessing progress and gathering evidence
- Support for completing the School of Character Application
See the flyer with registration information or go to https://go.ncdpi.gov/March25 for details.
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Opportunities for World Language Educators
CARLA Priority Teacher Professional Development Scholarships
Applications due March 13
The Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA) at the University of Minnesota offers several scholarship programs to support attendance at the CARLA Summer Institutes.
The Priority Teacher Professional Development Scholarship program is designed to promote access to affordable professional development for world language educators who are currently teaching a Less Commonly Taught Language in the United States and/or are currently teaching at a Community College, Historically Black College/University, or postsecondary Minority Serving Institution in the United States.
Details about the application process, including the online scholarship application form, are posted on CARLA's Scholarship Opportunities page. Applications are due by Friday, March 13 and applicants will be notified about their status on April 10.
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FLANC Teacher of the Year Nominations
K-12 and Higher Education due March 15
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Fostering Language Acquisition in North Carolina (FLANC) invites you to nominate a special teacher for the K - 12 Teacher of the Year and the Higher Education Teacher of the Year awards. A good candidate would be someone who goes above and beyond their normal duties for students and stands out as a leader among peers. These two awards serve to acknowledge the fantastic work that these teachers dedicate to their students and to the profession on a daily basis.
FLANC's Teacher of the Year nominations form will be open until March 15, 2026. Questions can be directed to the FLANC Awards Chair, at awards@flanc.org, and additional details are available on FLANC's Scholarships & Awards page.
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FLANC Fall Conference Call for Proposals
Proposals due March 27
For 60 years, FLANC has provided language educators with opportunities to share classroom insights, build lasting connections, and unite through a shared passion for language and cultural education. This fall, they invite you to be part of that story and help inspire the next generation of educators by sharing your expertise with beginning teachers and colleagues across the state.
Guided by the 2026 conference theme, “Languages as Our Light, Culture as Our Compass,” FLANC invites you to share your voice, your experience, and your expertise with educators from across North Carolina and beyond.
Language educators, researchers, and graduate students are encouraged to submit proposals that highlight:
- Effective instructional practices
- Innovative ideas
- Various approaches to language teaching and learning
Proposal Opportunities Include:
- 50-minute session (Saturday or Sunday)
- 3-hour workshop (Sunday)
- Graduate Student Research Poster
Your work has the power to inspire, inform, and illuminate the path for others. Together, let us continue to build a community where language education lights the way and culture guides our journey.
🔗 Submit your proposal online by Friday, March 27, 2026.
For questions or additional information, please contact Kelly Ortiz, 1st Vice President & Program Chair (Fall 2026), at 1vp@flanc.org or go to FLANC's 2026 Fall Conference page.
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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
Options are available throughout February until regional workshops begin
Go to the World Languages Resources Hub: go.ncdpi.gov/WLresources
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Find us on Instagram @NCDPI_WORLDLANG
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