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December 2021

Governor's World Language Academies Selection Committees

The VDOE is seeking applications from individuals who are qualified and available to serve on the Governor's World Language Academies Student Selection Committees for the French, German, Spanish, Latin, and Japanese Academies.  A Superintendents' Memo will be posted on December 17, 2021.  See below for more information.

VDOE Updates

Governor's World Language Academies

Student Applications

The website with GWLA Applications and information is now updated with the 2022 information. Superintendent's Memo 287-21 announcing the 2022 Summer Residential Program was posted on October 15 and has additional information.  Students must begin the application process no later than January 6, 2022.

Staff Applications

Teaching at the Academies is a rewarding and challenging experience that will help individuals to grow as instructors in the field.  If you are interested in applying to become a part of the Academy staff, visit the websites below and select the application from the Apply tab at the top of the page.

French, German, and Spanish Academies

Latin Academy

Japanese Academy

Notes and Reminders for 2022 GWLA

• The system deadline for students to begin the GWLA application process is January 6, 2022. All steps, including language testing, must be completed by January 31, 2022.
• A recorded webinar on the GWLA application process is available for school or division staff use.
• See the GWLA Website and the Guide for Schools for detailed information on the application process.
• Please encourage students to download and use the Student Application Planning Form.
• Students must complete all questions on the “Student Application Questions” task before they will be able to move forward with any additional parts of the application, including recommendation requests.

Selection Committees

The VDOE is seeking applications from individuals who are qualified and available to serve on the Governor's World Language Academies Student Selection Committees for the French, German, Spanish, Latin, and Japanese Academies.  Applicants should be teachers, content specialists, or other educators who are knowledgeable about the Academies and fluent in the selected target language.

Committee meetings will be held from the afternoon of Thursday, March 10, 2022 through March12, 2022.  The committees may convene virtually for some or all of the meetings.  The decision on the meeting format will be made in January and will be based on health department and VDOE guidance related to group gatherings at that time, as well as the needs of the committee.

All individuals who wish to serve on one of the Student Selection Committees must submit a web-based application through the Instruction Committee Application Processing System (ICAPS).  The application will require a professional reference and division approval.  Completed applications are due by January 28, 2022.  The procedure for submitting the web-based application is available at   https://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/instruction_committees/index.shtml

World Language Learning Series

The monthly World Language professional learning series will continue in January 2022 through spring 2022.  Register at the links below and attend your choice of sessions. 

Register here for the World Language Supervisors Meetings

Register here for the World Language Wednesdays Professional Learning Sessions

International Education

Teachers of Critical Languages Program

Round 2 of the Teachers of Critical Languages Program (TCLP) grant application is now open! TCLP is fully funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State and helps U.S. K-12 schools to launch new or expand existing Arabic or Chinese language programs.  TCLP makes it easy for U.S. schools to grow their critical language programs by placing fully-funded teachers from Egypt, Morocco, or China to teach Arabic or Chinese for an academic year. By sharing their languages and cultures, the teachers bring global competencies to their host schools and communities. Host a teacher in 2022 by starting an application today!  The application deadline for TCLP host schools is Friday, January 7, 2022 at 11:59pm EST.

Grant to Support Japanese Programs

This CGP Salary Assistance grant program primarily aims to support the creation of a new staff position that will focus on designing and implementing innovative, virtual and/or in-person Japan-related outreach centered on the organization’s local community and will be sustainable in the new post-COVID-19 lifestyle. Japanese Studies and Japanese language departments at U.S. universities, Japan-America Societies, Japanese gardens and organizations that promote grassroots cultural exchange are welcome to apply. Grants will be awarded up to $32,000 and the deadline to apply is January 24, 2022.

Dual Language/ Immersion

Dual language and immersion (DLI) family education

This site contains customizable materials to use for workshops with DLI parents/families. The materials were developed specifically for two-way immersion contexts, but can be modified for one-way and indigenous programs. Note that indigenous immersion-specific materials for parents/families are currently under development (in partnership with Anchorage School District) and will later be added. The site also contains additional information for parents/families - K-5 materials are available in English, Spanish and Hmong; Grade 6-12 materials are available in English and Spanish.

Professional Learning

SCOLT 2022 Registration Now Open

The 2022 SCOLT Conference, Inclusion it about US All! will take place March 31-April 2, 2022 in Norfolk, VA.  You don’t want to miss this opportunity to attend an in-person conference, learn new strategies and skills, network with colleagues from around the country, see old friends, and make new ones! In addition to the traditional, in-person conference, this year there is a virtual option for those who are not able to travel to Norfolk. The virtual option includes 10 pre-recorded sessions and a live-stream of the Opening General Session on Friday, April 1.  To meet everyone’s needs and interests, there are in-person and virtual pre/post-conference workshop options. Make your plans to attend and register today!

SCOLT Workshop March 31, 2022, 1 – 4pm: Charting Your Path to Proficiency with Core Practices and the TELL Framework

Interested in learning more about core practices and proficiency-oriented teaching? Wondering how to get started? This workshop facilitated by three state language specialists from VA, NC, and GA brings together the 10 core practices, language proficiency, and the Teacher Effectiveness for Language Learning (TELL) Framework. Participants will explore core practices in language teaching, match them to TELL criteria, and reflect on how each is used in a proficiency-oriented classroom. Facilitators will share a crosswalk of the TELL Framework and core practices, and how to incorporate Catalyst to document professional growth. Offered as part of the SCOLT Conference.

Dual Master’s Degree Opportunity in Spanish Language and Culture for Educators

James Madison University (JMU), and the University of Salamanca (USAL), Spain are offering a dual Master program in Spanish. The program leads to a Master in Education (M.Ed.) with a concentration in Spanish Language and Culture for Educators degree from JMU and a Salamanca Masters for Teachers of Spanish as a Foreign Language degree from USAL. The program format includes one summer at JMU, one summer at USAL, and three additional academic semesters (fall, spring, fall) in online classes at the students’ home locations.  Visit the JMU Spanish Language and Culture for Educators website for more information.  Applications must be received by March 15, 2022.  

STARTALK Federal Grant Proposals

The National Security Agency (NSA) STARTALK Program Management Office has announced a new STARTALK solicitation or call for proposals . STARTALK grant proposals must be submitted by January 7, 2022, at 11:59 pm EST.

The NSA’s National Cryptologic School manages STARTALK to provide language training programs for K-16 teachers and students to meet future national security challenges. Grants to universities, public or private schools, or school systems are available to conduct in-residence, commuter, virtual, or hybrid learning events for students and teachers in Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Persian, and Russian.

Details can be downloaded at the link above, including the Call for Proposals and the Proposal Preparation Instructions (PPI). More changes have occurred since the last STARTALK solicitation in April 2021, so please read the Call for Proposals and the PPI very carefully. You can also register for a STARTALK public webinar to learn more December 15 @ 3:00 - 4:00 pm EST.

Language Related Resources, Articles and Research

German Day in Virginia on March 26, 2022

The Collaboratory for German Studies in Virginia is pleased to announce its first statewide German Day on Saturday, March 26, 2022. High school programs from across the Commonwealth are invited to visit one of these six universities: George Mason University (GMU), the University of Mary Washington (UMW), the University of Virginia (UVa), Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), Virginia Tech (VT), and William & Mary (W&M). The day is filled with fun competitions and hands-on activities such as German Jeopardy, Schultüten crafting, and German karaoke. 

Virtual Reality and Language Learning

This presentation on Designing VR Scenarios for Language Learning by University of Oregon Ph.D. student Carla Consolini provides insight into how the usage of virtual reality (VR) can impact and help with learning a second language and targeted cultural practices. As Consolini explains, VR allow learners to practice communication in an immersive but low-risk setting. Consolini also provides resources for instructors who would like to use VR for their own purposes and provides tips for instructors using those tools. 

Sign Up for the World Language News and Notes

Sign up to receive the World Language News and Notes, monthly newsletter from VDOE.  Register the name and email address where you would like to receive the monthly newsletter, then add VDOE@public.govdelivery.com to your contact list to ensure delivery.

Note: The inclusion of any professional development opportunity or resources on this list from other entities does NOT constitute endorsement or verification by the Virginia Department of Education.