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National Hispanic Heritage Month
Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. Visit the National Hispanic Heritage Month website hosted by the Library of Congress to learn more.
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VDOE Updates
New VDOE Telephone System
The VDOE has upgraded the telephone system to a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) system. As a result, VDOE staff have new telephone numbers as of September 1, 2023.
New telephone numbers for World Languages
- World Languages Coordinator: (804) 750-8083
- World Languages Program Assistant: (804) 750-8611
Governor's World Language Academies
The application period for the Governor's World Language Academies will open in early October. Information and related documents will be posted on the GWLA page of the VDOE website after October 6, 2023.
New assessments for GWLA applicants
Applicants to the 2024 French, German, Japanese, and Spanish Academies will complete the Avant STAMP 2S assessment for speaking and writing.
Applicants to the 2024 Latin Academy will complete the Avant STAMP for Latin.
Each test session will have a time limit and must be administered in a proctored environment. Instructions for accessing and administering the test will be provided to schools when they submit the test code request form. Additional information about the testing process will be posted on the VDOE website after October 6, 2023.
Academies video snapshot
This short video from the 2022 Immersion Academies at Washington and Lee University will give you a small taste of the exciting things that happen at the Governor's World Language Academies.
Be Part of the Academies - Staff Applications
Language administrators, educators, teachers, and college students interested in a position at the Academies are encouraged to apply. Most of the faculty members at the Governor's World Language Academies are Virginia public secondary school teachers, private school teachers, or college professors. In addition, up to six young people per academy assist faculty and monitor dormitory behavior. These resident advisors are native speakers, college majors, or former Academy students.
Language teachers from across the state are also encouraged to apply to visit the academy of their language as teacher observers. Seeing the staff and students in action and taking an active role in some activities has proven highly successful as a leadership and professional development experience.
To apply for staff positions or teacher observer opportunities, visit the host site webpage or contact the host site coordinator of the selected Academy.
French, German, or Spanish Academies
Japanese and Latin Academies
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Supervisors' Corner
World Language Supervisor Tuesdays
World Language supervisors and lead teachers are invited to participate in monthly discussions on topics related to world language leadership and supervision. Sessions will take place on the second Tuesday of each month (except November) at 10 a.m. Register in advance to receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting(s). The next meeting will take place on October 10, 2023, and will focus on the Governor's World Language Academies.
Virginia Organization of World Language Supervisors (VOWLS)
Each school division's world language supervisor is invited to join or assign a designee to represent the division at the Virginia Organization of World Language Supervisors (VOWLS). Divisions with a first-time member can take advantage of a free membership offer. Email VOWLS President Jeremy Aldrich for more information.
There will be a lunch meeting for VOWLS members on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at the Fall FLAVA Conference in Norfolk. All members are invited to attend.
Dual Language/ Immersion (DL/I)
VADLEN meeting at the Fall FLAVA Conference
The Virginia Dual Language Educators Network (VADLEN) will hold a breakfast meeting on Friday, October 13, 2023, at the Fall FLAVA Conference. All members are invited to attend.
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News and Notes
Professional Learning Opportunities
FLAVA Fall Conference
FLAVA's Fall Conference, Adapt & Empower, will be held October 12-14, 2023, at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott.
Early Bird registration for the Fall FLAVA Conference ends on Friday, September 15, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. EST. The early bird rate includes breakfast on October 13 and lunch on October 14. After September 15, the conference rates will increase and will not include meals. Reservations for rooms at the conference hotel are available at the conference rate through September 20.
FLAVA 2023 Fall Workshops
The Foreign Language Association of Virginia (FLAVA) offers a series of one-hour workshops throughout the school year. You must register individually for each session. A Zoom link will be sent a day or two before the workshop.
- Wednesday, September 20 at 4:30 p.m. Input-First & Meaning-Based: Rethinking our Approach to Grammar. REGISTER HERE
- Tuesday, October 24 at 5:30 p.m. Inclusion in Our World Language Classrooms and Curricula. REGISTER HERE
- Thursday, November 9 at 5:30 p.m. Calendar Routine in The World Language Class Collaborative. REGISTER HERE
- Tuesday, December 5 at 5:30 p.m. Self-care is not selfish! Incorporating SEL in your life & your WL class. REGISTER HERE
Spanish Heritage Language Education Online Lecture Series
Join Dr. Tracy Quan, Dr. Yvette Bürki, and Dr. Claudia Cervantes-Soon for the 2023-2024 George Mason Spanish Heritage Language Education online lecture series. All lectures will be held via Zoom and they are free and open to the public. Visit the series webpage for more information and registration links.
Virtual Information Session for ESOL and World Language Education Programs at GMU
A virtual information session will be hosted on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, between 5-6 p.m. by George Mason University’s (GMU) Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse and Exceptional Learners (TCLDEL) program faculty for all PK-12 teacher candidates and in-service educators. Faculty will be on hand to present an overview of the Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction and Certificate programs in ESOL and World Languages concentrations at Mason. Participants will learn about program structures, outcomes, and admissions requirements, and can also ask any questions they might have. Application fee will be waived for those who attend this session and this is a limited special offer for this information session.
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Note: The inclusion of any professional development opportunity on this list from other entities does NOT constitute endorsement or verification by the Virginia Department of Education. |
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