World Language News from VDOE - February 2024

Virginia Department of Education sent this bulletin at 02/01/2024 05:25 AM EST

Virginia Department of Education: World Language News

February 2024

Lunar New Year 2024: The Year of the Dragon

This year, Lunar New Year falls on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. The Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art offers a variety of ways to celebrate the Lunar New Year such as virtual field trips, music, Mandarin lessons, webinars, and more.

In the Richmond area, celebrate the Lunar New Year at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Family Day on February 3, 2024. Explore Chinese art and culture through art-making activities, collaborative projects, films, artist demonstrations, and performances. The Family Day activities are free and no tickets or registration are required.

VDOE Updates

National Security Language Initiative - Critical Languages Grant

The application period is now open for the VDOE National Security Language Initiative (NSLI) competitive grants. VDOE will award these grants to public school divisions to add or expand offerings in one or more world language courses currently identified as critical by the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI) scholarship program.  School divisions may apply for this competitive grant program using the NSLI2024 online application. The deadline for divisions to submit completed applications is February 29, 2024. More information about the grant is available on the NSLI Grant page of the VDOE website.

Governor's World Language Academies

Summer 2024 Employment Opportunities

Program Coordinators are now accepting applications for staff positions for the summer 2024 Governor’s World Language Academies. The deadline to apply is February 15, 2024.

Language administrators, educators, teachers, and college students interested in a position at the 2024 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/ language mentors are native speakers, college majors, or former Academy students.

To apply for staff positions or teacher observer opportunities, visit the host site webpage listed below and select the Apply tab to complete the online application by February 15, 2024. The ability to pass a criminal background check is required for employment.

French, German, or Spanish Academies

Dates: June 22 – July 13, 2024
Location: Washington & Lee University in Lexington, VA
Website: Immersion Academies Website
Contact: Email the Host Site Coordinator

Japanese and Latin Academies

Dates: June 23 – July 14, 2024
Location: Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, VA
Website: Latin Academy
Website: Japanese Academy
Contact: Email the Host Site Coordinator

GWLA Student Applications

The application period for the Governor's World Language Academies (GWLA) is now closed for students. Nominees will receive decision notices via email on or about April 15, 2024. Applicants will also be able to see their status posted on their SMApply account page after the notifications have been sent.

GWLA Status Notices

Status Notices for each school division or private school that submits nominees will be sent by email to the designated contact person listed in the SSWS system as the primary contact for the Governor's World Language Academies. Notices will be sent on or around April 8, 2024. Public school divisions that need to update their designated contact in SSWS should contact their local SSWS account administrator. Private schools that need to update their contact person should email Lisa Harris, Coordinator of World Languages, for assistance.

GWLA Funding Certification Due Feburary 16, 2024

The collection window for school divisions and private schools to certify funding for the GWLA in the SSWS system is open through February 16, 2024. Private schools can use this form to request a new SSWS account or to have an existing account reactivated. See Appendix A of the Guide for Schools for details on the data entry process.

At the end of the final collection day, the collection window will close and all collections will be marked complete, even if no nominees are submitted. Divisions needing to enter data after the deadline should email Lisa Harris for assistance.

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 February 13, 2024.

Notes about the Use of AI Assistants

At this time, participants in VDOE sponsored webinars and virtual meetings may not record or transcribe the meeting using Artificial Intelligence (AI) services such as Otter AI or any other AI service. Those using any AI service will be removed from the meeting.

On January 18, 2024 Governor Glenn Youngkin issued Executive Order 30 on Artificial Intelligence (AI), which implements AI Education Guidelines for the classroom and AI Policy and Information Technology Standards.

Book Time with the VDOE World Languages Coordinator

For assistance beyond email with the GWLA application process, the NSLI Grant application, or to discuss any World Language related questions, you can book a video call with Lisa Harris, Coordinator of World Languages.

Dual Language/ Immersion (DL/I)

DL/I Day 2024 - Save the Date and Share Your Brilliance!

Registration is now open for Virginia's 5th annual DL/I Day, Biliteracy Brilliance: Nurturing Multilingual Minds, will take place on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at the Thomas Fulghum Conference Center in Midlothian, Virginia.

Teacher Education and Licensure

Virginia Licensure Online System

VDOE has launched its Virginia Licensure Online system (VALO) to help modernize the teacher licensure process and make the application and renewal experience more user-friendly for perspective and current teachers. The system is designed to assist applicants as they move through the licensure process. VALO will make it easier for prospective teachers to submit complete and accurate applications, keep track of their application status, and timely correct any needed information. Read more from VDOE!

News and Notes

Grants and Scholarships

The FY24 World Language Advancement and Readiness Grants Program (WLARA) is now accepting applications

The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) seeks applications to establish, improve, or expand innovative world language programs in military-connected schools. Each individual grant award will be a minimum of $500,000.00 and may be up to a maximum of $2,000,000, for a period of up to five (5) years. The online application will close on March 29, 2024. On February 29, 2024, the Department of Defense Education Activity will host a technical assistance webinar to assist with the grant application process. More information will be available on the DODEA grants website. You can learn more about the FY23 grant recipients here.

Scholarship to Study in Taiwan

The Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the U.S. (TECRO) has announced the opening of the Huayu Enrichment Scholarship (HES) for foreign Mandarin/Chinese learners, including beginners, to study at any accredited Mandarin center at a university or college in Taiwan. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen above the age of 18, a high school graduate or above, and be a resident of of one of the states in the TECRO service area, which includes Virginia. Applicants recommended by the state department of education will receive priority consideration. Visit the MOE website for more information on the program. Applications are due by March 31, 2024.

Student Scholarship to Study in France, Summer 2024

The American Society of the French Academic Palms (ASFAP) will offer 3 summer scholarships of $4000 each to be used in a French-speaking country to students whose interest in the French language and Francophone cultures has been identified by their French instructors. Their primary purpose is to provide students with the opportunity to become more proficient in the language and to understand and appreciate cultures found in the French- speaking world. The deadline to apply is February 14, 2024.

Instructional Tools and Publications

Updated TELL Classroom Observation Tool

The National Foreign Language Center (NFLC) at the University of Maryland has released an updated classroom observation tool using the Teacher Effectiveness for Language Learning (TELL) foundational criteria. This updated tool allows educators and observers to document what is happening in a language class to help identify strengths and set goals through meaningful feedback.

New TELL Website

The Teacher Effectiveness for Language Learning (TELL) framework has been available for over a decade. Since 2017, PEARLL and the National Foreign Language Center have supported the continued development of the widely known framework and resources. Originally self-published by a group of world language education leaders in 2011, the TELL website has been reimagined and is being updated on the PEARLL website in time for the 2024-2025 academic year. If you are using TELL resources in your teacher education courses, for professional learning, or to document your own professional growth, we recommend you begin to update your bookmarks now.

Professional Learning

Call for Proposals - FLAVA Spring Conference 2024

The FLAVA Spring Mini-Conference, Engage, Empower, and Energize, will be held in Lexington at Washington & Lee University on April 20, 2024. Do you or a colleague have an inspired idea that you would like to share? Presenters are welcome to facilitate a session individually or make it doubly impactful by co-presenting with colleagues. Submit a proposal with this online form by March 1, 2024.

Teaching and Learning Languages in the United States (TELL-US) Podcast Series

The National Foreign Language Resource Center has released the Teaching & Learning Languages in the United States (TELL-US) podcast series. The content is designed for professionals who find themselves teaching in a culture and education system that is different from the one they experienced growing up. This year's series centers on Designing and Delivering Proficiency-Focused Target-Language Input and is hosted by Nicole Naditz, 2015 ACTFL Teacher of the Year.

Previous episodes are available in the podcast archive.

Understanding the American system of education and language education
What is proficiency (proficiency vs. performance)?
Language targets, Can Do statements
Content- and culture-rich target language input responsive to learners' needs

University of Virginia – Summer Language Institute

The Summer Language Institute (SLI) at the University of Virginia offers a wide range of language options for learners. You can choose from Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Latin, Spanish, and Russian. The program is open to rising high school juniors and seniors, college/graduate students, and non-traditional students. During the last part of the program, students in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Russian, and Spanish will take the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPIc) to assess their language proficiency. Students learning Latin will be evaluated through the Avant (1 skill-reading). The deadline for applications is March 28, 2024.

Virginia Statewide LMS Credentials

Educators and technology personnel at Virginia public schools and divisions may now earn Virginia Statewide LMS credentials specific to their roles through a new series of free professional learning opportunities from Virtual Virginia. Spring Webinars Begin February 5, 2024.

Four credential opportunities are available, with two tracks for teachers and other education personnel and two tracks for technology and infrastructure personnel. Each track will include a series of webinars and a brief online course. Participants who successfully complete a track will earn a certificate and digital badge worth five hours of professional learning.

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

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