Help Establish Equitable Dual Language Immersion Programs, Advocate for Humanities, & Remind Congress Coding ≠ Human Language

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FEATURED NEWS

JNCL-NCLIS Response to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Dear Colleagues,

COVID-19 continues to impact the Language Enterprise, in unpredictable ways and timeframes. In the language industry, we’ve seen indications that COVID-19 will have different impacts on different sectors. Recent articles are below in the news brief.

JNCL-NCLIS member, the International Association for Language Learning Technology, has prepared a free resource to assist in the rapid transition to online language learning, for those schools which close for social distancing:

https://fltmag.com/pandemic-prepping-in-the-language-class/ . This is very gracious and timely of IALLT.

In closing, take care of yourselves, your students, staff, and family. Languages will still be here when this is all over!

With Best Regards,

Bill Rivers

Executive Director

JNCL-NCLIS

The SYLLABLE Act: Help Establish High Quality Dual Language Immersion Programs

March 6, 2020 | JNCL Action Alert

Dual-language immersion programs are in extremely high demand across the country. Despite growing interest in these programs, recent trends suggest that low-income communities have less access to programs that are faithful to the dual-language model.

In support of dual-language immersion programs and access to language learning for all, JNCL-NCLIS encourages advocates in the language community to ask your representative to cosponsor H.R. 5764, the “Supporting Young Language Learners’ Access to Bilingual Education (SYLLABLE) Act of 2020 .”

Take Action for Equitable DLI Programs!

Oppose Coding for Foreign Languages in Rhode Island

March 5, 2020 | JNCL Action Alert The Rhode Island House of Representatives, Committee on Health, Education, and Welfare will consider H 7045, a bill to expand the teaching of computer science in Rhode Island. Unfortunately, the bill calls for the identification of High school courses in computer science, including computer coding and computer programming, of sufficient rigor that may be used to satisfy admissions requirements at state colleges and universities, including requirements for foreign languages, mathematics, and science.

Please write to your legislators opposing this bill. As we know, coding is not a human language !

Take Action for Foreign Languages in Rhode Island!

Take Action for Humanities

March 12, 2020 | JNCL Announcement

A message from the National Humanities Alliance

Last year, Congress passed the biggest increase for the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) in a decade. Today is the day to write to Congress to make it happen again. Take action for the NEH.

And, this year, we are working with even more energy to build support for the National Archives, our only priority that has seen cuts in recent years. Take action for the National Archives.

We are also advocating for the Department of Education’s international education programs (Title VI and Fulbright-Hays). Tell Congress that these programs need their support!

Please also help us by spreading the word on social media and using #HAD20.

POLICY CLIPS

Students, City Administrators Talk Challenges of Limited English Proficiency on Voting | The Michigan Daily

House Passes Bill to Allow Spanish-Language Driver's License Tests | Argus Leader (SD)

Dozens of Democrats Raise Concerns over 'Public Charge' Rule and Coronavirus Response | The Hill

Coronavirus Will Make the 2020 Census Even Trickier | WIRED

EDUCATION CLIPS

The SYLLABLE Act: Supporting Equitable Access to Dual Language Immersion Schools | New America

Coronavirus Threatens Drop in International Student Enrollment for Universities Across Nation | Columbia Spectator

How Our Two States Achieved Remarkable Gains for English Language Learners | RealClear Education (UT)

Educate Children in Their Mother Tongue, Urges UN Rights Expert | UN News

INDUSTRY CLIPS

China Releases Survey on How the Coronavirus Is Affecting the Language Industry | Slator

US Coast Guard Opens RFP to Replace ‘Human Translator’ with ‘Portable Translator’ | Slator

Japan Requires Multilingual Information on COVID-19 | Japan Times

Groundbreaking Book Examines Role of English Language Proficiency in Airline Accidents | News ERAU

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

CANCELLED: TESOL 2020 Convention

COVID-19 continues to impact the Language Enterprise, in unpredictable ways and timeframes.

TESOL has been forced to cancel its meeting, and has started a new resilience and recovery fund to help cover their losses. If you or any colleagues want to help, please see www.tesol.org/donate .

As other learned societies in our world and trade associations cancel or postpone their meetings, we will report on them. .

Casa Cornelia Law Center is Looking for a Fijian Interpreter

Casa Cornelia Law Center is looking for a Fijina Interpreter to help their latest client. Without an interpreter, this person will not be able to obtain representation in front of immigration court . Recently, Casa Cornelia has had to deny services to individuals for whom they were not able to find an interpreter.

If you or someone you know is a Fijian interpreter, please contact AValle@casacornelia.org

Learn more about Casa Cornelia

Have an announcement you want to share with the community?

EMAIL US: arutkowski@languagepolicy.org

PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

OWL Online Professional Development

This four-week series will provide you with all the tools necessary for an organized and confident end to the school year! Designed for both new and experienced OWL’ers, each week we will discover and explore resources guaranteed to leave you assured and with fresh ideas .

East Coast Online PD begins at 4:00pm EST/3:00pm CST/ 2:00pm MST/ 1:00pm PST

West Coast Online PD begins at 4:00pm PST/ 5:00pm MST/ 6:00pm CST/ 7:00pm EST