Each year, JNCL-NCLIS delegates and dedicated language advocates across the county unite to meet with Members of Congress and promote the importance of language education and international studies.
Priority registration won't be open for long! Take advantage of discounted ticket prices by registering today!
|
|
|
|
September 24th 2021 | JNCL Newsroom
Today, the full House of Representatives approved the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which contained an amendment that would authorize the Bilingual Education Seal and Teaching (BEST) Act. The BEST Act would provide federal support to establish and implement Seal of Biliteracy programs, which encourages and recognizes high school students who achieve proficiency in both English and at least one other language, around the country. The BEST Act amendment was offered by Rep. Julia Brownley (D-CA), the author and lead sponsor of the BEST Act, and the House’s approval of her amendment came on the same day that Kentucky became the 45th state to establish a Seal of Biliteracy program.
|
|
|
|
September 24th, 2021 | JNCL Newsroom
On Wednesday afternoon, the Joint National Committee for Languages (JNCL), the national coalition providing representation on Capitol Hill for language educators and professionals, hosted a congressional briefing addressing the national language educator shortage and the most pressing challenges facing the recruitment and retention of World Language, Bilingual, and Dual Immersion educators.
“Several common themes emerged from this conversation: the need for sustainable language education models; the willingness to break down barriers; and the importance of challenging negative attitudes towards the diverse languages and cultures in the United States,” said panel moderator Amanda Seewald, President, JNCL-NCLIS. “Increased financial support will allow all schools to grow programs that yield multilingual citizens who can contribute to the greater good and economic success of our society. We know our global economy needs this.”
|
|
|
|
 |
September 23rd, 2021 | AP News
Now that schools have welcomed students back to classrooms, they face a new challenge: a shortage of teachers and staff the likes of which some districts say they have never seen.
Public schools have struggled for years with teacher shortages, particularly in math, science, special education and languages. But the coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated the problem. The stress of teaching in the COVID-19 era has triggered a spike in retirements and resignations.
Schools also need to hire staffers like tutors and special aides to make up for learning losses and more teachers to run online school for those not ready to return.
|
|
|
|
September 22nd, 2021 | EdWeek
When the school year began in August for the Cajon Valley Union district in California, some members of the school community from Afghanistan were missing.
Through local and international phone calls, staff in the district tracked down eight families who, after going to visit relatives in Afghanistan, had been unable to return to the United States amid the chaos of military evacuations and rising Taliban control, said Michael Serban, director of the district’s family and community engagement office.
Like administrators in some other districts, Serban’s staff suddenly found themselves contacting legislators and government agencies to help bring families back.
|
|
|
|
POLICY CLIPS
EDUCATION CLIPS
INDUSTRY CLIPS
|
|
September 10th, 2021 | I'm Learning Mandarin
But seriously, who? Because while it is Hispanic Heritage Month, the notion of a multiracial, multinational, pan-ethnic identity called "Hispanic" is a relatively recent — and somewhat haphazard invention — in the United States.
So on this episode, we're digging into how the term got created and why it continues to both unite and bewilder.
|
|
Date: October 13th, 2021
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA) is partnering with the White House Initiative on Advancing Education Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics. OELA is hosting a panel discussion: Hispanic Heritage Month Authors Series: Celebrating Latino Experience, History, People, and Cultures with featured authors whose work features heroes and heroines that highlight the diversity within Latino communities and the importance of representation in literature
Join OELA and accomplished authors on October 13, 2021, at 2:30 pm ET (90 min) for a panel discussion on the importance of Hispanic representation in literature. The event will feature the authors’ works and encourage the audience to explore and engage with these stories.
|
|
Center for Applied Linguistics
Ever wonder what students think are the best ways to learn a language? NCSSFL (National Council of State Supervisors for Languages) asked just that question. It turns out that students have strong feelings about how they best learn language, and they don’t necessarily match up with how we teach languages.
To explore the learner’s perspective, NCSSFL organized a diverse group of high school students to participate in a panel on language learning. Students’ comments and recommendations focused on their motivation for language learning, a desired focus on speaking skills, a concern for increased interactive activities, recommendations for classroom activities, and use of resources beyond the classroom.
|
|
PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES |
|
Date: September 20th, 2021
The AATSP has developed a new tool for PreK-12 teachers to promote Dual and World Language Education in their classrooms. We have created two brochures in English and Spanish that detail the many benefits for students studying multiple languages. Language teachers can share these brochures with students, parents, and administrators to demonstrate the many opportunities that are available for their students pursuing the Seal of Biliteracy / Sello de Bilingüismo. The brochures can be printed or shared digitally.
The Seal of Biliteracy is an award given by a school, district, or state in recognition of students who have studied and attained proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation. The Seal of Biliteracy encourages students to pursue biliteracy, honors the skills our students attain, and is evidence of skills that are attractive to future employers and college admissions offices.
|
|
Date: October 23rd, 2021
The conference will be held exclusively on Zoom on October 23, 2021, from 8:45 am to 1:30 pm. There will be sixteen 10-minute presentations and eight 50-minute workshops presented by language professionals from universities, high schools, and language and cultural centers from the Midwest and beyond.
The event will be held on five concurrent Zoom channels hosted by four universities accessible through Sched. Participants will access the sessions through Sched.
Any presentations you will miss will be available to participants for later viewing on Sched.
|
|
FEDERAL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES |
|
JNCL-NCLIS Significant Contributors
|
|
JNCL-NCLIS is grateful for the support from our partners. |
|
“Ensuring that Americans have the opportunity to learn English and at least one other language.”
Joint National Committee for Languages
National Council for Languages and International Studies
|
|
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24th, 2021 ISSUE
|
|
Disclaimer: The articles and news sources included in NewsBrief are not endorsed by, directly affiliated with, maintained, authorized, or sponsored by JNCL-NCLIS. The views and opinions expressed in the articles in this NewsBrief are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any other agency, organization, employer or company.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
