January 2025 • Issue 87 • California Association for Bilingual Education

Upcoming CABE Dates and Deadlines in this Issue

• January 10—Application Deadline MariachiFestival-Competition
• January 10—Submission Deadline CABE/CABTE Graduate Student Research Symposium
• January 11—DLTA Module 4: Authentic Spanish Reading Instruction | La pedagogía para la enseñanza auténtica de la lectura
• January 23 & 30—ELDTA Module 5: ELPAC 2.0- High-Leverage Strategies for English Learner Success (Reading and Writing Domains)
• January 24—Session 2 of Cultural Connections: Language Instruction that Leads to Academic, Linguistic, and Socio-Cultural Competencies
• February26—Deadline for CABE 2025 Early Bird Registration Savings

CABE Legislative Advocate Report

by Jennifer Baker

• Legislature Swears In
• LAO Issues California Facts
• Legislative Calendar

Summary of Governor Newsom's 2025-2026 Budget Proposal

• Economic Outlook
• Revenue Estimates
• Education Funding
• Higher Education

Cultural Connections: CABE’s Global Exchange Program

On December 9–13, 2024, CABE’s Cultural Connections program brought together California educators on a delegation visit to Macau and Hong Kong. This opportunity allowed participants to engage in a rich exchange of ideas, explore educational practices, and strengthen cross-cultural collaboration.

The program, supported by funding from the US Consulate of Hong Kong and Macau, reflects CABE’s commitment to fostering multilingualism, advancing bilingual education, and promoting global understanding. The itinerary offered insights into a variety of educational systems and practices, encouraging delegates to reflect on their own work while learning from international peers.

The delegation’s agenda, listed by the order of visit, included:

●     Premier School Affiliated to Hou Kong Middle School

●     University of Macau

●     City University of Macau

●     International Montessori School

●     Harrow International School, Hong Kong

●     The Education University of Hong Kong

●     Hong Kong Community College

●     Fung Kai Innovative School

●     SKH Chan Young Secondary School

●     The Chinese University of Hong Kong

●     US Consulate of Hong Kong and Macau

●     Marymount Secondary School

●     University of Southern California (Hong Kong Office)

Each visit provided opportunities to observe approaches to education, connect with professionals from different cultural and linguistic contexts, and explore how schools and universities address the needs of their communities.

Key Highlights from the Visit

Both Macau and Hong Kong reflect rich linguistic diversity and a commitment to multilingualism. In Hong Kong, trilingualism and biliteracy are educational priorities, with Cantonese, Mandarin, and English—one of the city’s official languages—taught or promoted across schools. This equips students to navigate both global and local contexts, preserving cultural ties. Cantonese, often referred to as the mother tongue, is an oral language which remains a vital part of this region’s identity. Similarly, in Macau, where Portuguese is one of the official languages alongside Chinese, schools emphasize multilingual education to prepare students for broader international engagement.

In Macau and Hong Kong, the delegation visited both K–12 schools and higher education institutions. Visits to K–12 schools allowed delegates to visit classrooms, observe the teaching and learning process, and engage in dialogue with teachers and school leaders. At higher education institutions, the group primarily met with leaders and professors, including professors in teacher education, bilingual education, or translation and interpretation programs. The meetings provided platforms to discuss research and identify opportunities for collaboration such as pre-service and in-service teacher exchange programs. At the University of Southern California (Hong Kong Office), delegates explored how institutions bridge practice and policy to create meaningful impacts.

One of the visit’s highlights was the meeting at the US Consulate of Hong Kong and Macau, where delegates learned about the consulate’s broader mission to promote educational exchange and cultural understanding. The US Department of State sponsors multiple programs overseas that promote the teaching and learning of American English. (Learn more at Office of English Language Programs | Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.) This visit underscored the vital role of diplomacy in creating opportunities for collaboration and mutual growth.

Delegates left with a renewed appreciation for the power of education to connect communities across borders. The opportunity to engage directly with students, educators, and administrators enriched their understanding of multilingual education and its significance in today’s global landscape.

Cultural Exploration

Beyond the formal visits, delegates took the opportunity to immerse themselves in the cultural richness of Macau and Hong Kong. In Macau, the group explored several UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the Cotai Strip. Highlights included the Ruins of St. Paul, the Historic Centre of Macau, Senado Square, Santo António, Mount Fortress, and A-Ma Temple, each providing a deeper understanding of Macau’s unique blend of Chinese and Portuguese heritage. Macau’s cultural fusion is not only evident in its architecture and traditions but also celebrated in its cuisine, which is widely recognized as the world’s first fusion food, blending Chinese, Portuguese, and other global influences into a truly distinctive culinary experience.

In Hong Kong, the delegates explored vibrant districts such as Tsim Sha Tsui, Central Market, and Kowloon. They experienced the Hong Kong Symphony of Lights from Victoria Harbour and enjoyed panoramic views from Victoria Peak. Other highlights included visits to the Ngong Ping Village and Tai O Fishing Village, which offered insights into Hong Kong’s cultural and historical roots. Evening ventures to the bustling Night Markets rounded out the group’s immersion into Hong Kong’s dynamic atmosphere.

Building Momentum with Virtual Sessions

CABE’s Cultural Connections program is not limited to in-person visits. The program continues with a series of virtual sessions designed to extend the conversations and collaborations, beyond the in-person delegates.

One virtual session was held in November, and three additional virtual sessions are scheduled in the coming months. Having already attracted over 70 registrants from 12 states, the District of Columbia, Macau, Hong Kong, and mainland China, these sessions will focus on sharing insights, discussing best practices, and addressing challenges in multilingual education.

Welcoming a Delegation from Hong Kong and Macau

CABE is also preparing to welcome a delegation of educators from Hong Kong and Macau to Southern California. This reciprocal exchange will allow visiting delegates to engage with California’s bilingual education leaders, tour programs, and participate in professional learning opportunities.

The upcoming visit will build on the foundations established during the recent delegation trip, further deepening partnerships and fostering mutual understanding. Hosting the delegation reflects CABE’s commitment to creating meaningful, long-term connections that benefit educators, students, and communities alike.

Learn More

For more information about the Cultural Connections program and its future activities, including registering for the upcoming virtual sessions, please visit our website at https://gocabe.org/cultural-connections/ and see the ad that follows this article.

A heartfelt thank you to all the educators, institutions, and partners who contributed to making this program possible. Together, we are building a future where multilingualism and cultural understanding thrive.

Check out this CalMattters article about bilingual education in California that features CABE Board Member Dr. Barbara Flores and includes a quote from CABE CEO Dr. Edgar Lampkin...

Contact the editor: Laurie Miles, Communications Manager, laurie@gocabe.org