It’s your first encounter with someone you just met from a different culture and background that speaks a language other than English. How are you able to communicate with them? In the past, many Americans’ initial approach would be to ask “Do you speak English?” However, as society becomes more and more diverse and the […]
Continue readingMeet a Language Superhero: Gabby Clark
The 2019 survey commissioned by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) titled “Making Languages Our Business,” reveals that the demand for employees with foreign language skills is rapidly growing, and nine out of ten employers rely on employees with language skills other than English (p. 3). As the report states: “A […]
Continue readingMitigating Conflict and Fostering Mutual Understanding with Language Proficiency
At Language Testing International, we have seen countless ways in which language proficiency skills alone have benefited our customers in their professional, academic, and even in their personal lives. However, when a person’s language proficiency skills are combined with cultural competency, the value that person brings to the table grows exponentially. A culturally competent person […]
Continue readingDiversity of Hispanic Leadership
The values and cultural preferences of individuals who identify as Hispanic are unique and distinct. So does the concept of leadership—what it should look like, sound like, and how it should be represented by Hispanic leaders in their communities. The diversity that exists within the Latino population means that leaders must use certain skillsets and […]
Continue readingLeveraging Language Proficiency to Engage Larger Audiences
Community leaders are utilizing language proficiency to engage larger audiences in today’s connected world. Since its inception in 1992, Language Testing International (LTI) has become a leader in administering language proficiency tests in more than 120 languages and in over 60 countries. While LTI has understood the importance of language proficiency skills since day one, […]
Continue readingLearning from AAPPL Results
I cried real tears the first time I received my students’ AAPPL scores. I had much to celebrate: great accomplishments on the Interpretive components, with several students obtaining scores high enough for our state’s Seal of Biliteracy, and those “surprise kids” performing better than expected. But they weren’t just the happy kind of tears; for […]
Continue reading“My accent is my asset”
There is often a misconception about people who speak English as their second language. If they have strong accents, they are often perceived as having a reduced ability to communicate or their level of intelligence is questioned. Let’s consider instead that if a person speaks with an accent or does not fully command English, that […]
Continue readingMultilingual Community Members Become Community Leaders
Culturally proficient outreach efforts help create equitable pathways for community members to become community leaders. At Language Testing International, we have seen many esteemed community leaders and elected officials utilize their language proficiency skills in their communication and outreach efforts. When combined with integrity, cultural competency, and authentic respect for the communities they are engaging, […]
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