On February 8-10, a few of LTI’s colleagues had the privilege of participating in the JNCL-NCLIS Language Advocacy Days. This annual event, delivered virtually, brings language educators, students, and leaders together to discuss issues surrounding language education and to advocate for multilingualism and quality language education.
Participating in this event was an incredibly inspiring experience. It was an honor to come together with language educators and students from across the country to advocate with elected officials for funding and equal access to quality language education. On Wednesday and Friday, we had the opportunity to hear from numerous language advocates, multilingual professionals, educators, as well as a few elected officials. Among them were House Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) and Mary Sattler Peltola (D-AK) as well as Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI), who gave powerful speeches about the significance of language education and preservation and the importance of multilingualism to our economy, national security, and the United States’ standing on the global stage.
“We have a lot of work to do to build our country’s language capacity. It is important that we fund school language programs, and we strengthen the language educator pipeline. As we look forward to the work ahead of us, I am also looking forward to our continued partnership.” – U.S. Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19), America’s Language Caucus House Co-Chair
On Thursday, the participants were grouped into state delegations and followed a pre-set schedule to meet with the offices of our state elected officials. We met with the staffers of our state Senators and House Representatives to discuss pressing issues facing language programs, educators, and professionals across the nation and to ask their support for our legislative requests. The passion and dedication of all the delegates was evident. Many of the staffers we met, a lot of whom are bilingual and multilingual, immediately understood our message and promised their support. Advocacy is important. These three days were a powerful reminder of the impact we can make when we come together to support a common cause.
“We really just need to work that much harder to reinvest in language diversity and making sure that we are learning languages and not being a monolingual society.” – Mary Sattler Peltola (D-AK), the First Alaska Native to Serve in Congress and First Woman to Serve Alaska’s House Seat
Here are the legislative requests that were brought forth to the Senate and House officials:
1. Introduce and pass the World Language Education Assistance Program (World LEAP).
Currently the US Department of Education does not contain a program that offers all districts the opportunity to compete for funds to develop and grow innovative world language and dual language programs. The forthcoming World LEAP legislation would establish at the US Department of Education a multi-year grant program to allow school districts to establish, improve, and carry out projects that improve and expand world language or dual language programs. Additionally, it would broaden pathways for language or dual language teacher certification in order to diversify and expand opportunities in the teacher workforce and offer accessible opportunities for paraprofessionals to gain full educator certification and licensure.
2. Reintroduce and enact the revised Biliteracy Educational Seal and Teaching (BEST) Act.
Even though the Seal of Biliteracy has been adopted by 49 states, the 2020 Seal of Biliteracy Report suggests that most schools across the country still do not offer the Seal of Biliteracy to their students and that there is no federal support to implement and scale Seal of Biliteracy Programs. The soon to be reintroduced BEST Act would provide federal funding for the equitable implementation of programs to allow every student, particularly English language and heritage language learners, to achieve the Seal of Biliteracy. It is important that the new BEST legislation focus on delivering funding directly to school districts to allow them to initiate or scale existing Seal programs and defray the costs of required student assessment costs thereby ensuring that money is not a barrier to any student seeking to achieve the Seal.
3. Provide $15 million for World Language Advancement and Readiness (WLARA) Grants in FY24 Department of Defense Appropriations.
The 2017 bipartisanly commissioned AAAS report states: “By several measures, the US has neglected languages in its educational curricula, its international strategies, and its domestic policies.” Language deficit could threaten our defense priorities and missions around the globe. Unfortunately, the nation’s precarious financial situation and the calls by some Members of Congress to reduce federal spending imperils federal investment in language education, even for those programs that fill critical needs and have demonstrated success. Continued funding of WLARA would preserve and expand investment in existing language federal education programs that provide innovative world language programs at military and civilian K12 school districts with JROTC programs. Seventy-five percent of the grant funding will go to programs for languages critical to national security and 25 percent for any natural human language.
4. Support $3 million in funding for the Native American Language Resource Center (NALRC) in FY24 Appropriations.
The recently established Native American Language Resource Center (NALRC) at the US Department of Education helps revitalize and ensure the persistence of endangered Native American languages by improving teaching, learning, and curriculum ,and supporting the use of technology for retention, use, development, and teaching of Native American languages. Unfortunately, the nation’s precarious financial situation and the calls by some Members of Congress to reduce federal spending imperils federal investment in language education, even for those programs that fill critical needs, such as protecting Native American languages from extinction.
“There is more that we have to do to build on this progress, and that includes making sure native languages continue to be part of the conversation. I look forward to continuing this important work together.” – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chair of Senate Indian Affairs Committee and America’s Languages Caucus Senate Co-Chair
5. Reintroduce and enact the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Act.
Despite the immense benefits of studying abroad, only a mere 10% of American college students have the opportunity to do so before graduation. Unfortunately, this number is even lower for minority students, first-generation college students, community college students, and students with disabilities. The soon to be reintroduced Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Act would establish a multi-year State Department grant program to increase the overall number of undergraduate students studying abroad annually to one million students within 10 years; increase the number of minority students, first generation college students, community college students, and students with disabilities studying abroad; and increase the number of students who study abroad in nontraditional destinations.
Conclusion
Advocating for multilingualism and language education is a crucial step towards creating a better future. Whether it is done locally or by engaging with elected officials in Congress, anyone can help make a profound impact by advocating for this important cause. With the increasing importance multilingualism in today’s globalized world, it is imperative that we prioritize and support language education. Failure to do so would result in missed opportunities for individuals, communities, and the country as a whole.
Special Thanks
LTI would like to thank JNCL-NCLIS for organizing this special event and creating materials that helped delegates present our legislative priorities to our elected officials. The list of priorities discussed in this article were taken from the materials provided to the Language Advocacy delegates.
JNCL-NCLIS units a national network of leading organization and businesses comprised of over 300,000 language professionals to advocate for equitable language learning opportunities. Learn more about how to get engaged at www.languagepolicy.org
LTI’s Commitment to Multilingualism
Since 1992, LTI has been committed to creating opportunities for multilinguals to document their academic and professional goals with the ACTFL Language Proficiency Certificate.
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