As increased emphasis is put on the economic advantages of specific coursework, some language educators may feel like the value of courses in the humanities is being undermined. However, a look at workforce needs and trends reveals language ability is not just a nice-to-have; in many cases, it’s a necessity. Industries such as state and […]
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What is the difference between machine scoring systems and chatbots? The term Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a buzzword used in various businesses, organizations, and media in general. Many have warned about the dangers of using such a phrase as a blanket term to describe technologies that are not truly AI, as it tends to […]
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How many bilinguals or multilinguals are there in the US? In 2020, researcher François Grossjean suggested that the number of bilinguals is particularly hard to nail down because the Census Bureau doesn’t track the number of people who use multiple languages in their everyday lives. However, they do ask some specific language-related questions: “Does this […]
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By Gosia Jaros-White, MA and Michael Herrera, EdD Adult and continuing education has always been about opening doors, providing opportunities for individuals to re- or upskill, re-enter the workforce, or advance in their careers and gain valuable credentials in the process. Today, the need for high-impact credentialing is greater than ever. In a rapidly shifting […]
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In a world where nearly every industry operates across borders, culturally, linguistically, and economically, multilingualism has quickly become a necessity and a strategic advantage. Yet many post-secondary programs still treat language learning as peripheral or elective, or even worse, cut language programs altogether. That’s a missed opportunity, not only for students’ future careers, but for […]
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Should I teach to the test? That sounds like the wrong approach, at least wrong if the test is not the right evidence of learners reaching the learning goals. But what if the test is the right test? What if the test accurately represents your learning targets, that is, what you want learners to be […]
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By Dámaris Mayans, PhD For many heritage speakers of Spanish—those who grew up hearing and speaking the language at home but received most of their formal education in English (Valdés, 2000) —reading and writing in Spanish can feel like uncharted territory. While oral fluency may come naturally, academic writing often does not. So, what happens […]
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The Seal of Biliteracy is an important and meaningful recognition of learners’ achievements in language learning. It celebrates linguistic diversity, honors learners’ heritage languages, and promotes the value of multilingualism in our schools and communities. But to truly support learners’ futures in college, careers, and beyond, it’s essential to look further than the Seal itself […]
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At ACTFL® and Language Testing International® (LTI), we are committed to delivering the best possible assessment experiences for educators and learners. We always innovate, always listen, and always improve. As we kick off the new school year, here’s what’s new and updated with the ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL). AAPPL Test […]
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The ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL) for American Sign Language (ASL) is launching this fall, bringing the trusted ACTFL® gold standard to ASL for the very first time. The test was developed in collaboration with d/Deaf and hearing ASL experts and educators from across the country, as well as psychometricians and […]
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