Language Advocacy Days (LAD), organized by JNCL-NCLIS, is an annual virtual event where delegates advocate for language education-related issues with their elected officials. LAD aims to address challenges in language education and promote policies that support language learning. For delegates, attending these events means advocating for legislative changes that can improve language education nationwide. It is also an empowering event as every voice we raise, every policy we champion, is a step towards a more inclusive, connected, and prosperous future. Language is not just a tool for communication; it’s a gateway to understanding, empathy, and opportunity. By investing in language education, we’re investing in the next generation’s ability to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.
Here are the legislative requests that were brought forth to the Senate and House officials:
World Language Education Assistance Program (World LEAP) Act (H.R.5603)
Challenge: Lack of federal program funding for innovative world language and dual language programs.
Solution: H.R.5603 proposes a competitive grant program to establish and enhance world language programs in K-12 school districts, addressing teacher shortages, ensuring access for all students, and promoting diversity in the teacher workforce. Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) introduced the World LEAP Act in the House with bi-partisan support. It has yet to be introduced in the Senate.
Legislative ask: Co-sponsor the World LEAP Act.
Biliteracy Education Seal and Teaching (BEST) Act (H.R.7007/S.3595)
Challenge: Limited federal support for implementing and scaling Seal of Biliteracy programs. Federal funding is needed to support equitable implementation of Seal of Biliteracy programs at the state and district levels.
Solution: The BEST Act provides funding to states to establish and improve Seal of Biliteracy programs, making it accessible to all students, especially low-income students.
Legislative ask: Co-sponsor the revised BEST Act.
Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Act (H.R.4588/S.2261)
Challenge: Low participation rates in study abroad programs.
Solution: This act aims to expand study abroad opportunities for undergraduate students, particularly prioritizing minority, first-generation, and disabled students, and diversifying study destinations.
Legislative ask: Co-sponsor the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Act.
Retaining the Language Attainment Research Provision in the Advancing Research in Education Act (S.3392)
Challenge: Lack of research and data on language education.
Solution: Support retaining language attainment research provisions in the AREA Act, enabling collection of data on foreign language coursework availability and access in K-12 and higher education.
Legislative ask: Support retaining in the final AREA Act legislation the provision that requires the U.S. Department of Education to “collect, report, analyze, and disseminate statistical data…” related to K12 and higher education on “the availability of, and access to, foreign language coursework.”
Priority Funding Requests FY24
Funding Request for the World Language Advancement and Readiness Grants Program (WLARA)
Challenge: Threatened federal investments in language education, even for those programs that fill critical needs and have demonstrated success.
Solution: Requesting $15 million for WLARA grants in FY24 appropriations to support innovative language programs in districts with at least one JROTC program and DoDEA schools, focusing on critical languages and promoting diversity in language education.
Legislative ask: Provide $15 million for WLARA Grants in FY24 DOD Appropriations.
Funding Request for the Native American Language Resource Center (NALRC)
Challenge: Threatened federal investments in language education, including Native American languages, even for those programs that fill critical needs and have demonstrated success.
Solution: Seeking $3 million in FY24 appropriations to support NALRC’s efforts in preserving, promoting, and teaching Native American languages, aligning with the Native American Languages Act’s objectives.
Legislative ask: Support $3 million in funding for NALRC in FY24 Appropriations.
Title III
Challenge: Threatened federal investment in Title III.
Solution: Title III funding is crucial to the academic success of English Language Learners, and this program provides bedrock funding and technical assistance for the growth of Dual Language Immersion programs across our nation.
Legislative ask: Support to maintain funding for Title III in FY24 Appropriations.
Title VI HEA/Fulbright-Hays International and Foreign Language Education Programs
Challenge: Threatened federal investment in Title VI.
Solution: Title VI/FH funds undergraduate through postgraduate research and education in foreign languages and world regions. Title VI domestic programs provide grants and fellowships to institutions of higher education to develop language and international education programs.
Legislative ask: Support to maintain funding for Title VI/FH in FY24 Appropriations.
Conclusion
These legislative requests aim to address key challenges in language education and promote policies that support diverse language learning opportunities across the United States. Advocating for multilingualism and language education stands as a pivotal endeavor in shaping a brighter tomorrow. Whether championed on a grassroots level or through dialogue with elected representatives in Congress, every voice holds the power to enact meaningful change. Given the growing significance of multilingual skills in our interconnected global landscape, it is paramount that we elevate and endorse language education initiatives. Failing to do so would result in missing opportunities for individuals, communities, and the nation at large.
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 was taken from the materials provided to the Language Advocacy delegates.
JNCL-NCLIS unites 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 attain their academic and professional goals with the ACTFL Language Proficiency Certificate.
Watch our JNCL-NCLIS LAD24 Video
Watch Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) talk about his journey to multilingualism and its importance to his life and career.
