Leading the Future: Why Language Education Belongs at the Center of College and Career Readiness

Superintendents and school leaders today are asked to do more than simply manage systems. They are expected to make students future-ready, align learning to real-world demands, and ensure every graduating student is prepared for what comes next. In this work of future-proofing education, where does language fit? In fact, language education is one of the […]

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Assignments in the Real World

At Back to School Night and during Parent Teacher Conferences, the single most asked question that I am asked is some iteration of the following: “How can my child become fluent in the language they’re studying? What else can they do?” My instinct is always to horrify them by suggesting their son or daughter should […]

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From Elective to Essential: How AAPPL Testing Elevates World Languages

For years, world language teachers have lived on the fringes of data-driven education. In most schools, English, math, and science departments shape their instruction around benchmark testing while elective departments like ours are left out of the conversation. But that doesn’t mean our classrooms are any less rigorous or our instruction any less important. World […]

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Strategies Considering DLE Standards and ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines

Have you ever wondered how you can integrate the information in the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines – 2024 (Guidelines) and the ACTFL Performance Descriptors into your Dual Language Education (DLE) or Dual Language Immersion (DLI) curriculum? Are you trying to meet DLE standards and also want to ensure you’re targeting performance descriptors at specific language proficiency […]

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What’s New with AAPPL for 2025–2026

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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