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 […]
Continue readingSpeaking the Language of Care: Why Nursing and Health Professions Programs Should Teach and Credential Language Skills – LTI Blog
In today’s world, nearly every profession benefits from multilingual communication. But in healthcare, it’s not just a bonus. It’s often a matter of safety, equity, and legal responsibility. Whether it’s a nurse caring for a Spanish-speaking patient, an EMT responding to a call in a multilingual neighborhood, or a clinic receptionist helping a Chinese family […]
Continue readingCareer-Ready in Two Languages: How a CTE Program Is Preparing Students to Succeed in Today’s Workforce
The demand for multilingual professionals is growing fast. In industries such as healthcare, hospitality, construction, and emergency services, the ability to communicate across cultures isn’t just an asset; it’s a workforce necessity. As communities become more diverse and industries more globally connected, employers are increasingly seeking workers who can speak the language of their customers […]
Continue readingStrengthening the Workforce: Why Multilingualism Matters in CTE
In today’s economy, language proficiency is more than a communication tool, it is a workforce necessity. As industries expand internationally, integrate diverse workforces, and prioritize safety and efficiency, the demand for bilingual and multilingual professionals has never been higher. Yet, language credentialing often remains an untapped opportunity in Career and Technical Education (CTE). At the […]
Continue readingLeveling Up Students’ Proficiency With Level Up Village
Why a virtual exchange? Have you ever considered engaging in a virtual exchange with a classroom across the world? After trying time-consuming pen pal exchanges, I wanted to find a way to connect my middle school language learners with their peers abroad to engage in authentic conversations in the target language. My hope was to […]
Continue readingYes, the AAPPL Assesses Interpersonal Communication. Here’s How.
At the heart of proficiency-focused world language instruction is a commitment to helping learners communicate in real-life situations, to interact, share ideas, ask questions, and negotiate meaning with others. That’s why the Interpersonal Mode of Communication, as defined by ACTFL in the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines – 2024, is so important. And it’s also why some […]
Continue readingBuilding Language Program Relevance and Sustaining Growth with AAPPL Data
In today’s educational landscape, language programs face mounting challenges. Budget cuts, shifting priorities, and declining enrollment threaten the very existence of world language instruction in many schools. This trend is deeply troubling as multilingualism is an undeniable asset, and the demand for bilingual professionals is only increasing in fields like business, healthcare, politics, and national […]
Continue readingSetting Proficiency Goals and Testing to Those Goals: Ensuring Meaningful Language Learning
As language educators, we all want our students to develop real-world communication skills. But how do we ensure that our instruction aligns with the outcomes we desire? The key is setting clear proficiency goals and then selecting assessments that measure those goals effectively. Without intentional goal setting and appropriate testing, we risk misaligning instruction and […]
Continue readingAdvocacy in Virginia: The Seal of Biliteracy as an Industry-Recognized Credential
The value of an industry-recognized credential Industry-recognized credentials can include certifications, licenses, and micro-credentials and are a quick way to signal to prospective employers that you have certified skills that are valuable in the workplace. Students in high school seek these credentials for many reasons: to gain full-time employment after graduation, to gain part-time employment […]
Continue readingUltimate Outreach: Bridging K12, Postsecondary, Business, and Community
Have you heard conversations like these? Businessperson: Why does our school teach Spanish when we have a large Vietnamese population in our county? We need more trained workers – can we partner with schools or programs in the area to help us? Community service organization volunteer: We need support from the schools and businesses for […]
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