California is embracing the challenge of preparing its students to thrive in a globalized society through the Global California 2030 initiative. This ambitious mission “is to equip students with world language skills to better appreciate and more fully engage with the rich and diverse mixture of cultures, heritages, and languages found in California and the […]
Continue readingLet the Data Show You the Way
Dr. Rubio is a nationally recognized world language scholar who has published extensively on the topic of dual language immersion teaching and learning. In 2023, Dr. Rubio joined the faculty of Yale University as the new Director of the Center for Language Study. Prior to that, Dr. Rubio served as a Professor of Spanish Linguistics […]
Continue readingExploring and Adapting to the Linguistic Landscape of Today and Tomorrow
Are your language skills attuned to contemporary trends and global demands? Whether you are a bilingual or multilingual professional contemplating learning a new language or aiming to enrich your existing language skills, the question of which language to choose may linger. Some languages are considered particularly valuable to acquire, considering diverse factors. Which languages could […]
Continue readingForeign Language Anxiety: What Is It and How to Overcome It?
As a language learner, have you found yourself filled with dread when needing to speak in a new language? Your heart is racing, palms sweating, and words escaping your mind when trying to speak. If this scenario sounds familiar, you’re not alone. In fact, this heightened feeling of stress has a name: Foreign Language Anxiety […]
Continue reading25 Examples of Spoonerisms
A spoonerism is a mispronunciation of a short phrase. It occurs when a person swaps word sounds while verbalizing two or more words. “Take a shower” becomes “shake a tower” when the brain’s speech center momentarily causes confusion or a person loses focus while speaking. While spoonerisms are common in English, they can occur in […]
Continue readingOne Test, Many Advantages: Proving Your Language Proficiency with ACTFL Assessments
In today’s interconnected and globalized world, language proficiency has become a highly sought-after skill. For students, professionals, or anyone interested in expanding their cultural horizons, having a reliable and recognized method to verify language abilities is crucial. This is where ACTFL assessments come into play, offering a multitude of advantages beyond just being a language […]
Continue readingMake Your Streak Worth It
Learning a new language can be a challenging and rewarding experience. With the advancements in technology, it has become easier to learn a language through language apps such as Duolingo, Babbel, and Rosetta Stone. These language learning apps have gamified the language learning process, and they make it convenient to learn at your own pace. […]
Continue readingReasons for the AAPPL Beyond the Seal of Biliteracy
My introduction to the AAPPL test came with the inception of the Seal of Biliteracy in the State of Iowa. Like many world language educators in Iowa at that time, my department began investigating the different ways that we could help our students prove their qualifications and obtain the Seal. Earning the Seal of Biliteracy […]
Continue readingWhy Language Training is Critical to a Business
The world is becoming more and more interconnected every day, and new technologies and digital platforms capable of bringing brands to any customer with access to the internet are the driving force behind this unstoppable phenomenon. Additionally, to help facilitate access to these new international markets, businesses are striving to increase cross-border trade, international investment, and […]
Continue readingGrowing Up Bilingual as a Heritage Language Speaker
Who is considered a heritage speaker? Heritage speakers are those who have been exposed to their heritage language (i.e., their first language) at home. They are introduced to a second language beginning at a very young age through contact with people outside their home or when they start going to school. Having grown up speaking […]
Continue reading