News
Entertainment
Science & Technology
Life
Culture & Art
Hobbies
News
Entertainment
Science & Technology
Culture & Art
Hobbies
- home
›- Language Magazine | Improving Literacy & Communication
›- Education & Personal Development
Language Magazine | Improving Literacy & Communication - Education & Personal Development
10 | Follower
The Courage to Learn | Language Magazine
Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey, and James Marshall explain how to communicate success criteria to motivate multilingual learners Learning is hard. In fact, there is compelling evidence that exerting mental effort feels aversive. In a meta-analytic review of 170 studies that included 358 different tasks and 4,670 unique participants, the researchers found a “strong positive associa- tion between mental effort and negative affect” (David et al., 2024, p. 1070). At the end of their study, the researchers ask an interesting question: If mental effort is consistently unpleasant, why do people still voluntarily pursue mentally effortful activities? (p. 1091). The researchers do
New Jersey to Require Classroom Instruction on Latino and Hispanic History | Language Magazine
To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has signed legislation requiring the State Board of Education to adopt New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS) in Social Studies, ensuring that the rich contributions, history, and heritage of Latino and Hispanic people are taught in K-12 schools. Under the bill, a board of education is required to include instruction on the history and contributions of Latinos and Hispanics in the curriculum of students in grades kindergarten through 12 as part of the school district's implementation of the NJSLS in Social Studies. The instruction is to be historically accurate, culturally
IBBY and UNESCO Launch Global Call for Books in Indigenous and Endangered Languages | Language Magazine
IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People) and UNESCO have launched a global call for books to be included in their Collection of Remarkable Books for Young Readers in Indigenous and Endangered Languages. The aim of the Collection is to 'protect linguistic diversity in the field of children's literature' (www.ibby.org). The Collection will be presented at the 40th IBBY World Congress, which will take place August 6-9, 2026 in Ottawa, Canada. The deadline for submissions is December 15, 2025. Regulations and Criteria WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR: - Books for children and young people (picture books, novels, biographies, graphic
The Future of Language Testing* Isn’t Testing | Language Magazine
*Actually, “assessment” is the correct term to use here, but using “testing” makes the title much more interesting. Language testing evolved from simple multiple-choice paper tests and one-on-one in-person interviews to fully web-based, adaptive tests with the launch of STAMP, the world’s first web-based language proficiency test, in 2002. Today artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the world like the World Wide Web did in the 1990s. AI will enable testing to be invisible and embedded in online learning. No longer will language skills always need to be measured by a test—an artificial construct that samples a limited number of topics
Future of ‘Seductive’ Spanish Discussed | Language Magazine
La Laguna on the island of Tenerife, Spain Spain’s Queen Letizia argued that Spanish was a “tool of seduction,” while also highlighting the work and importance of Cervantes centers around the world during the first working session of the institute’s annual meeting, which took place over three days on Spain’s is- land of Tenerife off the coast of Africa and brought together more than 70 regional managers and the institution’s leadership team. In a brief closing statement after the first session—which focused on the situation of Spanish around the world, specifically the US and Brazil—the queen thanked all the center
NY Educators Support SoR But Lack Resources To Implement | Language Magazine
Study highlights national implications for teaching reading as New York educators report gaps in preparation, uneven curriculum adoption, and high demand for professional learning A statewide survey conducted by the Science of Reading Center at SUNY New Paltz finds that while most New York educators enthusiastically support the Science of Reading, few report using it as their primary approach to literacy instruction. Released in a new whitepaper titled “How Is It Going? Insights from NYS Educators on the Implementation of the Science of Reading,” the findings came just before the September 2025 deadline for schools to attest to full implementation of the
Spanish to Exceed 600M Speakers This Year | Language Magazine
The Instituto Cervantes has launched its latest yearbook, Spanish in the World 2024, with the most up-to-date statistics on the language’s international presence and future projections. It shows that in 2024, for the first time, Spanish speakers worldwide will exceed 600 million people. This figure includes almost 500 million native speakers in addition to those with limited competence (around 78 million) and students (more than 24 million). The report also highlights that Spanish remains the second mother tongue on the planet, after Mandarin Chinese, and its relevance is recognized as it’s one of the main choices for users of platforms
Language of Identity, Language of Access | Language Magazine
Moving Beyond Binary Thinking about Language in the Classroom The concept of academic language is most widely attributed to Jim Cummins, who introduced the distinction between Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills (BICS) and Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency (CALP) in the late 1970s and early 1980s (Cummins, 1979). BICS and CALP have been canon in ESL teacher education during the four decades that followed. Amidst a global pandemic and the death of a black man under the knee of a white police officer, academic language was challenged by a new generation of scholars in 2020. A committee dedicated to Anti-Black Racism and
Language Access Encourages Integration | Language Magazine
Recent federal directives insisting upon English-only communications in public institutions should be a cause for concern not only for liberals committed to equity and inclusivity but for anyone looking to encourage integration and national unity. While the stated aim is to “streamline” services and promote English proficiency, these policies risk alienating millions of Americans, the majority of whom are US citizens, whose primary language is not English. Educators know firsthand that language is not simply a medium of instruction but the bridge by which communities connect, information flows, and opportunities are accessed. Restricting institutional communications to English alone is counterproductive
Pre-K to K Activities to Enhance Fine Motor Skills | Language Magazine
When children master tasks like holding a pencil or buttoning a shirt, they gain more than skills—they gain independence. These everyday moments are where confidence begins to grow.In our free on-demand webinar, you'll learn how to nurture these skills and assist your students' journey toward independence.
Igniting a Lifelong Love of Literacy | Language Magazine
Elizabeth DeWitt unlocks the power of emergent writing in literacy development Emergent literacy encompasses the foundational skills that underpin children’s later success in reading and writing. While early reading development often receives more attention, emergent writing plays an equally important role in supporting well-balanced literacy development. Through a child’s first encounter with drawing, scribbling, and letter-like forms, they will begin making sense of print—and of their own voices. When children are encouraged to write from an early age, they engage with language in meaningful ways. These first marks on paper are not just early communication attempts; they are the beginning
CA Bill Attempts to Address Bilingual Teacher Shortage | Language Magazine
A bill (AB 833) to expand California’s teacher exchange program with Mexico has been passed by the state’s Assembly and Senate Appropriations Committee in response to the shortage of Spanish-speaking teachers in the California public school system. However, even if it is passed, the Trump administration’s recent reduction of J-1 visas and other visas needed by international teachers may limit the flow of teachers from Mexico. AB 833 unanimously passed both of the Assembly Committee votes and passed the Assembly 77–1 with one member abstaining. Authored by Assemblyman David Alvarez (D-San Diego), the bill would require the State Board of
State Reps Strengthen Chinese Education Ties with Taiwan | Language Magazine
In June, an eight-member delegation from the National Council of State Supervisors for Languages (NCSSFL), including its president Melissa Monroe, vice president Stacy Lyon, and president elect Cathleen Skinner, went on an official visit to Taiwan, organized by the Ministry of Education and FICHET—the Foundation for International Cooperation in Higher Education of Taiwan. During their visit, they were accompanied by Sophie Chou, Director of the Education Division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the U.S. and they met with education authorities and discussed possible ways to strengthen international cooperation and provide practical support for Mandarin language education.
Growing Demand for Korean Spurs New Sejong Institutes Worldwide | Language Magazine
This year, 11 new King Sejong Institutes will open across nine countries, according to South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. With the new centers, there will be a total of 252 institutes in 87 countries. Named after King Sejong the Great (1397-1450), who created the Korean alphabet Hangeul, the King Sejong Institute Foundation, which oversees Korean language education abroad, is expanding its network to ease waitlists and meet growing demand for Korean classes worldwide. In Egypt, where the only KSI in Cairo faced a waitlist of more than 1,200 students, two new centers will open at Ain Shams
AI AS A TOOL FOR INCLUSIVE BILINGUAL EDUCATION | Language Magazine
Lizdelia Piñón believes AI won’t replace bilingual educators, but it can empower them Bilingual educators often serve as a bridge for students navigating two worlds academically, linguistically,and culturally. But the demands placed on these educators continue to grow.Many are tasked with meeting rigorous academic standards, differentiating instruction for multiple language proficiency levels, and creating culturally relevant lessons, often without sufficient resources or support. In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a powerful partner to meet these challenges. Serving a Growing Student Population In the US, over five million emergent bilingual students (also referred to as
Senate Recommends Retention of Education Department and Level Funding | Language Magazine
The Senate Appropriations Committee has advanced the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS) appropriations bill. The bill, which includes funding for key education, workforce, and health programs, was approved by the committee with a 26-3 vote, and is now headed to the full Senate for consideration. The bill allocates roughly $200 billion—similar to the previous year's enacted funding, including $79 billion for the Department of Education, exceeding President Trump's proposal by $12.3 billion. It emphasizes support for programs like Title I-A, IDEA Part B, the Rural Education Achievement Program, Head Start, and
Spain Introduces Fast-Track in Response to US Student Restrictions | Language Magazine
Spain’s Minister of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration, Elma Saiz, has announced the preparation of a fast-track access route to the Spanish university system for international students affected by the recent immigration restrictions imposed in the U.S. Assut de l'Or Bridge, Valencia, Spain. Approved by the Council of Ministers, the policy, dubbed EduBridge to Spain, is part of the government's strategy to strengthen Spain's potential as a host of international talent. 'Spain has enormous potential as a leading destination for global talent, as evidenced by its strong economic performance and the fact that three million foreigners have chosen our country
Nine Dimensions of Scaffolding | Language Magazine
Linguistic diversity among our multilingual students in grades pre-K–12 has been steadily increasing over the last 15 years, and with changing classroom dynamics, we need strong, intentional instruction to meet their unique needs. Yet, all too often, novice and experienced teachers may teach as if they are working with students who come from monolingual, English-speaking American backgrounds, despite today’s classrooms being far more culturally and linguistically diverse than ever before. To truly support every learner, start from an asset-based approach—recognizing and valuing the rich linguistic and cultural resources multilingual students bring to the classroom. How can educators create a support
Leading Effective Curriculum-Based Learning | Language Magazine
New academic standards have drastically changed our expectations for student learning. However, most teachers have never experienced the type of learning called for in the World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages (National Standards Collaborative Board, 2015). The present time provides a unique opportunity to change world language education for all students through enhanced views of teacher leadership. Richard Elmore (2009) proposes that to improve student learning on a large scale, we must focus teacher leadership on the instructional core. The instructional core includes three critical elements: (1) the need to reform based on modern frameworks for developing students’ local and global
Skibidi Lexicographer Gets Delulu Over Tradwife | Language Magazine
Skibidi, delulu, tradwife, and broligarchy are among the more than 6000 new English words, phrases and meanings that have been added to the Cambridge Dictionary, the world’s most popular online dictionary for learners of English, in the last 12 months.The words have been picked up from TikTok or YouTube and grown in use across social and mainstream media, linked to celebrities and influencers, as well as Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, whose famous quote is “delulu with no solulu.” Skibidi, for which there are many meanings, including cool or bad, or which can be used with no real meaning as
Defining Francoresponsabilité | Language Magazine
French is both a global and a local language—spoken by over 300 million worldwide, but also an American language. While French has been part of our American identity since the earliest days of the European era in North America, it is also spoken by new arrivals from France and from around the world. The current status of French in the US is complex, both within and beyond the classroom, and Francoresponsabilité, the intentional use of French in our daily lives, in the workplace, and in our society, is essential to support the vibrancy of French both as an additional world
Reimagine the Science of Reading Through a Multilingual Lens | Language Magazine
As the Science of Reading (SoR) gains traction across states, schools, and teacher preparation programs, a pressing question has emerged: How well does the SoR framework serve multilingual learners (MLs)? The Reading League (2021, para. 1) defines the SoR as “a vast, interdisciplinary body of scientifically-based research about reading and issues related to reading and writing,” drawing from fields such as cognitive psychology, linguistics, neuroscience, and education. Proponents champion its research-based foundations and its potential to improve reading outcomes through explicit, systematic instruction. For many educators, the SoR has provided much-needed clarity, structure, and a corrective to years of inconsistent
A Conversation About Welcome Newcomers Stories | Language Magazine
REGISTER NOW FOR TOMORROW'S WEBINAR Join Saddleback’s Director of Literacy, Jill Haney, and Anna Davis Saeli, Educator and Interviewer, for the powerful new Welcome Newcomers Stories library. Date: Wednesday, August 20, 2025 Time: 2:00 p.m. PDT / 5:00 p.m. EDT In this webinar, Jill will introduce Welcome Newcomers Stories, a brand-new library designed to give voice to teen immigrants through authentic, student-driven narratives. You'll get an insider’s look at what’s included in the boxed set, from the uniquely designed readersto teaching resources built for real classroom impact. Anna Saeli has been teaching all levels of high school English learners for
CA Devotes $200M to Early Literacy | Language Magazine
California’s budget will include $200 million to fund a comprehensive statewide approach to early literacy, dubbed the Golden State Literacy Plan. Key to the plan is California Assembly Bill 1454, which passed unanimously. It requires that credential program standards, professional development, and state-adopted instructional materials align with “Evidence-based means of teaching foundational reading skills, which shall include explicit and systematic instruction in print concepts, phonological awareness, phonics and word recognition, and fluency to all pupils, and attending to oral language development, vocabulary and background knowledge, and comprehension, including tiered supports for pupils with reading difficulties, English Learners, and pupils with
Serving Spanish Heritage Students | Language Magazine
In recognition of her work teaching and designing courses for Spanish heritage-language students, Kelley Howarth received a Herman Award for Specialized Pedagogy. Students who grow up speaking Spanish in their homes or communities sometimes lose confidence in their language when they get to school. “For a lot of students there’s a linguistic trauma they have experienced,” said Kelley Howarth, a senior instructor II who teaches in the Spanish Heritage Language Program. “Often they’re told not to speak Spanish in school, or they are told they are not speaking the right Spanish.” As one of the leaders of teaching Spanish to
New Reading Standards for Alaska Native Languages | Language Magazine
The Alaska Board of Education has unanimously approved new reading standards for Alaska Native languages, so students from kindergarten to third grade can now have their reading skills evaluated in an Alaska Native language instead of English. The new standards, which are broader than the state’s current reading standards, give students learning an Alaska Native language another option to meet reading requirements set by the Alaska Reads Act. Schools are allowed to fit the standards to their cultural and linguistic needs. The standards recognize students can achieve literacy in state languages other than English. Jamie Shanley, assistant director of education
English’s Feminine Spin | Language Magazine
When English speakers think about “vocabulary,” we tend to think of words that were borrowed into the language from Latin or Greek or French—like the words vocabulary and language. So many new words from these foreign or ancient sources entered English that, by the mid-1500s, there was a backlash against them, and a movement arose to create words with Old English roots to displace Latin borrowings. For example, some writers used words like forespeache to mean “preface” and endsay for “conclusion.” A few of these are still with us; naysay was an artificial concoction invented during this period to provide
Free ‘Future Forests’ Digital Toolkit and Next-Gen Class VR Headsets | Language Magazine
Avantis Education, a global leader in virtual- and augmented-reality (VR/AR) technology for K–12 schools, is offering a free Future Forest digital toolkit that teachers can use to take students on an interactive VR journey through a rainforest. It includes a VR scene—viewable with or without a ClassVR headset—that allows students to explore the rainforest and presents them with two choices that highlight the consequences of deforestation versus sustainable practices. The toolkit also includes a comprehensive downloadable resource pack filled with curriculum-aligned lesson plans and activity ideas that highlight the importance of rainforests and the communities that call them home. The
Spanish Pride | Language Magazine
Víctor Fuentes, Photo Credit: Debra Herrick Since the 16th century, the Spanish language has been interwoven into the fabric of American history, shaping its literary and cultural landscapes. Yet much of this literary tradition remains underexplored. In Florilegio, Víctor Fuentes, a professor emeritus at UC Santa Barbara, brings together a collection of Spanish-language texts written within the US, spanning from the 16th to the mid-20th century. The book’s title, meaning “flower picking,” reflects its purpose: to gather and showcase a literary tradition that has long flourished in the US, even if it has often been overlooked. “This literature is part
State Literacy Funding Update: Wisconsin Court Delays Literacy Funding | Language Magazine
In June, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that the state legislature could continue withholding funds intended for childhood literacy education under the Department of Public Instruction. The court ruled unanimously that Democratic governor Tony Evers had overstepped his partial veto power— intended only for appropriations bills— when he adapted the 2023 Wisconsin Act 100 to fund a “literacy program” instead of a “literacy coaching program,” which had the intended effect of combining two separate appropriations into one. Writing for the Supreme Court’s unanimous majority, Justice Rebecca Grassl Bradley said the Wisconsin state constitution “does not authorize the governor to partially
Putin Supports Global Russian Language Promotion | Language Magazine
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed support for a proposal to create a national center that would promote Russian as a second language around the world, similar to China’s Confucius Institutes, Spain’s Instituto Cervantes, the UK’s British Council, and France’s Alliance Française. “I think creating a special center will benefit the promotion of the Russian language,” Putin said at a council meeting on state language policy implementation. He ordered the Kremlin and his cabinet to begin work on a “university-based national interdepartmental scientific and methodological center for the promotion of the Russian language in the world.” Nikita Gusev, acting chancellor
Making School Part of the Community | Language Magazine
Multilingual learners are the fastest growing population of students in our country. If you think about the history and legacy of multilingual learners and young people who speak languages other than English in our schools and communities, they’ve always been here all along the way, and their numbers are exponentially growing. Multilingual learners and families are not a monolith, which means the levels of support that we provide have to be nuanced and personalized. We also have to think critically and deeply in terms of how to engage these students, and not just assume they’re “unable to do something” just
Empowering Latino Leaders in Education | Language Magazine
Ulysses Navarrete spells out the national mission of ALAS The Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS) is a national organization committed to advancing equitable educational opportunities for Latino and Latina students across the U.S. Founded on the principle that leadership matters, especially leadership that reflects and understands the communities it serves, ALAS works to cultivate Latino leaders in education and influence national policy to remove barriers that have historically limited the success of Latino students. At the heart of ALAS’ mission is the firm belief that representation in education leadership is not just important, it is transformational. Latino students
Supreme Court Backs Religious Beliefs in Schools | Language Magazine
Last month, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of parents who objected to LGBTQ-themed books that a Maryland county approved for use in elementary school classrooms. In a 6–3 vote, the court backed the parents’ claim that the Montgomery County Board of Education’s decision not to allow an opt-out option for their children violated their religious rights under the Constitution’s First Amendment, which protects religious expression. “The board’s introduction of the ‘LGBTQ+ inclusive’ storybooks, along with its decision to withhold opt-outs, places an unconstitutional burden on the parents’ rights to the free exercise of their religion,” Justice Samuel Alito wrote
Language Revitalization Boosts Indigenous Health | Language Magazine
New research shows that reviving Indigenous languages may do more than preserve culture—it may also improve public health. In British Columbia, First Nations youth who speak their ancestral language are less likely to die by suicide. In Australia’s Northern Territory, community-led language initiatives are linked to better mental health outcomes. Across English-speaking settler-colonial countries—Canada, the United States, Australia, and Aotearoa/New Zealand—growing evidence supports what Indigenous communities have long asserted: language is health. A new scoping review—a type of research that surveys and synthesizes existing studies—brings scientific rigor to this claim. Published in the open-access journal Language and Health, the review
$6B Federal Funds for ELLs, PD, Literacy to be Released | Language Magazine
The Education Department has announced that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has completed its review of the programs subject to the Trump’s administration’s withholding of $6 billion in funding on July 1 to ensure that the spending aligned with the “White House’s priorities.” Money will be sent to states and schools next week for English Language instruction, professional development, adult literacy, and other programs, the Education Department said . The OMB reviewed $2 billion in grants for teachers’ professional development and recruitment; $890 million for English Language Learners; $715 million for adult literacy programs; $376 million to
Chinese Takes Off in the Peruvian Andes | Language Magazine
The first Chinese language teaching center established in the ancient Incan capital of Cusco, Peru, has sparked a wave of enthusiasm for learning about Chinese culture in the local community, the Chinese director of the Confucius Institute in Peru told the Global Times. Established by the Confucius Institute at Ricardo Palma University in Peru, the center in Cusco currently has five classes with 54 students. Many are tour guides or university students hoping to enhance their career prospects and find opportunities with Chinese enterprises in the future, according to Sun Yan, the Chinese director of the Confucius Institute at Ricardo
Bridging Cultures and Classrooms - Language Magazine
At a time when global competence and cultural literacy are no longer optional in education, Delaware has taken a bold step forward. Through a visionary partnership between the Delaware Department of Education and the University of Delaware, the Delaware Teacher’s Program in Spain—an innovative study abroad initiative—is reshaping how Spanish language educators are trained and supported. The program provides K–12 teachers with a powerful combination of immersive experiences, academic coursework, and professional collaboration, all situated in the vibrant cultural landscape of Cáceres, Spain. Now entering its third year, the program was designed to respond directly to the needs identified by