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Language Magazine | Improving Literacy & Communication - Education & Personal Development
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Teaching Cooperatively across Borders - Language Magazine
“Magandang umaga! Kumusta kayo, mga bata?” “¡Buenos días!” As students enter their classrooms, brightly decorated with colorful masks, piñatas, or flags, they may be greeted warmly in languages such as Filipino, Spanish, or Twi. These schoolchildren are not entering their classes in the Philippines, Latin America, or Ghana, but schoolrooms across the US, led by experienced professional educators who have come from around the world not only to teach essential curriculum but to share their languages, traditions, and cultures through their participation in the J-1 Teacher program. The cultural activities integrated throughout the exchange are truly the heart of this
Learning from Long Shadows - Language Magazine
My decade-long involvement in shadowing projects across the country has taught me that the average percentage of time that multilingual learners (MLLs) are speaking is often 5–10%. This is in contrast to what researchers like Pauline Gibbons (2015) tell us—that MLLs should be spending at least 30% of their school day in academic talk. This deafening silence has also affected virtual classrooms, where our MLLs are typically invisible and all students may have few speaking opportunities. Additionally, five major lessons learned after ten years of shadowing include the following: • Shadowing is not a panacea—there must be a plan to
Winners Announced for 2024 Crystal Apple Awards - Language Magazine
School Specialty today announced the 2024 winners of its annual Crystal Apple Awards, which celebrate teachers who embody inspiration, leadership, and passion in teaching. Each year, students, parents, administrators, fellow teachers, family, and friends nominate teachers who go above and beyond to touch the lives of students every day. School Specialty selects 10 finalists from the nominees, and three winners are then selected by public vote. School Specialty received a record 611 nominations this year, nearly doubling last year's total. This year's winners will each receive a personalized trophy and a $500 gift certificate from School Specialty for themselves, as
Podcast Seeks to Legitimize US Spanish - Language Magazine
Spanish speakers in the US, among linguists and nonlinguists, have been denigrated for the way that they speak, says UC Berkeley sociolinguist Justin Davidson. It’s part of the country’s long history of scrutiny of nonmonolingual English speakers, he says, dating back to the early 20th century. “It’s groups in power, it’s discourses and collective communities, that sort of socially determine what kinds of words and what kinds of language are acceptable and unacceptable,” says Davidson, an associate professor in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese. But the US is a Spanish-speaking country, he says, and it’s time for us as
Chinese ‘Linguistic Coup’ in East Africa - Language Magazine
As part of its goal to displace American influence, China is winning linguistic hearts in East Africa (a bloc of 300 million people), by publishing the Xi Jinping Thought propaganda book in the local Swahili language. Millions of Swahili speakers in East and Central Africa are sampling China’s ruler’s thoughts in their native language. Xi’s Brain “We love it, picking Chairman Xi’s brain in the Swahili language,” said Suleimani Konjo, coordinator of the Chinese–Tanzania Friendship Forum, an informal lobby group in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, the region’s second-largest economy. Swahili is a mass indigenous African dialect spoken by nearly 200
Ukraine Focuses on Minority Languages - Language Magazine
Last month, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, in cooperation with the European Union and the Council of Europe, organized a round table event focusing on minority languages. The session, attended by over 130 representatives from schools, educational institutions, national minorities, and embassies, focused on presenting and discussing the “Road Map for Creating Conditions for Improving the Quality of Education in the State Language and Indigenous Peoples’ Languages in General Secondary Education Institutions of Ukraine for 2023–2027.” The road map outlines measures to enhance language education for Indigenous peoples and national minorities in the school system. The deputy
Learning Chinese Stimulates Both Temporal Lobes - Language Magazine
New evidence suggests that studying Chinese and learning to write Chinese characters may train a whole array of cognitive abilities not developed by learning other languages and writing systems. A study conducted by researchers from the UK’s Wellcome Trust found that “people who speak Mandarin Chinese use both temporal lobes of their brain to understand the language.” This is very different from English-language speakers who use only the left temporal lobe. The difference is evident because speakers of Chinese “use intonation to distinguish between completely different meanings of particular words,” according to BBC News. In addition to the unique tonal
California District Introduces Hindi - Language Magazine
The board of Silicon Valley’s Fremont Unified School District (FUSD) has voted to introduce Hindi as a world language into its curriculum, making it the first public school district in California to offer Hindi. The FUSD School Board voted four to one to launch a pilot program that will see Hindi in the curriculum of Horner Middle School and Irvington High School for the 2024–2025 school year. The decision has been met with great enthusiasm and support from the Indian American community, which makes up nearly 65% of the student population in these two schools. The battle to include Hindi
California Bill Requiring Kindergarten Exempts Early English Testing - Language Magazine
Parallel California Assembly (2226) and Senate (1056) Bills have been introduced that would require children to attend one year of kindergarten before enrolling in first grade, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. An accompanying Assembly Bill (2268) would expressly state that the requirement for pupils in kindergarten to be assessed in English listening and speaking does not include pupils in transitional kindergarten. Currently, kindergarten is not required for students in California, but it is considered a grade level, is factored in calculating average daily attendance (ADA), and is included in the academic content standards, curriculum frameworks, and instructional materials. However,
Mastering Reading - Language Magazine
Eastern Tennessee State UniversityProgram title: MEd in Reading Format: OnlineLength: Four semesters Credit hours: 36 credit hoursSpecializations: English as a second language; special education interventionist www.etsu.edu/online/graduate-degrees/reading-education.php University of MassachusettsProgram title: MEd and EdS Reading and Language, licensure and nonlicensure optionsFormat: OnlineLength: 18–24 monthsCredit hours: 30–33UMass Lowell’s School of Education offers a master’s degree and an education specialist’s degree in reading and language that provides experienced teachers with opportunities to advance their knowledge and practice in literacy education. Licensure and nonlicensure options are available. The licensure option is approved by the Massachusetts Department of Education.https://www.uml.edu/education/advance-teacher/me-rl.aspx Endicott CollegeProgram title: MS in Reading and Literacy Instruction Format:
Iñupiaq in Action - Language Magazine
This past fall, we were writing animal counting stories in my first-grade class. I had one of the best experiences as I was working with my students to develop the stories. The students were going to have a choice to write primarily in English or primarily in Iñupiaq. Since we were writing about animals, I was reviewing the animal names in English and Iñupiaq to create a word wall to support them in their writing. I would flash an animal and the students would shout, “Tuttu!”“Aarigaa,” I’d say, “What is it in English?”Silence.“Tuttu is caribou. Suna una?” I would say
School Specialty Unveils $50,000 School Makeover Sweepstakes - Language Magazine
School Specialty is excited to announce the launch of its first-ever $50,000 School Makeover Sweepstakes. The sweepstakes invites eligible individuals to nominate their school and experience the transformational power of reimagined learning spaces. One grand prize winner will receive a makeover for their school worth up to $50,000, as well as a $500 School Specialty gift card for themselves. The School Specialty Design Team will collaborate directly with the winning school to bring their makeover to life. Whether it's a makerspace, media center, STEM lab, or any other learning environment, School Specialty will help the winning school recognize their vision
Project Seeks to Preserve Syriac - Language Magazine
Texas A&M University historian Dr. Daniel Schwartz and likeminded colleagues from around the world have been working to help preserve Syriac and its 2,000 years of cultural heritage, creating Syriaca.org, a cyberinfrastructure to link Syriac literature to persons, places, manuscripts, and key concepts. Last year, they received assistance from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)—a three-year, $350,000 humanities collections and reference resources grant to “preserve and provide access to collections essential to scholarship, education, and public programming in the humanities.” The grant marks the team’s third from NEH since 2012. Syriac is a dialect of Aramaic with origins in
Ensuring Equity in Reading Instruction - Language Magazine
Early one summer, my parents moved our family into a 900-square-foot house in the central part of town that would become home for my siblings and me for the next 25 years. We didn’t have much, so it only took a few truckloads to get us from the old apartment building, only a few blocks from one of the area’s busiest US/Mexico border crossings, to our new palace. As a six-year-old boy, I was amazed I now had a yard and sidewalks that were safe for me to use to explore the rest of the block. My mother, her mother,
Deconstructing English Learner Labels, Constructing Multilingual Schools - Language Magazine
Across tens of thousands of US schools, a myriad of labels, from limited English proficient, former limited English proficient, and English language learners to English learners, have been assigned to students who speak languages in addition to English. These designations, often condensed into acronyms like LEPS, FLEPS, ELLs, and ELs, essentialize and constrain students’ educational experiences. Students learning the dominant, majoritized language, English, are legally and prescriptively labeled, unlike their classmates learning “foreign,” “modern,” or “world” languages. For instance, students learning French are not legally referred to as French learners or FLs. Research has determined that labeling students, regardless of
Opera for Educators - Language Magazine
LA Opera has experts in languages, music, and history, ready to work with educators to integrate opera into classrooms. The program which runs from September through May takes place over seven Saturday sessions, when participants listen to gorgeous music and discuss the latest in arts scholarship with experts in the field over Zoom. Classes do not include admission to mainstage opera productions, but LAUSD salary points and UCLA extension credits are available. From April 6 through 27, LA Opera will present Giuseppe Verdi's beloved romantic tragedy, La Traviata, starring acclaimed American soprano Rachel Willis-Sørensen. The multilingual cast includes Armenian tenor
Breaking Down the Monolingual Wall II - Language Magazine
Dual language education (DLE) programs are uniquely positioned to be models of culturally and linguistically sustaining pedagogy that can shape instruction of multilingual language learners nationally. However, to achieve this goal, DLE programs must prioritize a culturally responsive framework. Here’s a short scenario to set the stage for the topic and briefly define culturally responsive teaching, sharing why it is a critical framework for multilingual learners in DLE programs. Scenario: A Spanish–English dual language immersion program in an urban elementary school uses a 50/50 model with Spanish and English integrated equally throughout the curriculum. The program strives for an equal
AI and Embedded Technology Create Opportunities for Teachers and Students - Language Magazine
Since ChatGPT was released a year ago, one of the leading topics for educators and edtech developers has been how to integrate AI into teaching and instruction. For all of the concerns about how AI is going to change the world as we know it, it might be helpful to review how the evolution of technology has improved the products teachers are using every day. When Lexia began in 1984, the vision of using technology for explicit, systematic, and personalized instruction was a novel concept for schools and educators. It was a fringe idea when first introduced. But over the
UN to Promote News in Local African Languages - Language Magazine
The United Nations (UN) is ready to partner with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to promote production of news in local languages across Africa, according to Ronald Kayanja, the director of the UN Information Centre (UNIC) in Nigeria. Kayanja cited the inability of the media in Africa to project countries in the continent positively and promote the understanding of news content in local vernacular as major challenges to journalism on the continent. According to him, the UN wants to promote Hausa as the second most-widely spoken Indigenous African language, saying, “After Swahili, you have Hausa as the second largest
ALAS Accepting Applications for its Leadership Academies - Language Magazine
The Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS) is accepting applications now through April 15, 2024 for its Superintendents Leadership Academy (SLA) and National Principal Leadership Academy (NPLA). The academies provide coaching, mentoring, and support to improve and expand opportunities for emerging school system leaders. They include a mix of in-person and virtual sessions that help participants acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to serve in principal or superintendent roles in school systems, with an emphasis on school systems that serve primarily Latino and other historically marginalized students. Participants in the Academies must be members of ALAS. The association will
‘Massive’ Expansion of Spanish-Language News - Language Magazine
Entravision (NYSE: EVC), a global advertising solutions, media and technology company, is adding 38 new weekly newscasts on its Univision affiliated television stations across the U.S. The expanded news coverage now delivers more than 300 hours of weekly news coverage, across 121 newscasts, to the influential Latino electorate. “With 27 years of providing trusted local news to Latinos, we understand the vital role that local news plays as a lifeline to our communities,” said Jeffery A. Liberman, president and Chief Operating Officer. “We are unveiling an unprecedented level of Spanish-language news coverage in anticipation of an unprecedented election year. Starting
Taiwan Chinese Test Breaks Record - Language Magazine
Taiwan has been actively promoting Chinese language education overseas in recent years and in 2023, the Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language (TOCFL), Taiwan’s proficiency test for Chinese, attracted record-breaking participation of over 100,000 test takers across 47 countries. The Steering Committee for the Test of Proficiency-Huayu (SC-TOP), which developed the test, stated in a press release that the TOCFL is an essential part of Chinese language education and an important assessment tool for Taiwan’s recruitment of overseas students. SC-TOP Executive Director Chen Po-hsi (陳柏熹) says that since the TOCFL program began in 2005 nearly 740,000 people have taken
Portuguese Planning for Immigrants - Language Magazine
The president of Portugal’s recently created Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA), Luís Goes Pinheiro, has announced a plan, aimed at immigrants in Portugal who do not speak Portuguese as their native language, which will be a “guide that brings together the wishes of several public sector entities with responsibilities in this matter.” “Today it will be publicly presented, and tomorrow (Friday) the first strategic plan for teaching and learning the Portuguese language for foreigners will go into public consultation. We managed to mobilize a vast group of public administration entities in a document that binds all parties for
To Support the Science of Reading, Replace Disinformation with Collaboration - Language Magazine
My first teaching job after earning a Master of Arts in teaching was at a private school in Austin, Texas, for students with dyslexia. Nearly all of these students had prior school experiences that were not positive. Yet they were thriving because they were at a school where teachers and staff, including highly trained academic language therapists, knew how the English language is structured, how to break it apart, and how to teach each component of the language explicitly and systematically to students. I was so intrigued by the students’ success that when I moved to Rhode Island, I sought
China Exerting Influence in Spanish - Language Magazine
A recent study by Chile’s Center for Analysis for Democracy finds Chinese broadcasters have been increasing their footprint in Spanish-speaking countries in the past few years by producing and publishing tens of thousands of videos through the three largest Spanish-language YouTube channels of its state media. However, the study also shows that most of the videos have very few views and have failed to make an impact among the Spanish-speaking public. The report examined the YouTube channels of CGTN Espanol, Xinhua Espanol, and Hola China. The target audience is mainly viewers living in Latin America and Spain. Since 2009, the
Argentina Bans ‘Inclusive Spanish’ - Language Magazine
Recently elected Argentine President Javier Milei’s government has banned the use of “inclusive language” and references to “the gender issue” in public documents, institutions, and processes. Argentina’s Ministry of Defense immediately applied the ban “with the aim of avoiding misinterpretations in its transmissions.” Milei, a self-proclaimed “anarcho-capitalist” affiliated with the Libertarian Party, opposes feminist policies and abortion, which Argentina legalized in recent years. He also rejects the notion humans have a role in causing climate change. In a television appearance, he denounced Pope Francis, who is Argentine, as an “imbecile” for defending social justice and called the head of the
MA TESOL Directory - Language Magazine
Binghamton University MA TESOL Format: In-person, campus Length: Three semesters Credit hours: 33 credits Binghamton University’s MA TESOL program offers a 33-credit curriculum in three semesters including fieldwork, practicum, and a capstone project. The program provides an international practicum experience through the EPIK Plus program in Korea. Binghamton University, New York’s top-ranked public university, offers diverse education and renowned research opportunities. www.binghamton.edu/tlel/academics/masters-degrees/non-certification/tesol.html Biola University MA in TESOL, certificate in TESOL, MA in P–12 Multilingual, Multicultural Education Format: The TESOL MA and certificate are offered both online and in person at the La Mirada, California, campus. The MA in M&M education
NY Bill to Boost Bilingual Teacher Recruitment - Language Magazine
In a victory for education equity and diversity, the New York State Senate has passed Bill S3408, the Bilingual Teachers of Tomorrow Program, which establishes a dedicated teacher recruitment and retention program aimed at attracting and retaining bilingual, certified teachers in areas of greatest need. In responding to this milestone, Senator Kevin Parker said: “I am elated to share the momentous news of the Senate’s approval of the Bilingual Teachers of Tomorrow Program. This legislation, a vital part of our broader School and Education Diversity Package, signifies a giant leap toward addressing disparities in our education system. By creating a
New CA Standards Humanize Teaching - Language Magazine
California’s Commission on Teacher Credentialing approved long-awaited revised Standards for the Teaching Profession last month that emphasize culturally responsive teaching, social-emotional learning, and family engagement. The standards, which guide teachers’ professional development and evaluation statewide, broadly describe the knowledge, skills and abilities expected of effective experienced teachers. State law requires that they are updated regularly. The six overarching domains of teaching in the new document are similar to the previous standards, and are parallel to other state standards, according to the commission. The elements within the domains include definitions and examples. The six domains are also used in the Teaching
New Guidance to Honor ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi - Language Magazine
Following Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (February's Hawaiian Language Month), the U.S. Department of the Interior announced new guidance to preserve and also elevate knowledge and practice of the Hawaiian language. A thorough new departmental manual chapter addresses nationwide commitments to continue honoring and integrating Indigenous cultural practices, particularly within conservation stewardship and environmental affairs. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland said, “Prioritizing the preservation of the Hawaiian language and culture and elevating Indigenous Knowledge is central to the Biden-Harris administration's work to meet the unique needs of the Native Hawaiian Community,” adding “As we deploy historic resources to Hawaiʻi from President
Laws to Preserve Cherokee Renewed - Language Magazine
Last month in Talequah, Oklahoma, the Cherokee Nation renewed a law aimed at preserving the Cherokee language. At an official ceremony, Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin signed an updated and permanent renewal of The Durbin Feeling Language Preservation Act, on behalf of the Cherokee Nation. The act protecting Indigenous languages was originally passed in 2019. Only about $18 million is allocated annually to preserve the Cherokee language. At the official signing, Chief Hoskin addressed reporters “...we are undertaking this mission for ourselves, but we’re reminding the United States that we need to commit resources to this great mission of restoration, repair
Refining State Measurements of EL Success - Language Magazine
A new report (https://www.migrationpolicy.org/research/state-accountability-systems-english-learners) from the Migration Policy Institute’s National Center on Immigrant Integration Policy sketches a new vision for state accountability systems, drawing on quantitative and qualitative research to outline potential refinements as policymakers seek to improve current systems and make changes to future iterations of federal education law. States have been meeting their mandate under federal law to develop systems to hold K-12 schools accountable for the outcomes of all students, through the collection and use of data that illuminate the needs and gaps for historically underserved student groups, including English Learners (ELs). While these accountability systems are
Nominations Now Open for Crystal Apple Awards - Language Magazine
Nominations are now open for School Specialty's annual Crystal Apple Awards. Students, family members, administrators, fellow teachers, and members of the community are all encouraged to nominate their favorite teacher between February 26 and March 24, 2024 at SchoolSpecialty.com/Crystal-Apple. Each year, the public nominates teachers who, like last year's inspiring finalists and winners, go above and beyond to touch the lives of students every day. School Specialty selects 10 finalists from the nominees, and three winners are then selected by public vote. Winners will be announced on April 30. All three winners will receive a $500 School Specialty merchandise certificate
Ensuring African American Students’ Access to Multilingual Learning - Language Magazine
The growing research base on dual-language immersion’s benefits for English learners is pushing many policymakers to prioritize linguistic diversity in multilingual schools. What does this mean for racial diversity? And where do African American students fit in? Like many dual language immersion (DLI) schools, Indianapolis’s Global Preparatory Academy at Riverside 44 (GPA) is audibly, astonishingly diverse.1 Like many other Spanish–English DLI campuses around the country, its annual Celebration of Cultures features flags, outfits, and music from across Latin America—and the broader world.2 Students of all backgrounds sparkle through traditional and modern songs in Spanish and perform dances with roots in
Finding Flaw and Disorder - Language Magazine
A child’s linguistic journey can have many complexities that parents may not recognize, especially when navigating the intricacies of multilingualism. Recent research conducted by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) has brought to light an uptick in referrals for hearing, speech, and language concerns among young children over the past two years.1 The study also reveals that only 28% of speech–language pathologists (SLPs) believe parents are familiar with the early warning signs of speech–language disorders. This underscores the ongoing need for enhanced awareness and early intervention strategies across diverse linguistic contexts. Notably, English language learners (ELLs) represent the fastest-growing student population
Native American Language Grant Program Accepting Applications Until Mar. 7 - Language Magazine
The purposes of the Native American Language Grant (NAL@ED) program are to support schools that use Native American and Alaska Native languages as the primary language of instruction; maintain, protect, and promote the rights and freedom of Native Americans and Alaska Natives to use, practice, maintain, and revitalize their languages, as envisioned in the Native American Languages Act of 1990; and support the Nation’s First Peoples’ efforts to maintain and revitalize their languages and cultures, and to improve educational opportunities and student outcomes within Native American and Alaska Native communities. Types of ProjectsThe absolute funding priorities for the program in
Framing Authentic Development in Spanish - Language Magazine
As the number of multilingual learners continues to rise in the US, many schools are turning to bilingual education as a means of instruction. A survey by the American Councils Research Center (ARC, 2021) identified over 3,600 dual language bilingual education (DLBE) programs across 44 states.1 The same survey found that over 80% of DLBE programs feature Spanish as a partner language to English, with Chinese and French making up an additional 14% of programs. Increasing the number of DLBE programs is a priority for the US Department of Education (ED). In a recent letter, Secretary Miguel Cardona reiterated the