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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
$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
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
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
Calling All Bilingual Changemakers - Language Magazine
Over the last three decades, the field of education in the US has experienced a growing demand for dual language and biliteracy programs. The dissemination of research that highlights the cognitive, social, and financial benefits of bilingualism is one of the main reasons that families and educators alike have been engaging in advocacy efforts for the expansion of these programs. Many states have responded to this demand by creating legislation and providing funding to expand program availability, but we know the demand will only continue to increase, and we must prepare to meet this need. The rise of biliteracy programs
Nahuatl: A Native Tongue of Taste - Language Magazine
Nahuatl (pronounced \NAH-wah-tul\) is the language that was spoken by the majority of the inhabitants of central Mexico at the time of the Spanish conquest, and it is still spoken today by more than a million Nahua people. It was the language of the powerful Aztecs, whose culture dominated the region for centuries. Because Nahuatl was written using Spanish orthography beginning in the 1500s, it is easy to trace the words that have been absorbed into English over the ensuing centuries, words that describe the plants, animals, and food of this culturally and ecologically rich part of the New World.
Administration Withholds $6.8 Billion Allocated to Schools - Language Magazine
The Trump administration is withholding $6.8 billion in federal funding for K-12 schools due for distribution on July 1. Department of Education staff informed state education agencies on the day before the funding, by law, was required to start flowing. Funding is being blocked for the following programs: Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants (Title II-A), which support professional development and other activities to improve the effectiveness of teachers and school leaders, including reducing class size. English Language Acquisition (Title III-A),which supports language instruction to help English language learners become proficient in English. 21st Century Community Learning Centers (Title IV-B),which support
Portuguese Celebrates Digitization of “Most-Spoken Language in Southern Hemisphere” - Language Magazine
The theme for this year’s celebration of World Portuguese Language Day was “the promotion and dissemination of the Portuguese language and cultural diversity of CPLP (Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries) member states: from traditional experiences to digital platforms,” to reflect the growing relevance of Portuguese in the digital age. Highlighted was the need to leverage technological tools, including artificial intelligence and digital media, to preserve, teach, and promote the Portuguese language across generations and borders. The Language Day also celebrated the diverse and rich cultures of the nine countries that form the CPLP, including, in Africa, Angola, Mozambique, Guinea Bissau, Cape
Québec’s Bill 96 Comes into Force - Language Magazine
Despite requests from business groups to extend the compliance deadline, new rules take effect in Québec this month requiring French to be the dominant language on store signs and imposing stricter guidelines for product packaging. The changes are part of Québec’s 2022 overhaul of its French-language law, known as Bill 96, which the government said was essential to protect French in the province. Québec already requires businesses with 50 or more employees to ensure French is the dominant language in the workplace, but now that requirement is being extended to companies with 25 to 49 employees. Businesses in violation of
Time Capsule Celebrating Linguistic Diversity to Land on Moon - Language Magazine
UNESCO has partnered with an American innovation platform Barrelhand to raise awareness of the importance of preserving linguistic diversity, by sending a coin-sized nickel disk to the moon. The tiny disc is engraved with the UNESCO Constitution's preamble 'since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men and women that the defenses of peace must be constructed', translated into 286 languages. Utilizing nanofiche technology, the disc has been engineered to withstand extreme conditions for millions of years. This symbolic gesture underscores the importance of preserving linguistic diversity. 2025 is the third year of the
Participate in Global Survey on Indigenous Languages - Language Magazine
Policymakers, members of Indigenous communities, and members of civil society are invited to take part in the Global Survey on Indigenous Languages, designed by the ad hoc working groups of the Global Task Force for the International Decade of Indigenous Languages. The United Nations General Assembly (Resolution A/RES/74/135) proclaimed the period between 2022 and 2032 the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL 2022–32), to draw global attention to the critical situation of many Indigenous languages and to mobilize stakeholders and resources for their preservation, revitalization, and promotion. For the organization of the International Decade, UNESCO established a Global Task Force
Learn Faster by Slowing Down - Language Magazine
Elite athletes like Simone Biles didn’t reach the Olympics overnight—it took years of disciplined training and incremental skill development, with every new gymnastic skill she practiced building on a previously mastered foundation. This progression highlights the significance of early scaffolding, where small, structured learning experiences accumulate into a broad mastery of complex skills. Without early-stage scaffolding, learners often struggle to develop the necessary foundation for long-term success. Learning tactile skills, for example a musical instrument like the cello or violin, takes time to progress through the stages from beginner to proficiency. When learning a new tactile skill, like chess or
Tibet: A Land of Many Languages - Language Magazine
Three days after he was released from prison in December, a Tibetan village leader named Gonpo Namgyal died. As his body was being prepared for traditional Tibetan funeral rites, marks were found indicating he had been brutally tortured in jail. His crime? Gonpo Namgyal had been part of a campaign to protect the Tibetan language in China.Gonpo Namgyal is the victim of a slow-moving conflict that has dragged on for nearly 75 years, since China invaded Tibet in the mid-20th century. Language has been central to that conflict.Tibetans have worked to protect the Tibetan language and resisted efforts to enforce
$600,000 Grant Honors the Linguistic Tapestry of Oaxacan Immigrants - Language Magazine
For more than 300 years, the Monterey Bay area has served as a cultural and linguistic crossroads where diverse communities have met, mingled, and exchanged ideas.One of the lesser-known but deeply significant elements of this multicultural landscape is the Indigenous languages spoken by immigrants from Oaxaca, Mexico. The Humanities Institute (THI) at UC Santa Cruz has been developing a community-engaged research project to create an exhibition delving into the role those languages play in sustaining Oaxacan immigrant culture on California’s Central Coast.This work builds from Nido de Lenguas, a longstanding research, education, and advocacy collaboration between linguists at UC Santa
Structured Literacy Boosts Academic Progress - Language Magazine
Structured literacy is a research-based approach to reading instruction that’s rooted in the science of reading. It emphasizes direct, explicit instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension—essential components for reading success. Research supports the effectiveness of structured literacy, particularly for students with dyslexia, who make up as much as 20% of the student population.1 This approach not only benefits students with learning differences, but it also supports students at every level in developing strong reading skills. Studies show that 95% of studentscan learn to read when taught this way.2 In short, structured literacy solves key challenges educators face,
Integrating Social–Emotional Learning - Language Magazine
During the past decade and especially the last few years, social emotional learning’s (SEL’s) reach has expanded significantly. It is known that high-quality SEL instruction can support students’ general well-being and also lead to improved academic outcomes (Durlak et al., 2011; Zins and Elias, 2007). With multilingual learners comprising nearly 23% of the US student-age population (National Center on Education Statistics, 2022) and facing numerous challenges in receiving an equitable and excellent education (Staehr Fenner et al., 2024), we must question how inclusive SEL initiatives and programs are of multilingual learners. The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL)
The Best of Both Worlds - Language Magazine
A relatively new and underutilized pedagogical approach to language learning is CLIL, or content and language integrated learning. David Marsh is noted for coining the term in 1994. The fulcrum of CLIL lies on studying a subject (for example, science, history, or literature) and learning a language simultaneously and thereby amalgamating the two subjects. This definition is broad because this subject and language integration can occur in many different ways. In the context of the Indian English-medium education system, CLIL is a generic term referring to the teaching of a curricular subject through a second language. The basis of CLIL
Untangling Fact from Fiction in Trump’s Call to Defund English Learner Education - Language Magazine
On May 2, Russell T. Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), sent a letter to Senator Susan Collins, chair of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, outlining President Trump's recommended changes to discretionary spending for fiscal year (FY) 2026. One of the administration’s recommendations is to eliminate Title III funding—the only federal grant program specifically geared towards supporting English learners (ELs) and recent immigrant students. The following description was provided as justification for the recommended reduction: “To end overreach from Washington and restore the rightful role of State oversight in education, the Budget proposes to eliminate the
Reprieve for Education Department - Language Magazine
A federal judge in Massachusetts has issued a preliminary injunction blocking the President’s executive order calling for Education Secretary Linda McMahon to close the U.S. Education Department. District Court Judge Myong J. Joun told the administration 'to restore the Department to the status quo' and reinstate the 1,300 departmental employees who were axed in March, beginning his ruling with an endorsement of the department, “The Department’s role in education across the nation cannot be understated: it administers the federal student loan portfolio, provides research and technological assistance to states and their educational institutions, disburses federal education funds, and monitors and
ALAS to Offer Scholarship to Member Seeking Advanced Degree | Language Magazine
The Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS) will award a $10,000 scholarship to an aspiring superintendent to help them continue their advanced degree program. Applicants are selected based on need and on their personal statements about how an advanced degree will help them achieve their goals and further the goals of the ALAS mission and vision. They must also submit a resume and three letters of recommendation. Applicants can apply through June 15, 2025 at www.alasedu.org/alas-scholarship. Applicants must be ALAS members and enrolled in or accepted to an advanced degree program. To become an ALAS member visit www.alasedu.org/individual-membership-registration/. “ALAS
CA Set to Mandate Evidence-Based Reading Instruction | Language Magazine
A new California bill (AB 1454) will provide an estimated $250 million for professional development, credentialing, and instructional materials aligned to “evidence-based means of teaching foundational reading skills in print concepts, phonological awareness, phonics and word recognition, and fluency to all pupils, including tiered supports for pupils with reading difficulties, English learners, and pupils with exceptional needs.” The bill does not specifically mention the Science of Reading, like most recent state reading legislation, but it does incorporate its core elements, while recognizing that different groups of learners may benefit from emphases on different methodologies. After being amended to reflect an
Modern Language Association Files Lawsuit over Dismantling of National Endowment for the Humanities | Language Magazine
Legal Pleadings Court Papers Law Complaint The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS), the American Historical Association (AHA), and the Modern Language Association (MLA) filed a lawsuit in federal district court today, seeking to reverse the recent actions to devastate the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), including the elimination of grant programs, staff, and entire divisions and programs. In recent weeks, the NEH has eliminatedentire divisions, initiated the mass firing of 65 percent of its staff, and suspended entire grant programs. These moves threaten the future of American research into history, literature, languages, philosophy, politics, society, and culture. They
Wisconsin Awaits $50 Million for Reading | Language Magazine
Back in 2023, $50 million was allocated to fund mandated changes to how Wisconsin children learn to read, but the funds have never been released, thanks to legal arguments over the reading legislation./ The money has been tied up as the legislature awaits oral arguments and a decision by the state supreme court over whether the governor had the authority to strike funding for school boards and charter school compliance from the law. As that ruling won’t come by the end of the fiscal year, the funds will go back into the state’s massive surplus, State Representative Joel Kitchens (R-Sturgeon
Rooted in the Science of Reading | Language Magazine
'Statistics and their interpretation by experts show only the surface dimensionof the difficulties we face. Beneath them lies a tension between hope andfrustration that characterizes current attitudes about education at every level.' A Nation at Risk, 1983, p. 10 In today’s rapidly evolving digital and multicultural landscape, literacy education must broaden beyond traditional debates and embrace an all-encompassing dynamic framework we all can accept. Rather than viewing the science of reading and the holistic treatment of literacy as opposing forces, we must recognize their contributions to an integrated, broader, and more comprehensive vision of multiliteracies. This perspective acknowledges that literacy
Celebrate English & Spanish Language Days at the UN - Language Magazine
On April 23, the 'Spanish Language Day at the United Nations' is celebrated to raise awareness among the staff of the Organization, and the world at large, about the history, culture and use of Spanish as an official language. The election of the day attends to the anniversary of the death of the great genius of Spanish lyrics, Miguel de Cervantes. Incidentally, the date of his death coincides with that of the most prestigious English playwright, William Shakespeare. Hence both languages share the day. English Language Day at the United Nations is also celebrated on the 23rd of April —
The Legacy and Tensions of the Lau Decision - Language Magazine
Last year we celebrated the 50th anniversary of a milestone US Supreme Court ruling, Lau v. Nichols (1974), which set the groundwork for equitable learning opportunities for students designated at the time as limited English proficient (and who are now referred to as English learners (ELs) at the federal level). The Lau decision in tandem with the Equal Educational Opportunities Act, which was enacted by Congress later the same year, required that all public schools implement remedies to ensure students with “limited English proficiency” could participate meaningfully in their education. And yet, despite five decades of attempts to make classroom