Foreign Languages

Learn more about teaching non-English languages, or world languages, in K-12 schools
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Merrimack College SGA Successfully Lobbies to Add American Sign Language to Curriculum
The Student Government Association’s Academic Affairs Committee (SGA) worked with faculty and the Office of the Provost to include American Sign Language (ASL) as part of the College’s foreign language requirement starting in spring 2024.
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Karen language students work on a presentation highlighting historical figures during a Karen for Karen speakers class at Washington Tech Magnet School in St. Paul, Minn., on May 22, 2024.
Karen-language students work on a presentation highlighting historical figures during a Karen for Karen speakers class at Washington Tech Magnet School in St. Paul, Minn., on May 22, 2024.
Kaylee Domzalski/Education Week
Assessment How a District Used the Biliteracy Seal to Expand Language Instruction
The St. Paul public schools in Minnesota has seen success in its Karen language program.
5 min read
Assessment Video How a State Seal of Biliteracy Inspired This District to Teach a New Language
Minnesota's seal of biliteracy program has resulted in one district creating a Karen language program and assessment.
5:11
Conceptual illustration of people and voice bubbles.
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College & Workforce Readiness How Well Are Schools Preparing Students? Advanced Academics and World Languages, in 4 Charts
New federal data show big gaps in students' access to the challenging coursework and foreign languages they need for college.
Sarah D. Sparks, March 19, 2024
2 min read
Tree growing from a book with education icons floating above, focusing on climate change and curriculum
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Curriculum Q&A You Can Teach About Climate Change in Every Subject and Grade Level. Here's How
Math, foreign language, even art classes offer opportunities to build students' knowledge.
Madeline Will, January 13, 2023
8 min read
Illustrations of "Hello" in multiple languages, blue color.
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Recruitment & Retention Foreign Language Teachers Are in Short Supply. How to Find, Attract, and Retain Them
Start with competitive pay and respect for their unique skills, an expert says.
Caitlynn Peetz, November 22, 2022
4 min read
Curriculum Spanish Dominates Dual-Language Programs, But Schools Offer Diverse Options
Mandarin Chinese, French, German, and Vietnamese are also among five most-offered types of dual-language programs, a new federal report shows.
Corey Mitchell, January 14, 2020
2 min read
Curriculum Opinion Identity, Storytelling, and Culturally Responsive Teaching
Guest blogger Michelle Nicola shares how diverse stories can be powerful classroom tools that can awaken students' perceptions of themselves and the world.
Michelle Nicola, June 28, 2019
7 min read
Federal Report Roundup Foreign Languages
U.S. employers increasing rely on multilingual employees to advance their goals, but many have lost business because they don't have staff who can communicate in languages other than English, finds a new report from the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.
Corey Mitchell, June 11, 2019
1 min read
English Learners U.S. Economy Needs More Foreign Language Studies to Stay Competitive, Report Says
A new report from the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages determines that U.S. employees are missing out on business opportunities because they struggle to find employees who can communicate in languages other than English.
Corey Mitchell, May 21, 2019
3 min read
Equity & Diversity Opinion Language Immersion Is for All Students
Guest blogger Camilla Modesitt explains why foreign-language-immersion programs should be available to all students.
Camilla Modesitt, May 10, 2019
3 min read
Classroom Technology Opinion How Tech Tools Can Engage Foreign Language Students
Use this model to integrate technology into your classroom for deep student engagement, says guest blogger Adam Ross.
Adam Ross, May 7, 2019
5 min read
Student Well-Being Opinion The Value of Middle School Travel Programs
How middle school travel can benefit all students, including those learning a second language.
Heather Singmaster, February 14, 2019
7 min read
Federal Opinion Valuing Our English Language Learners by Learning to Listen
The value that English Language Learners bring to the classroom and the country.
Wendi Pillars, August 29, 2018
6 min read