Kathy’s Spring 2024 Update

The spring semester has been busy – with presentations, publications, and more!

In January, I presented on “Just in Time: Language Advocacy in the Post-WVU Era: Strategies from French Studies.”  at the MLA Convention in Philadelphia. I also presented on “The NNJ French Conversation Group – Bringing Mensans Together (and having fun) through French.” at BLAST 2024 — NNJ Mensa Regional Gathering. In February, I attended the NECTFL conference in NYC.

In March I presented on “Language Advocacy – Celebrating Heritage and World Languages in the Classroom and Beyond,” at the SCOLT conference in Atlanta, on “Language Advocacy – Celebrating Heritage and World Languages in the Classroom and Beyond,” at the Central States conference in Minneapolis, and on “French chez nous – French Language Advocacy in New Hampshire and Beyond,” at the NHAWLT conference in Meredith, NH.

In February, I had an article, “The Future of French – The Role of Soft Power in French Language Learning and Use: Advocacy and Partnerships”  published in IJLL: International Journal of Languages & Linguistics, and “Valuing Local Forms of French,” published in Language Magazine, In March, my article, “The Significance of the French and Francophone Presence in North America in French Language Learning and Advocacy in the United States,” in TPLS: Theory and Practice in Language Studies. In April, my article was published in NAFSA’s GSLR: Global Studies Literature Review.

In February, I was featured as a guest on NPR CAI’s “The Point with Mindy Todd,” to discuss language learning.

Kathy’s Fall 2023 Update

I was honored to attend and present on language advocacy in October at the FLAVA (Foreign Language Association of Virginia) 2023, AATF-NJ (American Association of Teachers of French – NJ) Fall 2023, and MAFLA (Massachusetts Foreign Language Association) 2023 conferences — in Norfolk, VA; New Brunswick, NJ; and Springfield, MA. respectively, I was honored and delighted to speak at the AATF – Eastern MA meeting at the MAFLA conference.

I was delighted to have my most recent article, “The Appeal of French – Leveraging the Soft Power of French Language and Francophone Culture Globally and Locally in the Classroom and Beyond,” published in the October 2023 issue of IJCE: International Journal of Contemporary Education. I was honored that our book, “Le francais autour de nous/French All Around US” was featured at the Salon du Livre de Montreal and at ACTFL.

I am happy to have been included and quoted in several articles this Fall – “College enrollment in foreign language courses plummets,” “WVU’s humanities cuts spotlight value of liberal arts,” “Scholars See Dangerous Precedent in West Virginia U.’s Plan to Cut Foreign Languages” and “‘Inconceivable’: WVU’s plan to shut down language department could have detrimental impact on faculty and students, professors say.”  

Many thanks to all! 🙂 

 

Kathy’s Summer 2023 Update

Summer 2023 has been a wonderful summer for French language and Francophone culture advocacy.

Member, Executive Board, ASFAP

I am delighted to join the Executive Board of the American Society of the French Academic Palms. Elected earlier this year, I began serving effective July 1st.

Conference Presentations

“French Language Advocacy — Pathways and Opportunities for All.”  AATF 2023, Trois-Rivières, 26 July 2023.

“French All Around Us/Le français autour de nous” book panel presentation at AATF 2023, Trois-Rivières, 24 July 2023.

Table Ronde: “Le français autour de nous,” Université d’été, Centre de la Francophonie des Amériques, 25 May 2023 (virtual).

Publications this summer —

Book

The Importance of Learning a Second Language: Essays on Re-envisioning Foreign Language Education. Edwin Mellen Press, 22 May 2023.

Articles

“The Appeal of French – Leveraging the Soft Power of French Language and Francophone Culture Globally and Locally in the Classroom and Beyond.” IJCE (International Journal of International Education) (available online 21 August 2023, https://redfame.com/journal/index.php/ijce/article/view/6317

nal Journal of Contemporary Education) 

“French Surroundings,” Language Magazine July 2023.

I am delighted to have been honored in Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators —

Kathleen Stein-Smith, PhD

I am honored to have been cited in the following articles —

Scholars See Dangerous Precedent in West Virginia U.’s Plan to Cut Foreign Languages                      https://www.chronicle.com/article/scholars-see-dangerous-precedent-in-west-virginia-u-s-plan-to-cut-foreign-languages

‘Inconceivable’: WVU’s plan to shut down language department could have detrimental impact on faculty and students, professors say                                                                                            https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2023/08/17/west-virginia-university-language-department- cuts/stories/202308160103

Kathy’s Spring 2023 update

The spring semester has been a busy semester for language advocacy, with publications, presentations, and more!

In January, I learned that I had been named an Officier dans l’Ordre des Palmes académiques in July 2022, In early 2023, I was elected to the Board.

In March, I was delighted that Le français autour de nous, Langue française et culture francophone aux États-Unis, the French edition of French All Around Us, was published by TBR Books. In observance of its publication, I participated in a panel discussion through the Federation des Alliances Françaises des USA.

In May, my newest book, The Importance of Learning a Second Language: Essays on Re-envisioning Foreign Language Education, was published by the Edwin Mellen Press.

In addition, I had several articles published and presented at several conferences on language advocacy.

Publications

Book —

The Importance of Learning a Second Language: Essays on Re-envisioning Foreign Language Education. Edwin Mellen Press, 2023 (May 22, 2023)

Le français autour de nous, Langue française et culture francophone aux États-Unis, sous la direction de Kathleen Stein-Smith et Fabrice Jaumont. TBR Books, 2023. (March 20. 2023). French edition, French All Around Us.

Articles —

“Francophone Culture in the US: Empathy, Empowerment, and Advocacy.” The Cardinal (OFLA) Spring 2023. https://the-ofla-cardinal.org/2023/05/10/francophone-culture-in-the-us-empathy-empowerment-and-advocacy/

“Language Advocacy – Building Understanding, Connections, and Community,” PLF: Pennsylvania Language Forum Spring 2023 p. 49-58. 4 Apr 2023. https://psmla.org/sites/default/files/PLFSpring2023.pdf

“French Week – All Year Long,” Language Magazine 28 March 2023.  https://www.languagemagazine.com/2023/03/28/french-week-all-year-long/

“French around the World and Right Here.” Language Magazine March 2023. https://www.languagemagazine.com/

“The Independent Self-Directed Language Learner and the Role of the Language Educator — Expanding Access and Opportunity.” JLTR: Journal of Language Teaching and Research v. 14 no 2 (2023). March 2, 2023. https://jltr.academypublication.com/index.php/jltr/issue/view/432

“French as a US Heritage Language in a Multilingual World.” TPLS: Theory and Practice in Language Studies v. 13 no 3 (2023). March 2, 2023. https://tpls.academypublication.com/index.php/tpls/issue/view/434 

“Language Advocacy – Reconnecting with Goals and Partners to Recharge Our Advocacy.” The Cardinal (OFLA) Winter 2023. https://the-ofla-cardinal.org/2023/02/14/language-advocacy-reconnecting-with-goals-and-partners-to-recharge-our-advocacy/#more-5181

“The U.S. Foreign Language Deficit.” IMprint Jan 2023.

“Language Advocacy — Strongly Rooted in Values and Growing in Impact,” The NYSAFLT Language Association Journal. v. 71 no. 2, Fall/Winter 2022.  https://nysaflt.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/NYSAFLT-Journal-71-2-Fall-2022.pdf

Presentations

“French Language Advocacy – Globally and Locally,” NHAWLT conference 2023 in Concord, NH. 25 March 2023.

“Table Ronde: French All Around Us.” Fédération des Alliances Françaises USA. 20 March 2023.

“Francophone Culture in the US: Empathy, Empowerment, and Advocacy.” at the CSCTFL/OFLA 2023 conference in Columbus. Ohio. 10 March 2023.

“Elevating the Lives of Our Students through Language Learning and Advocacy” at the SWCOLT 2023 conference in Salt Lake City. 24 February 2023.

“The NNJ Mensa French Conversation Group” at the NNJ Mensa RG (Regional Gathering). 20 Jan 2023

Languages do matter!

Kathy named Officier dans l’Ordre des Palmes académiques

I am delighted to be named an Officier dans l’Ordre des Palmes académiques, Many thanks to all! 🙂

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ordre_des_Palmes_acad%C3%A9miques

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ordre_des_Palmes_acad%C3%A9miques

Kathy’s Fall 2022 Update – Presentations, Publications, and more! :)

This has been a wonderful semester for language advocacy – an opportunity to discuss language learning and language use, and to reconnect with old friends — and hopefully, to make new ones, too!

Among the highlights – “French All Around Us” has been featured this Fall in panels at the Alliance Française du Maine, the Franco-American Centre in New Hampshire, and most recently, in the CALEC display at the Frankfurt Book Fair!!! 🙂

My Most Recent Presentations–

Presentation on “The Resurgence of French Language and Francophone Culture in the US” at the ACQS 2022 conference in Baltimore. 22 October 2022.

Presentation on “Language Advocacy – Building Understanding, Connections, and Community,” at the PSMLA 2022 conference in Lancaster, PA. 15 October 2022.

Presentation on “Multilingualism and Global Learning- Overcoming
the US Foreign Language Deficit” at the AAC&U Conference on Transforming Global Learning. 12 October 2022.

Presentation on “Reflections on Advocacy – Recharging Your Language Advocacy” at the FLAVA 2022 conference in Williamsburg, VA. 8 October 2022.

Presentation on “French All Around Us” at “Meet the Authors” – Franco-American Centre, in Manchester, New Hampshire. 28 September 2022.

Presentation on “French All Around Us” at “Meet the Authors” – Alliance Française du Maine (virtual). 14 September 2022.

Presentation at the MLOW (Many Languages One World) worldwide online reunion, on August 20, 2022.

My Most Recent Publications —

“Bilingualism as a Means Towards Greater Inclusion: New Perspectives from within International Education.” GSLR: Global Studies Literature Review, no. 12, Nov 2022.  https://www.nafsa.org/professional-resources/browse-by-interest/global-studies-literature-review-no-12-november-2022

“Language Learning on Campus and Beyond – Heritage Languages, Independent Learning, and 21st Century Skills for All.” IJCE: International Journal of Contemporary Education. Oct 2022. https://redfame.com/journal/index.php/ijce/article/view/5713

Featured in “Aux États-Unis, la francophonie n’a pas dit son dernier mot.” in francopress.ca on the occasion of French President Macron’s visit to the US. https://francopresse.ca/2022/11/25/aux-etats-unis-la-francophonie-na-pas-dit-son-dernier-mot/

Kathy’s Summer 2022 Update – Presentations, Publications, and Featured in –

What a wonderful summer it has been – with an article in Language Magazine, in-person presentations at AATF 2022 in New Orleans  and OFLA 2022 in Columbus, Ohio, as well as the opportunity to participate in a virtual round table at the Alliance Française in New Orleans, and featured in ONFR in Ontario, French Morning, and Frenchly. Thank you all! 🙂

Summer Publications

“L’Embrace: the Enduring Presence of French and Francophonie in the US” Language Magazine July 2022. p. 27-32. https://www.languagemagazine.com/2022/07/15/lembrace/

Summer Presentations

Presentation at the MLOW (Many Languages One World) worldwide online reunion, on August 20, 2022.

Presentation on “Language Advocacy – Reconnecting with Goals and Partners to Recharge our Advocacy” at the Ohio Foreign Language Association (OFLA} 2022 annual conference in Columbus, Ohio, on July 26, 2022.

Presentation on French language advocacy at the AATF 2022 annual convention in New Orleans. July 12, 2022.

“French All Around Us” – Meet the authors and editors, Alliance Francaise of New Orleans (Virtual panel) discussion). https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=704829167408450  (June 7, 2022).

This Summer, Featured in –

LA FRANCOPHONIE DES ÉTATS-UNIS RACONTÉE DANS LE LIVRE « FRENCH ALL AROUND US » https://onfr.tfo.org/etats_unis_francophonie_french_all_around_us/ (July 4, 2022)

“French All Around Us: The Evolving French Language in the United States.” (June 8, 2022), https://frenchly.us/french-all-around-us-lavenir-de-la-francophonie-aux-etats-unis/

“French All Around Us: l’avenir de la Francophonie aux Etats-Unis.” (June 8, 2022). https://frenchmorning.com/french-all-around-us-lavenir-de-la-francophonie-aux-etats-unis/

Kathy’s Spring Semester Update – Presentations, Publications, and “French All around Us”!

It has been a wonderful semester, but the highlight has been the publication of the collective work (KSS, editor), “French All around Us: French Language and Francophone Culture in the United States” on March 20th, in observance of the International Francophonie Day, followed by the official Book Launch at the OIF offices at the UN in NYC on May 5th!

Spring Highlights —

Books (in reverse chronological order) —

French All around Us — French Language and Francophone Culture in the United States. TBR Books, 2022.  (March 20, 2022). Official Book Launch at the offices of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) at the UN in NYC. May 5, 2022.

Articles (in reverse chronological order) —

“Africa and the French Language Are Growing Together in Global Importance.” The Conversation Africa March 17, 2022.  https://theconversation.com/africa-and-the-french-language-are-growing-together-in-global-importance-179224

“Multilingualism and Its Purposes — Interdisciplinary Applications in Language Education and Advocacy,” has been published in JLSP: Journal of Languages for Specific Purposes no. 9, March 2022. http://jlsp.steconomiceuoradea.ro/current-issue/

“Multilingualism, global competency and language learning for a better world: The role of independent scholar” Ronin Institute Blog Feb 23, 2022. https://ronininstitute.org/multilingualism-global-competency-and-language-learning-for-a-better-world-the-role-of-independent-scholars/7028/

“Language at the Intersection.” Language Magazine website. Feb 8, 2022. https://www.languagemagazine.com/2022/02/08/language-at-the-intersection/

“Rethinking Language Education in the US – A New Paradigm for Language Educators, Advocates, and Stakeholders.” International Journal of Contemporary Education vol. 5 no 1 (Apr) 2022. Published online Feb 4, 2022. https://redfame.com/journal/index.php/ijce/article/view/5477

“French Language and Francophone Culture in Sub-Saharan Africa — Interdisciplinary
Reflections on Multilingualism and French Language Education.” International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences (IJHSS). vol 11, no 10 Oct 2021. Published Feb 7, 2022. http://www.ijhssnet.com/journal/index/4794

Presentations (in reverse chronological order)

Presentation on “French All around Us: French Language and Francophone Culture in the United States” at the Book Launch at the office of the  Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) at the UN. May 5, 2022.

Presentation at the Colloque, “l’Université de Montréal et du monde de demain.” May 3, 2022.

Presentation on “French All around Us,” at the Rassemblement 2022 (UMaine Franco-American Programs), April 23, 2022.

Presentation on”Languages for Us All: Access, Affordability, and Advocacy” at the SCOLT (Southern Conference on Language Teaching) 2022 conference in Norfolk, VA. (April 1, 2022).

Presentation on The Gift of Languages: Paradigm Shift in US Foreign Language Education, at the University of Southern Maine Franco-American Collection. March 18, 2022.

Presentation on “French Language Advocacy: The Power of Partnerships,” at the FLAME 2022 conference March 12, 2022.

Presentation on “Language Advocacy: Maximizing the Power of Proficiency” at the CSCTFL (Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) 2022 virtual conference (March 4, 2022).

Presentation on “Mother Languages Are Spoken by 70 Million Americans at Home, but Only One in Five Students Can Access Language Learning in Our Schools!” at the CTAUN (Committee on Teaching about the UN) webinar in observance of International Mother Language Day –MULTILINGUALISM – THE NEW GLOBAL COMPETENCE STANDARD: MOTHER LANGUAGE + 2 https://teachun.org/conference/2022-un/ (Feb 21, 2022).

Featured in (In reverse chronological order) —

“French All around Us” featured by CALEC/TBR Books at the Festival du Livre de Paris 2022. (April 22-24, 2022).

Featured in “French is Literally Everywhere: Stories of Francophone Culture in the U.S.” Mar 21, 2022. https://newyorkinfrench.net/profiles/blogs/french-all-around-us

Featured in “Who Are the Francophones in the United States?,” an article about my newest edited book, French All Around Us: French Language and Francophone Culture in the United States. https://france-amerique.com/en/who-are-the-francophones-in-the-united-states/ https://france-amerique.com/qui-sont-les-francophones-des-etats-unis/   (Mar 21, 2022).

Featured in a conversation about “Language Matters” with the Tennessee World Affairs Council (TNWAC). https://youtube.com/watch?v=UuMVoaq_NdA (12/21 -1/22). For addition information – https://www.tnwac.org/

Included in ASFAP’s  winter issue 2021 of the Gazette violette for my (forthcoming early 2022) book, French All around Us: French Language and Francophone Culture in the United States. TBR Books, 2022,

Kathy’s Fall Semester Update — Books, Articles, Conference Presentations, and More! :)

I am so happy to share with you that I have — The French in Our Lives, forthcoming from Routledge in December —

In December, I was Interviewed on French language and Francophone culture in the US by Michel Doucet on “Michel le Samedi” on Radio-Canada (December 11),

.I am delighted to inform you that in November I had an article published, “Multilingualism in the Global Village,” in Language Magazine.

In addition, I presented at several conferences —

Presentation on  “La Langue française et la culture francophone aux États-Unis” at the WikiConvention francophone 2021 (Nov 21, 2021).

Presentation on “French and Foreign Language Advocacy in the Post-Covidian Era,” at the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) 2021 virtual convention (Nov 19-21, 2021).

Presentation on “World Language Advocacy — Building Language Skills and Cultural Knowledge in a Multilingual World” at the NHAWLT (New Hampshire Association of World Language Teachers) 2021 conference (Nov 13, 2021).

October was also a wonderful month for language advocacy! I am so happy to have had the opportunity to present at several state conferences this month — in Delaware, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New York — thank you, DECTFL, FLAVA, PSMLA, MaFLA, and NYSAFLT!!!

I am looking forward to December and to 2022, with a new article, “French Language and Francophone Culture in Sub-Saharan Africa — Interdisciplinary Reflections on Multilingualism and French Language Education,” in The International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, forthcoming in the December issue, and a new book, French All around Us — French Language and Francophone Culture in the United States, forthcoming in early 2022, TBR Books.

Advocacy is needed more than ever, and advocacy can help to build awareness and to strengthen programs every day, and to defend and support at-risk programs.

Languages do matter!

Kathy’s 10th Doctoral Anniversary – “Qui s’instruit sans agir, laboure sans semer.”

I can hardly believe that it has been 10 years today since I earned my PhD.I am so grateful to all my friends and supporters — teacher, colleagues, friends, and especially, family! 6 books and 2 forthcoming, plus numerous articles and conference presentations, later, my motto remains “Qui s’instruit sans agir, laboure sans semer.”

Languages do matter!