The world has changed, and it changed suddenly — due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, some things never change, even in this year like no other, and among them, the importance of language learning and of multilingualism in our personal and professional lives, and in our society. Not only do we need to talk about language(s), we need to actually use additional languages in our lives on a daily basis!
Special thanks to all who have supported my work and have offered me the opportunity to participate in their podcasts, present at their conferences, and write for their publications!
Personal Advocacy Projects during the Pandemic –Special Blog Series and more
Learning — and using — another language while we’re @ home, the importance of multilingualism and of the French language, and French in the US
The current health crisis has made it even more important to communicate and stay in touch using all the online and social media available.
In response to the shutdown/lockdown caused by the health crisis, it occurred to me that it could be possible to create something positive by learning, or re-learning/refreshing another language in our lives and to reflect on the importance of language(s) in our lives and in the US, which has led me to reach out to French language and Francophone culture stakeholders in the US, in order to strengthen and support the learning and use of French (and other languages) in our country. In addition, I have also brought together resources on the French language in the US. You can find the links to the guest blog posts, as well as my own, on my “Language Matters” blog.
Special thanks to all those who contributed blog posts!
Awards and Recognitions
A personal highlight for me was being featured in the “Alumni Spotlight” of the Union Institute & University (my doctoral alma mater) @ https://community.myunion.edu/alumna-named-chevalier-dans-lordre-des-palmes-academiques/in January.
Podcasts, Presentations, and Publications (in alphabetical order)
- Podcasts (in reverse chronological order)
I am honored to have been invited to participate in the following podcasts —
Podcast conversation on “the power of language” on the North American Francophone Podcast with Claire-Marie Brisson (posted 5 April 2020) https://www.thefrancophone.com/listen-1/episode/4a95e343/a-conversation-with-dr-kathleen-stein-smith-the-power-of-language
Podcast conversation on “language learning and global citizenship” on the FIU Making Global Learning Universal Podcast with Stephanie Doscher (posted 4 February 2020) https://globallearningpodcast.fiu.edu/season-2/episode-7-kathleen-stein-smith/index.html
In January, I attended the MLA Convention in Seattle where I presented on “Languages and the Interdisciplinary Department.” In February, I attended the NECTFL conference in NYC and presented on “Foreign Language Advocacy and the Opportunity to Learn Another Language.”
Unfortunately, as the CSCTFL Conference in Minneapolis in March was cut short by the pandemic, I was not able to deliver my scheduled presentation on “Foreign Language Advocacy and Access for All to Foreign Language Learning.” In addition, the SCOLT conference in Mobile, also in March, where I was scheduled to present on “Our Diverse American Cultural Identity, Heritage, and Foreign Language Advocacy” and on “Languages – Mobility in a Global and Multilingual World”, and the OFLA convention in Cincinnati in April, where I was scheduled to present on “The Importance of Foreign Language Advocacy: The Future Is Clear” were cancelled due to the pandemic. Many thanks to these organizations for having welcomed me as a presenter and best wishes for future conferences and events.
Although the NAFSA onsite convention scheduled in May in St. Louis was cancelled, the online NAFSA eConnection was created, and I was able to present virtually on “The Diverse U.S. Culture, Heritage Languages, and International Education.” The AATF annual convention, originally scheduled in July in Trois-Rivieres, Que, was re-imagined as the AATF webinar, and I was delighted to present virtually on “AATF Commission on Advocacy Presents on …, with Founding Chair, Tennessee Bob Peckham. Special thanks to my esteemed co-presenter, Tennessee Bob!
My 2020 presentations are as follows (in reverse chronological order) —
Presentation on “AATF Commission on Advocacy Presents French Language and Francophone Culture in the U.S.: Linkages with Advocacy,” with co-presenter, Tennessee Bob Peckham, Founding Chair, at the AATF Professional Development Zoom Webinars (July 1, 2020). ***
Virtual Poster Presentation on “The Diverse U.S. Culture, Heritage Languages, and International Education” at the NAFSA 2020 eConnection (May 27, 2020).***
Presentation on “French Language and Francophone Culture in the United States” at the Englewood Public Library Online (May 5, 2020).
Podcast presentation on “The Power of Language” on the North American Francophone Podcast. https://www.thefrancophone.com/listen-1/episode/4a95e343/a-conversation-with-dr-kathleen-stein-smith-the-power-of-language (April 5, 2020).
Presentation on “Languages – Mobility in a Global and Multilingual World” at the SCOLT (Southern Conference on Language Teaching) conference in Mobile (March 28, 2020).**
Presentation on “Our Diverse American Cultural Identity, Heritage, and Foreign Language Advocacy” at the SCOLT (Southern Conference on Language Teaching) conference in Mobile (March 27, 2020).**
Invited speaker on “Language Learning: A World of Opportunities” at the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, Montclair State University, Upper Montclair, NJ (March 25, 2020).**
Presentation on “Foreign Language Advocacy and Access for All to Language Learning” for the CSCTFL (Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) conference in Minneapolis (March 14, 2020).*
Presentation on “Foreign Language Advocacy and the Opportunity to Learn Another Language” at the NECTFL (Northeast Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) 2020 conference in NYC (February 14, 2020).
Presentation on “Languages and the Interdisciplinary Department” at the MLA (Modern Language Association) Convention in Seattle (January 11, 2020)
*Conference ended early due to coronavirus outbreak
** Cancelled due to the coronavirus/COVID-19pandemic
*** Presenting virtually, as the on-site conference was cancelled due to the coronavirus/COVID-19pandemic
I am delighted that my articles have been published as follows this year (in reverse chronological order) —
Articles (in reverse chronological order) —
“The US Needs a National Language Policy.” July 16, 2020, France-Amérique https://france-amerique.com/en/the-u-s-needs-a-national-language-policy/
“French is Back!” Language Magazine July 2020 p. 34-37.
“Intentional Foreign Language Advocacy: Skills Set, Mindset, and Core Value.” TPLS: Theory and Practice in Language Studies v. 10 no. 5 May 2020 http://www.academypublication.com/ojs/index.php/tpls/article/view/tpls1005473480
I am also honored to have been an Article Reviewer —
Diplomacy & Statecraft. February 2020 –
Professional Engagement and Service
I am honored to serve as Chair of the AATF Commission on Advocacy and as a member of the ATA Education & Pedagogy Committee. Earlier this year, I was selected as NCIS Communications Officer and look forward to supporting the work of this worthy organization. I continue to serve as a member of the Advisory Council of NECTFL and of CSCTFL, and as a SCOLT sponsor. Special thanks and best wishes for continued success to all these wonderful organizations!
Please keep in touch!
Email – kathysteinsmith@gmail.com
Web – https://kathleensteinsmith.wordpress.com
Twitter — @KathySteinSmith
Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/kathleen.steinsmith
Languages do matter!
