Kathy presenting on foreign language advocacy at NECTFL 2020 in NYC

I am so happy to have had the opportunity to present 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 New York City.

Arriving on Friday morning, I was able to attend the wonderful keynote, the session presented by the ACTFL teacher of the year, the Palmes luncheon, a session on the use of a French television series in the classroom, a session on leadership and networking, and the Awards Ceremony, where — among other honorees — my co-author, Fabrice Jaumont, received the James W. Dodge Advocacy Award.

On Saturday, I presented my session on foreign language advocacy, attended a session on media and marketing, and a session on foreign language requirements. As a member of the Advisory Council, I also attended the Advisory Council meeting and luncheon.

I was delighted to visit with friends at the AATF, CALEC, and many other tables in the impressive exhibit hall, and was so happy to attend the many French language-oriented sessions and events.

It was an inspirational and memorable conference. The setting in Midtown Manhattan for this well-organized and well-attended conference was ideal.

Many thanks to the NYC Palmes for organizing the collegial and convivial offsite luncheon, to the NECTFL director, conference chair, and all the organizers, and special thanks to all those who attended and participated in my session.

Languages do matter!

 

 

Kathy selected as Communications Officer at the National Coalition of Independent Scholars (NCIS)

I am so happy to have been selected as Communications Officer at the National Coalition of Independent Scholars (NCIS).  Many thanks to all and special thanks to Amanda Haste, President.

I look forward to serving!  🙂

You can read more @ http://www.ncis.org/news

Kathy on the FIU Making Global Learning Universal Podcast

I am delighted to be featured on the FIU Making Global Learning Universal Podcast speaking about language learning and global citizenship. Special thanks to Stephanie Doscher!

You can listen to the entire podcast @ https://globallearningpodcast.fiu.edu/season-2/episode-7-kathleen-stein-smith/index.html

Languages do matter!

“7 reasons to learn a foreign language” –over 13,000 views this month

I am delighted to share with you that my newest article, “7 reasons to learn a foreign Language,” published just over a month ago, has had over 13,000 views.

http://theconversation.com/7-reasons-to-learn-a-foreign-language-112369

Along with my earlier article, “Foreign language classes becoming more scarce,” published earlier last year, the articles have had a combined total of nearly 35,000 readers.

 

https://theconversation.com/foreign-language-classes-becoming-more-scarce-102235

If we all work together, we can make a difference!

Many thanks to all of you who have taken the time to read and to comment, and special thanks to The Conversation.

Languages do matter!

 

 

The 2019 Conversation on French and Foreign Language Advocacy – Kathy’s Year-End Update

I am delighted to report that the conversation on French and foreign language advocacy has given me the opportunity to meet and to interact with dedicated foreign language educators and advocates across the country, and to see old friends and make new ones.

I wholeheartedly believe that knowledge and use of other languages in addition to English are essential in a globalized world and an increasingly multilingual society, and current research confirms this.  In addition, our own US history and cultural identity are profoundly multilingual.

I encourage foreign language educators, stakeholders, and enthusiasts to advocate for languages at the local, state, regional, and national level, through personal and professional engagement, and in support of current advocacy campaigns and initiatives at all levels.

Please feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss French or foreign language advocacy!

Many thanks to all who have attended my presentations and read my writing, and special thanks to the members of the AATF Commission on Advocacy, of which I serve as Chair, for their support and encouragement.

Best wishes to all for the new year!

Please keep in touch!

Please feel free to contact me directly.

1. Email — kathysteinsmith@gmail.com
2. Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/kathleen.steinsmith
3. Twitter — @KathySteinSmith
4. WordPress — https://kathleensteinsmith.wordpress.com

As Chair of the AATF, I invite you to join the conversation.

1. Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/AATFcommissiononadvocacy/
2. Twitter — @AATFComAdvocacy
3. Web — http://www.utm.edu/staff/globeg/advofr.shtml (created and maintained by Founding Chair, Dr. Robert “Tennessee Bob” Peckham

 

 

2019 Highlights

2019 Conference Presentations (in reverse chronological order)

Presentation on “Building Language Skills through Immersion” at the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) 2019 convention in Washington, DC. (November 24, 2019)

Pesentation on “World Language Advocacy: Opening Doors to Connections Locally and Globally” at the NYSAFLT (New York State Assocation of Foreign Language Teachers) 2019 conference. (November 1, 2019)

Presentation on “French Language and Francophone Culture in the US – A Global Language with a Local Touch/ Le Français – langue mondiale, langue locale” at the MaFLA (Massachusetts Foreign Language Association) 2019 conference. Brief presentation on “Que fait l’AATF pour la promotion du français?” at the AATF Eastern Massachusetts annual meeting at MaFLA. (October 26, 2019)

Presentation on “Unlocking the World for Our Students: The Role of Foreign Language Advocacy,” at the FLAVA (Foreign Language Association of Virginia) conference in Williamsburg (October 5, 2019).

Presentation on “Strategic Advocacy for French Language and Francophone Culture Education: Session officielle de la Commission sur la Défense du Français,” with Founding Chair, Tennessee Bob Peckham, at the AATF Congrès annuel in Philadelphia (July 16, 2019).

Presentation on “Foreign Language Advocacy: Strengthening and Supporting Foreign Language Learning” at the ADFL (Association of Departments of Foreign Languages) summer seminar in Spokane (May 24, 2019).

Presentation on “Multilingualism and the Sustainable Development Goals — Many Languages One World” at the Comparative and International Education Society (CIES) 2019 conference on education for sustainability in San Francisco (April 16, 2019).

Brief book talk with my co-author, Fabrice Jaumont, about our new book, “The Gift of Languages,” at the annual American Society of the French Academic Palms (ASFAP) meeting at the Bistro Vendôme in NYC (April 6, 2019).

Presentation on “The Importance of Foreign Language Advocacy in Building Student Skills and Empowerment” at the SWCOLT 2019 annual conference in Dallas (March 30, 2019).

Presentation on “Foreign Language Advocacy: Building a Bridge to Empowerment through Proficiency” at the CSCTFL 2019 conference in Columbus, Ohio (March 16, 2019).

Presentation on “Foreign Language Skills as Student Empowerment: The Role of Advocacy” at the FLAME annual conference in Portland, Maine (March 8, 2019).

Presentation on “Advocacy and Languages across the K-16 Continuum” at the MLA Convention in Chicago (January 2019).

2019 Publications (in reverse chronological order)

Books

The Gift of Languages: Paradigm Shift in U.S. Foreign Language Education. Co-authored with Fabrice Jaumont. TBR Books, 2019. Translated into Spanish and French — El regalo de las lenguas: Un cambio de paradigma en la enseñanza de las lenguas extranjeras en Estados Unidos, and Le don des langues: Vers un changement de paradigme dans l’enseignement des langues étrangères aux États-Unis, respectively.

Articles (in reverse chronological order)

“7 reasons to learn a foreign language” The Conversation 17 December 2019 https://theconversation.com/7-reasons-to-learn-a-foreign-language-112369

“Building on Historic Foundations.” Language Magazine Nov 2019.

“French Teaching in the U.S.” Language Magazine Nov 2019.

“Classes Duo Paris/Knoxville, an Integrative Learning Experience: A Case Study.”  TPLS: Theory and Practice in Language Studies v. 9 no. 9 September 2019  http://www.academypublication.com/ojs/index.php/tpls/article/view/tpls090910651073

“Bastille Day, or French Every Day.” France-Amérique 12 July 2019. https://france-amerique.com/en/bastille-day-or-french-every-day/

“Un Coup des États-Unis.” Language Magazine July 2019.  http://languagemagazine.com/

“Foreign Language Advocacy: Empowering Foreign Language Educators.” NYSAFLT (New York State Association of Foreign Language Teachers) Language Association Journal v. 68 no. 1 (Spring 2019). https://nysaflt.org/publications/

“AATF Commission on Advocacy Update.”  AATF National Bulletin v. 44 no 4 April 2019, p. 4.

“For the Children’s Sake.” Language Magazine April 2019. https://www.languagemagazine.com/2019/05/04/language-advocacy-for-the-childrens-sake/

“Rethinking the Role of Foreign Languages in the US: Toward a More Diverse Cultural Identity.” JLTR: Journal of Language Teaching and Research v. 10 no. 3 (2019).  http://www.academypublication.com/ojs/index.php/jltr/article/view/jltr1003403411

“So You Say:  Reader Responses to Issues in Language Learning.” (contribution included). The Language Educator. February/March 2019. p. 58.

“Foreign Language Classes Becoming More Scarce.”  The Conversation 6 February 2019 https://theconversation.com/foreign-language-classes-becoming-more-scarce-102235

“The Bilingual Approach: Foreign Language Education for the Twenty-First Century” (Review Essay) GSLR: Global Studies Literature Review No. 9 January 2019.
The Bilingual Revolution: The Future of Education Is in Two Languages by Fabrice Jaumont https://www.nafsa.org/Resource_Library_Assets/Networks/RS/Book_Reviews/Global_Studies_Literature_Review/

2019 Radio Interviews (in reverse chronological order)

Interview on learning a foreign language on “The Attitude w/Arne Arnesen” on WNHN   https://www.wnhnfm.org/the-attitude-with-arnie-arnesen-december-18-2019/ (December 18, 2019)

Interview on foreign language learning in the US, “Fewer Americans Have the Opportunity to Learn a Foreign Language in School” with Tanzina Vega on “The Takeaway” on WNYC. https://www.wnycstudios.org/story/fewer-americans-have-option-learn-foreign-language-school

Interview on foreign language learning in the US, “Fewer Foreign Language Options in Schools,” on Wisconsin Public Radio (February 7, 2019) https://www.wpr.org/shows/fewer-foreign-language-options-schools-smart-justice

Other Professional Engagement

I was delighted to attend the Palmes luncheon in NYC during NECTFL, the Palmes dinner in New York at the annual meeting, the Palmes dinner in Philadelphia during AATF, and the French Embassy luncheon in Washington, DC, during ACTFL; to have been invited to attend the AATF Region II meeting at Albertine during NECTFL; to serve as a member of the Palmes election committee; and to have visited the French American Academy in NJ.

 

 

Presenting at the MLA 2020 Convention in Seattle

I am so happy to have presented on the “New Structures for a Changed World: The Second Decade,” in a panel discussion on languages and the interdisciplinary department at the MLA (Modern Language Association) 2020 convention in Seattle.

It was a wonderful opportunity to engage in conversation on the importance of foreign languages and foreign language learning with dedicated scholars and teachers, both on the panel and among those who attended the session, and to discuss the importance of foreign language advocacy with educators from across the country and from Canada.

Special thanks to my co-presenters, to our presider, Christopher Lupke, and to the MLA organizers for inviting me to participate, and many thanks to all those who attended the session.

In addition to my own presentation, conference highlights included the session on foreign language enrollment and the innovation showcase.

Special congratulations to AATF’s Jayne Abrate on receiving the ADFL Award for Distinguished Service to the Profession.

In addition to my own session, I was also able to attend interesting sessions and events, including the Delegate Assembly as a member observer and a session on being online: risks and rewards for women in academe, as well as the exhibit hall.

All in all, it was a wonderful opportunity to see old friends and to meet new ones! The setting in beautiful Seattle and the Washington State Convention Center only added to the memorable experience of this well-organized and well-attended 135th annual convention.

Languages do matter!

Making time for languages! Over 12,000 views for my newest article, “7 reasons to learn a foreign language,” in The Conversation — Thank you all!

I am delighted that my newest article in The Conversation, “7 reasons to learn a foreign language,” has already had over 12,000 views — Thank you all!

My article published earlier in the year, “Foreign language classes becoming more scarce,” has had over 21,000 views, making a total of well over 33,000 for both.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The message is clear — foreign languages and foreign language learning are important for so many, for as many reasons as there are individuals!

Whether as a new year’s resolution, the actualization of a lifelong dream, a connection with a family heritage or that of a loved one, or preparation for an upcoming trip, there is no better time to begin learning another language, or to continue learning a language studied or spoken in the past.

As busy as we may be in our personal and professional lives, and as multi-faceted as the academic and learning needs of our students at all levels may be, we cannot and should not forget to make time for languages in our lives and in our schools!

Read more @

https://theconversation.com/7-reasons-to-learn-a-foreign-language-112369

and

https://theconversation.com/foreign-language-classes-becoming-more-scarce-102235

Languages do matter!

 

New Year’s resolutions for a new decade — Learn a foreign language!

New Year’s resolutions for a new decade — Learn a foreign language!

If you are a foreign language educator or enthusiast, or a parent or community leader wishing to maintain a heritage language, please make every effort to promote foreign language learning and use in our schools and communities in the new year.

There are so many ways to make additional languages part of our lives — in the classroom, in the workplace,  in our communities and personal lives, and as global citizens!

Whether we use our imagination and creativity to make authentic learning part of every class, whether we work to make use of languages in addition to English part of our community and social life, or whether we build career pathways to give our students the opportunity to maximize their foreign language skills as a professional asset, let’s make the resurgence of foreign languages the highlight and goal of the new year and the new decade.

As foreign language educators, language services professionals, and as parents and citizens, we can work together to bring about a resurgence of foreign languages in the US.

https://theconversation.com/7-reasons-to-learn-a-foreign-language-112369

Languages do matter!

Thank you all! Almost 31,000 (21K and 10K each) views for my articles on The Conversation!

Thank you all! Almost 31,000 (21K and 10K each) views for my articles on The Conversation!

https://theconversation.com/foreign-language-classes-becoming-more-scarce-102235 (02/19)

https://theconversation.com/7-reasons-to-learn-a-foreign-language-112369 (12/19)

Languages do matter!

Radio interview on “The Attitude w/Arne Arnesen

Special thanks to Arne Arnesen and the team at WNHN for taking the time to speak with me and for getting the word out on the importance of foreign language learning for our children.

“We speak with Kathleen Stein Smith, from Fairleigh Dickinson University and editor of the blog “Language Matters.” We discuss some of the many reasons why it’s important that our children learn one or more foreign languages, especially at a young age.”

Read more and listen to the interview @                                                 https://www.wnhnfm.org/the-attitude-with-arnie-arnesen-december-18-2019/

Languages do matter!