June 2005

Volume 38

Number 3

www.clta.net

CLTA NEWS

California Language Teachers Association

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (Reauthorization of the Elementary & Secondary Education Act of 1994) states, in Title IX General Provisions, Part A, Definitions, Number 11:

CORE ACADEMIC

SUBJECTSThe term core academic subjects means English, reading or language arts, mathematics, science, foreign languages, civics and government, economics, arts, history, and geography. See the U.S. Department of Education's web site, http://www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/esea02/index.html for the complete text of NCLB.

It can't be deniedthe Year of Languages is here and people are hearing about it! The national honorary committee includes renowned author Maya Angelou. Our state blue ribbon committee includes former U.S. Teacher of the Year Chauncey Veatch, as well as many notable figures in state and county education. Governors across the country have proclaimed 2005 the Year of Languages in their states, and in February, the United States Senate passed Senate Resolution 28 recognizing 2005 as the U.S. Year of Languages. The United States House of Representatives followed suit in March.

In California, we've been very, very busy getting the word out to anyone and everyone. In an effort to reach the broader student

population, CLTA hosted a YOL poster contest open to all K-6 students and an essay contest open to all 7-12 students. Both contests asked students to communicate the importance of learning languages. The students came through with flying colorsliterally in the case of the posters! Matthew Toner, from Discovery School of the Arts in Victorville, won the poster contest with his beautiful interpretation of the Year of Languages and the importance of languages in society. In second place, Lanet Lasic from Amelia Earhart Elementary School in Indio submitted a stunning, colorful poster. Our third place winner, Vania Barajas, is also from the Discovery School of the Arts in Victorville. Congratulations to these exceptional youngsters and their teachers for nominating them.

In the essay contest, Lydia Tomkiw, a junior at Bella Vista High School in Fair Oaks took first place for her essay submitted by English teacher Amber Simas. Amber is a first-year teacher who is now looking forward to traveling to London in January, 2006, thanks to a generous donation by ACIS. Our second place essay contest winner is Zack Daniel Garza of Placer High School in Auburn and in third place, we were pleased to recognize Rosary Abot of Loretto High School in Sacramento.

On another front, CLTA members and their students have been hitting the streets to get the word out about YOL. The first Language Ambush on the west coast took place in Sacramento on March 22. In the course of just over one hour, more than 930 Sacramentans were asked questions in nine different languages. This may be the largest Language Ambush thus far in the country! Teachers, students, and CFLP Executive Director Duarte Silva conducted the ambush, armed with clip boards, tally sheets and YOL balloons. The ambush achieved its goal of getting the word out about YOL: three TV stations, a radio station and the major local newspaper all covered the event. San Diego is preparing a language ambush of their own, modeled after those that have been held across the country, including Sacramento.

Also in honor of YOL, a model reading program kicked off in Sacramento in May. This program, Read Around the World is the first of its kind in the country because it is a partnership between language teachers, students and the public library. As a result of this partnership,

high school and college students take their language skills out of the classroom and into the

Continued on page 12

CLTA News is the newsletter of the California Language Teachers Association, published four times yearly: fall, winter, spring and summer. CLTA membership includes a subscription to the CLTA News.

Membership in CLTA is $35 year with affiliate membership, $40 without, and $30/year for students or retirees. For information or change of address, contact Marge Sotomayor, P.O. Box 123, Ferndale, CA 95536.

Deadlines: All copy and advertising for 2005-2006 issues must reach the CLTA News editor at P.O. Box 2135, Aptos, CA 95001 or knicolaysen@cruzio.com by the following dates: May 29, 2005 (June issue), September 24, 2005 (October issue), December 26 (January issue) Material received late cannot be included.

Advertising: Camera-ready, paid advertising is accepted in accordance with editorial policy. For information contact Nadine Elwood, Advertising Manager, CLTA News,

Dino718@aol.com or 714-392-5675.

Editorial Policy: The CLTA News publishes information and articles of interest to the language profession. Materials which appear to be mainly for commercial purposes will be returned advising of the option of placing a paid advertisement in the newsletter. An editorial committee will advise the editor when questions arise regarding the appropriateness of a submission.

To our readers: All articles are the opinions of the authors. CLTA's policy is to allow free expression and invite comments and / or clarification.

Board meetings: The CLTA Board will meet three times during the academic year. The 2005-2006 schedule is: October 8, 2005; December 10, 2005; February 25, 2006.

Permission to copy: Permission is granted to reproduce material in this publication, provided that credit is given to CLTA News.

My Dear Colleagues and Friends,

Thank you for all the hard work you have done this year for our language students in California! Whether you are a public, private or independent teacher, administrator, or working in another support capacity, consider doing something nice for yourself in honor of the accomplishments of your profession, your students and yourself. We have in our own way contributed to the success of Year of Languages in California and in our nation. Of course we are not finished yet: June will focus on adult learning (world travel for language practice, anyone?), and July on Language Communities. California will specifically spotlight the August theme, which highlights the role parents play in providing language opportunities for their children. You can go to the ACTFL website to find more information about Year of Languages.

What a wonderful Conference we had in Ontario! Hats off to Lewie Johnson and his IEFLA crew who outdid themselves in hosting this professional family reunion! For those of you who were there, you know what I'm talking about! For those who were not able to attend this year, I hope you are making plans to be a part of the festivities next March in Fresno. As you know, next year's Conference date has been moved up just a bit to allow more of you in public schools to avoid that pesky testing window that we must consider. Also, March allows California public school teachers to ask for federal funds in October before they are gone, and then access them when they become available, in December! It's a good thing we WLOE

teachers are also Math whizzes and good at planning! Remember to ask for No Child Left Behind Funds as appropriate, especially since many of the workshops and interest sessions are specifically designed to address those issues.

Have you received a brochure yet for CLTA/CFLP Summer Seminar in Santa Barbara? For more information, the CLTA and CFLP websites have a list of strands, and the registration form. Even though our Summer Seminar feels like Summer CAMP for WLOEs, it is truly a life-changing event for your professional growth and development. I always come away wondering how in the world I was able to function without that year's information and experience.

As most of us leave our students for all or part of the summer, we may want to borrow for reflection January's double face, one face looking back and one looking forward. As we look back, did we continually seek that balance necessary to do everything we could have done for

our students, while still leaving time and energy for our own RE ­ CREATION? And as most of us answer, no, I did not leave enough time and energy for myself, what will we do as we look forward to look for that perfect balance? I share with you my personal plan for next year. 1) spend quality time reflecting on my role models to see how I can learn from them, 2) plan, plan, plan (well, there's'a "Never-Ending Story!"), and most of all, 3) embrace every moment by remembering that all experiences have at least two sides. Finally, next year as this year, I hope to drink in the fellowship that has sustained me, the fellowship I have enjoyed from you all, my friends and colleagues.

Thank you. Now go RE-CREATE!

Tanya

I always look forward to the speakers who share their wit and wisdom with us at CLTA's annual conferences. It is one of the aspects of planning the conference that results in the most stress. The worries are the same from one year to the next. Will we be able to find good speakers? How will our conference attendees react to these speakers? This year, in Ontario, those who remained for the Sunday Brunch were most fortunate. Thanks to Eric Liu, they were able to look at language from a very different perspective than that of the foreign language teacher.

Eric, a former speechwriter for Bill Clinton, is the author of two books. The first, The Accidental Asian, is the account if his learning Chinese so as to be able to better understand his grandfather. In it, he speaks of heritage language speakers and of the various aspects of culture, not just Chinese culture, but the many cultures that make the USA such a rich tapestry against which to live our lives. His second work, Guiding Lights: the People Who Lead us to Our Purpose in Life, is about teachers and mentors and how they can change lives. In Ontario, challenging us to think about who has transformed us and how we pass this on, Eric took the themes of his two books and blended them into an inspiring message which was able to send us all back to our everyday lives on Monday with a richer understanding of the importance of what we do in our professional and personal lives.

As language educators, we tend to view language from our own personal perspective, as a means of communication. But Eric views language differently. While we see the different languages as Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Spanish, etcetera, and while we view them as means of communicating through listening, speaking, reading, and writing, Eric sees three types of language: the languages of purpose, surprise and possibility.

The language of purpose has little to do with curriculum; it is not really about "how to do, but about how to be." This is the language that shows us the deeper lessons of how to be and why, and in these lessons, both the master / mentor and the apprentice / mentee are transformed and rewoven into the web of human life.

As teachers, although it is difficult, we need to be open to moments where we are not in charge. Sometimes we need to follow rather than to lead; we need to be spontaneous. This is the language of surprise, and, as Eric told us, we never know where it might lead us and what we might learn about life, simply by relinquishing control.

The third aspect of language, according to Eric, is the language of possibility. As teachers, we continually plant seeds, seeds of possibility. We never know when those seeds will sprout; it might be years later, and we may never know

the effect of those seeds that we planted. A wonderful example that Eric cited is Judy Baca, who was involved in the creation of the mural

The Great Wall of Los Angeles. While involved in this project, she planted a seed in a young man named Jorge. This seed did not sprout immediately. It lay dormant, only to be reawakened years later, after he had become a father. But the message here is that every one of us has an influence on all of those around us, in the here and now, and there is always the possibility that those seeds will become productive.

According to Fr Greg Boyle, one of the mentors profiled by Eric in his book, we are all subject to burnout. When that happens, then we must turn on a flashlight and wait for the child to take his own step. To quote Eric, in this era of almost non-stop testing, we educators are doomed to suffer continual "pseudo-scientific attempts to quantify the unquantifiable." But what we must remember is that it is so much more than content that we are teaching to our students, that we are also their role models and mentors, and that we must remain open to possibility, surprise and purpose. This is how we can change lives.

What part of the CLTA Conference is the most awaited? It surely must be the presentation of awards!

In Ontario, the air was filled with anticipation the night of the Friday Banquet. Which of our colleagues would be receiving government grants to study abroad? As Lorraine D'Ambruoso began to name the recipients, we were reminded that we teachers are always students and that some of our fellow students were being given the opportunity to study in France, Italy, Quebec, Spain, and Mexico. Unfortunately, there were no applicants for the German and Japanese grants.

Kristina Jakubcanin and Joan Fox will be traveling to France. Frauke Ramin and Kristine Snodgrass are going to Quebec. Jerrica Brown is headed for Spain and Lora Stonebraker will spend three weeks in Cuernavaca, Mexico. Adriana Benvenuto and Paulo Delazari are receiving study grants to Italy. CLTA thanks the governments for their support of world language teachers in Callifornia.

The Saturday Luncheon featured the winners of the Outstanding Teacher Awards. Judith Snyder, awards chair, gave each of the winners a new name in order to prolong unveiling the actual identity of the winner. It was a happy occasion for the five teachers who were honored by their colleagues. Many were surprised by the presence of family and friends.

There were many excellent Outstanding Teacher nominees this year. It was a difficult task to make the selection. The CLTA Outstanding Teachers of 2005 are as follows: Connie Chrysler-Anderson, Susan Geery, Christine Lanphere, Carla Peck, and Ursula Rovell. The Glencoe/McGraw Hill Outstanding Teacher Leader Award was presented to Ursula Weaver by representatives of the publishing company. Congratulations to these lovely ladies!

The President's Award was presented to Hal and Eileen Wingard for many years of dedicated service and generosity to CLTA. Their support of the Student Strand at this year's CLTA/CFLP Summer Seminar was recognized.

Sylvie Christophe of the French

Consulate

As the CLTA Advocacy Chair, I attended my first Joint National Committee for Languages (JNCL) Legislative Day/Delegate Assembly in Washington, D.C. in May. The proceedings were both exhilarating and overwhelming. Members of JNCL meet once a year in Washington to storm Capitol Hill and fight for language education.

This year the conference unofficially opened on Wednesday evening with a reception on Capitol Hill, but the real work began the following morning when we were debriefed on the major developments in language policy. Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI) announced the introduction of the S. 1089The National Language Coordination Act of 2005. The Act would create the position of a National Language Director and a National Foreign Language Coordination Council to develop and oversee the implementation of a foreign language strategy for the federal government. The proposed Council, chaired by the National Language Director, would identify crucial priorities, increase public awareness of the need for foreign language skills, advocate maximum use of resources, coordinate cross-sector efforts, and monitor the foreign language activities of the federal government. We were also briefed on what we should emphasize in meetings with our local representatives. This year the focus was continual funding for the FLAP grant and the Higher Education Act.

The afternoon was filled with visits to legislators' offices. Our legislative visits were scheduled right in the middle of

the filibuster controversy and many of the legislators were called out of offices "to the floor" to participate. Lorraine D'Ambruoso and I met with representative Jerry Lewis, who came back "from the floor" specifically to meet us. In all of the office visits we stressed the critical need for language education and funding for language education at all levels. In addition, we left Year of Languages pencils and buttons in all of the offices.

Friday and Saturday mornings were filled with meetings and other debriefings on the different subjects. There was a short session on the Year of Languages (needless to say California has that under control!). Gail Mc Ginn, Deputy Under Secretary Department of Defense, Policy and Planning, spoke about what the DoD is doing to recruit and maintain adequate levels of translators and interpreters in critical need languages. Michael Hill, Deputy Executive Director, National Association of State Board Educators, presented the report "The Complete Curriculum: Ensuring A Place For The Arts And Foreign Language In America's Schools."

Meeting people from other states and hearing how they had dealt with and managed to promote language education in their states was another important facet of our experience. In the end, I left with fresh ideas to bring back to California to continue to promote language education here.

For more information about JNCL, visit www.languagepolicy.org

As the world noted the 35^th anniversary of Earth Day in April, I was reminded of the words of Dr. Terry Tafoya, the plenary speaker at the conference in Ontario. This Native American of the Taos Pueblo and Warm Springs Nation reminded us that, "if every morning you have to go to the river, you will never pollute the river." We CLTA members who were present at the session were indeed challenged to reflect not only on our relationship with our planet, but with our fellowman.

He spoke about story telling as a type of medicine. Dr. Tafoya said that it takes as long to get ready to tell a story, as to tell the story. That reminds me of giving instructions in a language class. Often we spend more time preparing the students to do an activity, than on doing the activity.

How fortunate we were to have Terry Tafoya, who is recognized worldwide, as our Saturday morning speaker. He made us face up to some our own prejudices. He suggested that we "don't see things as they are, but as we are."

I was particularly touched when he said, "what you fear the most, will give you the most insight."

This has been a very busy year for us. Before I attempt to summarize, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the Board, who have helped us work our way through the many problems afflicting us. I think we have found solutions to our most pressing issues, and this was the work of a group of dedicated professionals. Special thanks go to President Tanya Zaccone, Awards Chair Judith Snyder, Newsletter Editor Karen McDowell, Secretary Sue Korsinen, Management Committee Chair Carol Moir, Advocacy Chair Bethany Thompson and Conference Coordinator Paula Hirsch. These magnificent women teach full time, and devote what little time remains to CLTA. Also, deep appreciation goes to CLTA Treasurer, Conference Registrar, Conference Treasurer and Summer Seminar Treasurer Sue McKee (She does wear a few hats, and all of them well!), Membership Chair Marge Sotomayor, Exhibits Chair Carol Sparks and President-Elect and Web Master Lewie Johnson. They may be retirees, but they are as busy as ever; CLTA seems to be their retirement, and for that, we are most grateful.

We began last year with a budget that was most worrisome (like that of most school districts these days). Thanks to putting the newsletter on line and to some severe belt-tightening in every area of the budget, we are once again fiscally sound. That does not mean that we are wealthyCLTA has never been and will never be in a position where finances will not be an issue. As you look at our financial statement, please remember that we are the fiscal agent for the Summer Seminar, the Sidney Gorman Scholarship Fund, the Jean Schroeder Scholarship Fund, and the Transatlantic Soccer Bridge. That means that none of these funds can be used for general operating expenses. Although it may seem that we have lots of funds, most of them are limited to a specific use and are not at our disposal.

Many of our members have been dismayed by the CLTA News now being on line instead of sent in hard copy to their homes. This move has resulted in financial stability for the association. I know it would be easier to take the newsletter in hand and read it. But times are changing, and costs do nothing but rise. Be assured that CLTA is not the only association to take this step. The Journal of the Northeast Conference has just announced that it is also going to publish its newsletter on line beginning in September. The reason? The costsof paper, of printing and of postage. So please, take the time to read the CLTA News on line. Lewie has done a wonderful job

in offering us two different formats, and in making it easy to download Adobe Acrobat for those who need it, so there should be no reason to avoid reading our news simply because the newsletter is on line.

One of the long term projects that began this year, the result of the apparent "graying of the association," is the Futures Committee, chaired by Carol Moir. This group of individuals is looking at ways to develop new leadership for both the association and the affiliates. It is also looking at how we function as an organization, with an eye to making us more cost effective and to making CLTA a better resource to our members.

Our Advocacy Committee is now in the midst of the new two-year legislative session, guided by Katherine Lynch, our Legislative Advocate in Sacramento. We are currently supporting several bills proceeding through the legislative process. We are also monitoring others, to see if they might impact foreign language instruction. CLTA will also send two members to the Joint Commission in Languages (JNCL) Lobbying Workshop in Washington, DC. There, we will bring our agenda to legislators when we meet with them to discuss educational funding.

We are several months into our celebration of 2005: the Year of Languages in the US. Under the guidance of Nicole Naditz, YOL Committee Chair, we have many activities of which CLTA members can be proud. Nicole's team held a Language Ambush on the streets near the Capitol last month. It received much coverage in print, on TV and even a 15 minute live interview on Public Radio where Nicole and Duarte Silva (Executive Director of CFLP) spoke about YOL. Read Around the World is another program that Nicole created, a program in which students (secondary and university) go to libraries and read stories of other cultures and in other languages to children who often do not speak English. This summer will see exhibits of work by foreign language students at the state and at county fairs. Finally, CLTA's affiliate representatives are hosting a variety of activities in their regions throughout the state to celebrate the importance of knowing other languages and cultures. CLTA has only one regret for YOL, and that is that even with the intercession of Kathy Lynch in Sacramento, we have been unable to obtain a Proclamation for YOL.

This year's summer seminar has been cancelled.

At the CLTA Board meeting on March 5^th, the board members voted to increase CLTA dues beginning with the 2006 membership year. This action was taken reluctantly, as the board members strive very hard to keep down costs for all members. Dues have been at their current level for four years. However, increasing costs of everything from gasoline to postage during that time period made this move necessary.

Dues will increase $10 in each category as of January 1, 2006. Members who also belong to one of our regional affiliates will pay $45; non-affiliated members will pay $50; and students and retirees will pay $40.

Notice that the dues increase takes place on January 1, 2006. That means that those of you who renew for 2006 prior to January 1, 2006, can pay on the old rates! When you get your renewal notice next fall, don't just file it away to be paid later; save yourself $10 and renew right away before the increase takes effect. In fact, members will be encouraged to pay for both 2006 and 2007 at that time, thus saving double, or $20 total.

From among ten highly qualified and dedicated finalists, CLTA and FLAGS member Christine Lanphere has been chosen to represent Region 3 in the state competition for Califor

FLA-OC extends congratulations and a huge round of applause to our newest CLTA Outstanding Teachers, Ursula Rovell and Susan Wilkins Geery. Ursula teaches German 1-4 AP/IB at Walnut High School where she is the advisor for the Klub-Deutsch and the National Honor Society. The National Honor Society meets monthly and is responsible for campus beautification. She is also the treasurer of FLA-OC. Susan teaches Spanish 3, 4 Honors and 5AP at Tustin High School where she is the AFS Club advisor and Department Chair of World Languages. She is also a member of COACH and Past President of FLA-OC. We are very excited for both of you and proud to have you represent us.

We would also like to congratulate Karen Donner, French teacher at Western High School, who was selected Outstanding Veteran Teacher, 2005 for FLA-OC. Eva L. Goodwin-Noriega, Dianne McGinnis and Penelope Walsh Sloane nominated Karen. Congratulations to José Martínez, Spanish teacher at Los Alamitos High School, who was selected Outstanding Novice Teacher, 2005. His Department Chair, Shari Kaulig, nominated José. Muchas gracias to Dr. Omar Ezzeldine, Tustin High School Assistant Principal, who was selected Outstanding Administrator, 2005 because he is so supportive of language study and regularly speaks Spanish to teachers and students in the hallways, on the phone and in the classrooms. Spanish teacher Maribel Herrera nominated him. These three outstanding educators were honored at the annual FLA-OC Share Fair at the Knott's Berry Farm Resort Hotel on Monday evening, May 23.

This spring many of our members and their students had a great time at our weekend language immersion camps at Big Bear. The German Camp theme was the Middle Ages. German students enjoyed a castle building contest, re-enacted medieval traditions, learned old folk dances and participated in fencing and jousting. French Camp celebrated "Fun in the Sun on the Côte d'Azur" with 140 participants from over 17 high schools. We applaud all the teachers who spent many hours planning and participating in camps. It is a very worthwhile experience for all involved and besides, it is a lot of fun.

We've enjoyed celebrating Year of the Languages 2005 in Orange County and would like to congratulate our county essay winner, Michelle Lew, a student of Elisabeth Kaulard from Esperanza High School. In addition to a lovely certificate, Michelle received a gift card to Borders. We appreciate the participation of Haley Lobitz, student of Mrs. Burgess from Hewes Middle School, Elisa Nagan, student of Mr. Isselnane from Utt Middle School, Janette Derby, student of Mrs. Marshall from Esperanza HS, Jennifer Hong, student of Mrs. Matic from Oxford Academy, Brian Baker, student of Miss Villalba from Troy HS, Janet Aranda, student of Mrs. Graham from Tustin HS, Rebecca Lee, student of Mrs. Levine

n

ia League of High Schools Educator of the Year. Christine was declared the winner at the Educator of the Year Awards Dinner April 22, a premiere Sacramento area event, which drew 300 professionals, family and well wishers of the Region 3 nominees.

Still walking on air from having been named a CLTA Outstanding Teacher at the Ontario Conference held the previous weekend, Christine said she was "at least four feet above the ground." Christine is a French teacher at Natomas High School in Sacramento, where she teaches all levels. She is Department Chair, a

BTSA mentor, Mock Trial Coach and a WASC Chair. Her education has taken her to Whitman College, including a year at the Institute of European Studies in Paris, Monterey Institute of International Studies, California State University San Jose, and most recently to Quebec City under a Quebec Government Grant to study at the Université Laval. She is currently a lead teacher in the Capital Foreign Language Project and was recently a member of the Subject Matter Advisory Panel for the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, advising for French and then acting in a consultant capacity for the creation of the credential in American Sign Language.

Christine was nominated by Tanya Zaccone, who sits on the CLHS Board as CLTA President. In that capacity, Nicole Naditz was nominated for EOY Region 3 in 2004, and was named one of the Top Ten Finalists for that year. WLOE teachers from Region 3 are making a splash in CLHS! For more information about CLHS and how you can nominate someone from your region, contact Tanya at tzaccone@surewest.net.

Congratulations, Christine!

In March FLAGS celebrated heartily at the Teacher Awards Banquet. For the first time the awards were diversified. FLAGS honored three "Outstanding" professionals: Outstanding Teacher, Japanese Professor Kazue Masuyama from CSUS; Outstanding New Teacher, German teacher Inga Templeton of Mira Loma High School; and a Friend of the Profession, Principal Ann Walkup from the Elk Grove Unified School District. Congratulations to all the recipients.

March also brought the YOL Language Ambush, conducted on the K Street Mall by teachers and students from around the region. It was great fun, but by the results (Sacramento received a D-) it was clear that bringing language study to the public's attention is still very necessary!

April was also packed with fun things to do. CLTA Conference in Ontario was fabulous - lots to do and wonderful sessions. The icing on the cake: seeing two FLAGS teachers receive awards. Christine Lanphere from Natomas HS was chosen as a CLTA Outstanding Teacher, and Elk Grove HS's Ursula Weaver was selected to receive the Glencoe-McGraw Hill Outstanding Teacher Leader of 2005. We were hoarse from all the cheering!

Next, it was on to the California League of High Schools (CLHS) Educator of the Year banquet for Region Three. What an exciting night! Christine Lanphere was among the ten teachers being honored. When the final decision was announced, FLAGS had one more reason to be proud. It was a night of cheers and tears (happy ones!) as Christine took to the podium and received full honors (and a lot of nifty stuff) as Region Three's new EOY. In January, 2006, she will compete against other regional winners at the annual CLHS Conference in Monterey.

April closed with another successful World Language Day at CSU, Sacramento. If you have never attended this all-day event, consider doing so next year. It is a wonderful multi-cultural experience for the whole community. FLAGS is just one of the many groups that participate, and MANY languages are represented in sessions, entertainment, workshops and demonstrations. Next year's date is already set, so mark your calendars for Saturday, April 29, 2006!

If March is for madness then FLASCC certainly did its part. The first three weekends were filled with activities. On Saturday, March 5^th the association's Spanish teachers held an Immersion Day. To the chagrin of the Board and the Spanish Camp Director, Kevin Duffy, there just was not enough interest to warrant a full weekend of Spanish Camp this year. Kevin put forth a valiant effort to rally a group for his one-day program and hopes that next year will see a resurgence of interest.

The second weekend of March brought out many FLASCC members who rallied to the tune of "Sing a Song of Sharing" at the annual Spring Conference held at the Senior Center in Cupertino. Here we shared songs and ideas to liven up our lessons. It was especially exciting to have the "young blood" amongst us get up and share their repertoires with everyone!

The third weekend of March broke wet and windy but this did not dampen the spirits of the French students and teachers, who took off to our Immersion Camp site in Saratoga for a Parisian weekend, complete with some not so youthful cancan dancers! It is surprising what teachers will do for their students!

FLASCC put in quite a good showing at the CLTA conference that was such a successful event. It is a pity that not every Foreign Language teacher was able to participate! To compensate those who did not go or could not get to all the sessions they wanted to attend, FLASCC put on a "Share the Wealth" workshop on May 4^th. Here conference attendees were able to share ideas and handouts from the sessions they attended or presented. We are proud to see how well the affiliate was represented in the Presenter category.

On May 13^th the Board held it year-end dinner and enjoyed a delicious Chinese meal thanks to the contacts and wonderful organizational skills of Helene Chan. The food was wonderful but ever mindful of its duties the Board left time to ponder on future events. We are now working to find a speaker and venue for our Fall Conference, to be held October 22, 2005.

For the State and many local school districts this has been a year fraught with difficulties and challenges. The support and camaraderie that we get from CLTA and our affiliates help us to face the obstacles and greet our students each morning with an ever-renewed "bag of tricks." If only everyone could see it and join our association!

As this school year closes, may the summer sun warm and refresh us as we prepare for that day that is always just over the horizonyet another school year!

Continued on page 20

On April 1, MBFLP and FLAMCO transformed the Rodeo Room of the Salinas Sports Complex into an international festival with displays of students' language projects, music, games, and food.

Over 200 students, parents and guests were greeted at the door with raffle tickets and welcoming words in French, Japanese, and Spanish. Students shared their projects and their learning experiences with each other through their displays and by giving short talks as language ambassadors.

Co-chairs of the event were Joanna Hollis, President of the Foreign Language Association of Monterey County and Yo Azama, Team Member of the Monterey Bay Foreign Language Project. (pictured below)

Speakers came from Alisal, Alvarez, North Salinas, and Salina High Schools, Gavilan View Middle School, and the International School of Monterey. Local restaurants donated Mexican and Japanese dishes for the students to sample. Japanese drummers led by Irene Hashimoto entertained us while we enjoyed our food.

The popular flyswatter game was demonstrated as a language learning tool. Students moved from the left to the right side of the room to state their position on a true-false quiz containing language facts.

Superintendent of Schools Roger Anton praised the students for their hard work and dedication to learning new languages and new cultures.

Director of the Monterey Bay Foreign Language Project Yoshiko Saito-Abbott helped draw the winning ticket for the lucky participant, who won an Ipod.

The popular flyswatter game was demonstrated as a language learning tool. Students moved from the left to the right side of the room to state their position on a true-false quiz containing language facts.

Superintendent of Schools Roger Anton praised the students for their hard work and dedication to learning new languages and new cultures.

Director of the Monterey Bay Foreign Language Project Yoshiko Saito-Abbott helped draw the winning ticket for the lucky participant, who won an Ipod.

libraries where they read children's stories from around the world (in the target languages) and prepare engaging, age-appropriate presentations and activities around those stories. Under the leadership of Norman Leonard, San Diego is preparing to start a similar program in the fall, and YOL coordinators in Wisconsin, Connecticut and Florida are hoping to start student-led multi-lingual reading programs in their states following our model.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of Carolyn Moir, CLTA had a striking YOL presence at the SWCOLT conference earlier this spring. Our display highlighted school and community activities that are planned or have already taken place, and showed that California is in the forefront when it comes to taking action for YOL! Our gratitude goes out to Carolyn for putting our display together.

After years of attending every county fair I could drive to and seeing hundreds of teachers from all grades and many subject areas submit their student work, the Sacramento County Fair featured foreign language student work as a judged category for the first time this May. Entering student work in the county fair is easy, and costs very little (Sacramento charges $1 per piece of student work entered). As the summer fair season approaches, there may still be time to get your students' work into the fair. You have to collect and grade the work anywaywhy not get parent permission and submit the most outstanding work for the whole community to see?

Our next major YOL activity will be in August, when California will play host to ACTFL's national YOL event! Plans are still being finalized for this event, but the theme for August is "parents" so we are preparing a parent forum to share information regarding the cognitive, social, economic benefits of language study. Of course, we are too fun a group to let it go at that, so we will definitely add something to that forum to spice it up.

I know you don't want to let this great year of positive public relations for foreign language education pass you by. If you have ideas for activities, want to help with the activities mentioned above, or want to duplicate some of these activities in your region and need help, please contact Nicole Naditz, YOL Working Committee Chair at advocacy@flagsteacher.com. You can also visit CLTA's web site and the national YOL website (http://www.yearoflanguages.org) for ideas on how to celebrate YOL in your schools and communities.

Happy Year of Languages!

Purpose:

To increase study abroad and foreign language study opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.

Findings:

· In recent years, foreign language needs have significantly increased throughout the Federal Government due to the presence of a wider range of security threats, the emergence of new nation states, and the globalization of the U.S. economy.

· American business increasingly needs internationally and multiculturally experienced employees to compete in the global economy and to manage a culturally diverse workforce.

· Currently, the U.S. government requires 34,000 employees with foreign language skills across more than 70 federal agencies.

· Federal agency officials have stated that, over the years, translator and interpreter shortfalls have adversely affected agency operations and hindered U.S. military, law enforcement, intelligence, counter-terrorism, and diplomatic efforts.

· In a 2002 GAO report, the United States Army reported that it was experiencing serious shortfalls of translators and interpreters in five of its six critical languages: Arabic, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Persian-Farsi and Russian.

· The number of Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships awarded in 2003 was 30 percent less than the number awarded at its high point in 1967.

· In the 2000-2001 school year, the number of foreign language degrees conferred was 1 percent of the total undergraduate degrees conferred, less than .05 percent of the total masters degrees conferred, and 1 percent of the total doctoral degrees conferred.

· In the 2003 National Survey of Student Engagement, only 2/5 of undergraduates reported taking foreign

language coursework while only 1 in 5 reported having studied abroad.

· Only 1 percent of all United States undergraduates studied abroad in the 2001-2002 school year.

· In 2002, 79 percent of Americans agreed that students should have a study-abroad experience sometime during college.

· More than 40 percent of Americans said they were more likely to favor an increase in state funding for foreign language education at their local college or university since September 11.

What The Act Does:

Supports linkages with overseas institutions that promote research and training abroad for Americans.

Reinstates and extends undergraduate eligibility for Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships.

Strengthens relationships between National Language and Area Centers and Programs and state and local school districts.

Increases undergraduate study abroad opportunities as they relate to programs designed to enhance foreign language proficiency and deepen cultural knowledge.

Allows funding for Undergraduate International and Foreign Language Programs to be allowed to rise with demand rather than remain capped at a percentage of Part A funds.

Encourages the Department of Education to engage in the collection, analysis and dissemination of data on international education and foreign language needs.

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Upon learning of my successful election to the Board of Southwest Conference on Language Teaching in February, I began making plans for a truly busy two weeks in the spring. It was my privilege to represent California at the annual SWCOLT conference in Irving, Texas the week prior to our smashing conference in Ontario. It was a busy four days what with flying all the way to Texas and assembling our YOL display for starters. At the YOL reception early Friday evening, we made a great splash with all of our ongoing activities spearheaded by Nicole Naditz. I attended the SWCOLT Board Meeting on Saturday and Sunday, and I also attended some interesting sessions. I am very much looking forward to serving on the SWCOLT Board to improve two-way communication, to contribute what I can to the organization and to learn what I can to bring back. Our new collaborative effort should improve how both organizations operate. Knowledge always translates into improved practice.

For those interested, next year's conference will be held in Phoenix, March 13-16, 2006.

The bluebonnets were blooming, but the weather was far from balmy. My four days were not as jam-packed as Anne Fountain's who was also elected to the SWCOLT Board. She flew in from the East Coast on Friday, presented "The Best of California" session on Saturday and attended the Board Meeting on Sunday.

At the end of the four days, I was very grateful that I had booked my flights through LA rather than Denver, because the spring blizzard in Denver would have delayed me a whole day getting home.

Thank you CLTA for supporting me on the SWCOLT Board!

Strengthens and expands programs using electronic technologies to collect, organize, preserve and disseminate information from foreign sources on world regions and countries.

Increases the amount authorized for Part A international education programs, graduate and undergraduate, from $40 million to $120 million.

Increases the amount au