Get Ready for the PSMLA Fall Conference Before This School Year Ends
PSMLA is preparing for the annual conference this November 6-7, 2026 in State College. Here’s what you need to know before summer vacation:
- Registration opens August 1. Rates and inclusions have been posted. Take advantage of the early bird rate by September 5.
- Be sure your membership is valid through the conference, which also allows you to benefit from the reduced rate and to be eligible for Act 48 hours.
- Reservations are open for the hotel room block.
All details can be found at psmla.org. Stay tuned to future updates throughout the summer, including the list of sessions and presenters, our keynote speaker, and special activities.
Western PA Collaboration Day
On Monday, August 10, 2026 join fellow world language educators for an engaging and collaborative workshop supporting teachers in Beaver, Butler, Mercer, Lawrence and surrounding counties.
The workshop will focus on back-to-school no brainer strategies to start your year off right! We will provide practical strategies, collaborative activities, and fresh ideas to enhance communication and language learning in today’s classrooms. Participants will have the opportunity to connect with colleagues and hear from PSMLA President, Mike Bogdan, on the state of World Language Education in Pennsylvania.
Regardless of the world language you teach, this workshop will offer valuable insights for educators at all levels and languages. Come ready to learn, collaborate, and leave energized with new tools to support your students’ success. We look forward to learning with you!
Email traci@psmla.org if you have any questions!
PA Seal of Biliteracy Reporting Form
Help us keep track! If you have students who qualified for the PA Seal of Biliteracy (a minimum of intermediate-high proficiency in English and a second language), please complete this reporting form so PSMLA can track the data for the state. The form is open until August so that you can also report the information for students who qualify for the Seal by taking an AP World Language Exam.
PSMLA WL Resource Hub
Check out this new informational resource to learn about opportunities for you and your students. There are scholarships, awards, grants, travel opportunities and more! Also, find out what other WL teachers are doing to strengthen their programs, make cross-curricular connections with other subjects and connect their students with collegiate and community events.
Aspiring & Early WL Educator Teachers
Are you within your first 5 years of teaching world languages or do you have students who aspire to become a WL teacher? Visit our new resource page that includes information about grants, scholarships, awards, travel abroad opportunities and more! There are resources for high school, undergraduate and graduate students, new WL teachers and also for people interested in getting their WL certificate if they already possess a bachelor’s degree in another subject area.
Pennsylvania Language Forum — Become a published author!
PSMLA´s premier language journal, the Pennsylvania Language Forum (PLF) is accepting submissions for our fall issue!
Do you have an exciting lesson plan, strategy, or research to share? The PLF editors want your submissions. The deadline for our fall issue is August 15.
Additionally, we invite researchers to submit to our Peer Review team for consideration, it’s a great opportunity to publish your research article. Check out the journal details on how to submit.
Read the journal today!
Celebrating Hispanic Roots Writing Contest
Middle and high school students are invited to participate in a writing contest in which they uncover and share the stories of Hispanic presence, culture, and leadership in their own communities. Prizes include an education trip to Spain for the student and teacher. Submissions are due June 15. Visit the Vista Higher Learning website for full details.
Advocacy Announcements
JNCL-NCLIS Releases World Language Survey Findings & Recommendations
Stay in the know by viewing what educators in 37 states are saying. The results provide timely insight into both the challenges facing language programs and the innovative practices being implemented to sustain and strengthen them.
Review the survey findings here!
Spanish Teacher (FT), Central PA
Mechanicsburg Area School District is seeking a Spanish Teacher at the Senior High School effective for the 2026/2027 school year.
Please visit this website for more information.
German Teacher (FT), Central PA
Hempfield School District is looking for a new German teacher that will travel between both middle schools and teach German 1 and an exploratory German class. The German Team at Hempfield consists of one and a half other teachers and has an established German American Partnership Program in Lübben, Germany. There are 6 levels of German offered in total at Hempfield –including AP German Language and Culture and a German History and Culture Through Film Course. There is a very active German Club and incredibly motivated students.
Please view the full posting here.
PSMLA Resources
PSMLA’s World Language Professional Development Calendar
Stay up to date with professional development opportunities around the state from various organizations, by adding the PSMLA-curated PA WL Professional Development Calendar. You can find the calendar on PSMLA’s website or you can subscribe to it by clicking HERE.
Have an event that you would like to add to this calendar? Share it with us at jen@psmla.org with details.