PSMLA Fall Conference – Time Running Out to Register
Regular registration continues for the conference through September 30. Save $30 by registering in September with access to the following events on October 16-17:
- Over 40 professional learning sessions
- Roundtables, panels, and unconference sessions
- Continental breakfast and buffet lunch both days
- Thursday night social
- Awards ceremony
- Keynote speaker
- Exhibit hall
Here’s a preview of just a few of the exciting sessions offered:
- Generative AI as Your World Language Thought Partner
- Elevate Your Classroom: Master Effective Management
- Exploring Culture Through Culinary Crossroads
- From Learning to Mastery: Guiding Students Toward True Proficiency
Will we see you there? Visit psmla.org for full details.
The editors of the Pennsylvania Language Forum seek your input in a brief survey related to teacher growth and professional joy. There are four brief questions and results are anonymous and may be featured in our Fall issue!
Notice to all PSMLA members from the PEP Committee
Does your high school offer an exemplary world language program? In 2005, the Pennsylvania State Modern Language Association (PSMLA) launched an initiative to identify and publicly recognize excellent foreign language programs across the state. The PSMLA Exemplary Program (PEP) Awards are given to schools with well-designed, sequential programs that enable students to attain foreign language standards, who submit evidence showing how their programs meet 11 indicators on the PEP Rubric.
PEP is not a competition. All high schools (public, private, charter) that apply and meet the criteria established by PSMLA will receive an award and will be featured on the PSMLA website www.psmla.org and in our publications. PA world language programs are recognized at four levels:
PSMLA Golden Globe, Silver Globe, Bronze Globe, and Globe Awards.
The PEP Committee will soon send out a detailed letter explaining the PEP Program, including explanations and the PEP rubric, to all school district (SD) Superintendents. In the meantime, all pertinent information and details can be found at https://psmla.net/pep-awards. Please note that the Seal of Biliteracy and the Global Scholar Program support parts of the PEP Application. The submission date for this year’s PEP applications is Saturday, February 14, 2026. Take a moment to speak with your department chair, principal, &/or Superintendent regarding the letter and PSMLA’s support for your World Language programs and initiatives. Feel free to contact us with any questions and/or concerns.
Be well.
PEP Committee Chairs
Mina Mina.Levenson@gmail.com
Isabel isabel@psmla.org
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.
Call for Proposals: IUP Spring Methodology Conference on Language Teaching
Come help us celebrate our fiftieth anniversary conference by submitting a proposal for the 2026 Indiana University of Pennsylvania Spring Methodology on Foreign Language Teaching to share with your colleagues what you do best in your foreign language classes.
Learn more about submitting a proposal and the conference on the IUP website.
Russian Flagship Programs Virtual Open House
Is the Russian Flagship Program right for you?
Flagship students pursue the major of their choice, develop professional-level proficiency in Russian, and graduate as global professionals.
In this free Virtual Open House, you can learn more about the program’s unique benefits, generous funding, and meet current Flagship students and faculty from the University of Georgia, Indiana University, Portland State University, and the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Join us on Zoom to learn how Flagship can enhance your academic life.
Wednesday, October 8, 7:00-8:00 PM Eastern, 6:00-7:00 PM Central, 4:00-5:00 PM Pacific
Register online today!
Questions? Contact: russflag@pdx.edu
Action Advocacy Day (AAD)
JNCL-NCLIS is hosting Action Advocacy Day on Monday, September 29, 2025. This is a virtual event where you can advocate for language programs at the state level to gather support for federal funding initiatives. The cost is $150.
Please use this registration link to have your voice heard.
Input Needed from World Language Educators
JNCL-NCLIS is reaching out to ask you to complete a brief survey that will help to better understand the programs, priorities, and challenges you face in your district. Your responses will directly inform the tools, data, and resources they develop to support our work — from messaging guides to legislative briefs and community engagement templates.
Take this short survey today:
Help Inform Us on Language Learning in K-12 Schools
Advocacy Action Alerts
Help Save International Exchange Programs At Department of State
The Alliance for International Exchange is calling on all language advocates to help save international exchange programs at the Department of State.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has targeted at least 22 Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) programs whose FY25 awards it intends to cut, which amounts to approximately $100 million in funding. Eliminating the FY25 funding for these programs will greatly damage 75+ years of exchange activity and the legacy of Senator Fulbright.
Act Now!
Take Action On International Education
The Coalition for International Exchange and the National Humanities Alliance have requested support from all language advocates to support international education programs. The coalition is calling on the Department of Education to release grant monies tied to FY 25-26 since the U.S. Office of Management and Budget’s Director Russell Vought and the U.S. Department of Education’s Secretary Linda McMahon have not released and allocated the $85,664,000 provided in the FY 2025 Full-Year Continuing Resolution Act for the Higher Education Act-Title VI, and Fulbright-Hays 102(b)(6).
These funds for the U.S. Department of Education’s International Education and Foreign Language Studies account are crucial for our nation’s security and global economic competitiveness. Take action today and urge your Members of Congress to demand the release and allocation of these funds.
Act Now!
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