JNCL Presents “Elevating Language Learning”

Lesley Chapman, OFLA Advocacy Chair
French Teacher, Sycamore High School

As language educators, we all aspire to influence our students’ futures as lifelong language learners, and our strongest language programs begin inside the classroom with the student experience.  But our students tend to suffer from imposter syndrome, don’t they? “I can’t do that.” “I’m not good enough.” As teachers, we can encourage, but students are much more comfortable hearing from their peers about their own experiences.

Enter JNCL (Joint National Committee for Languages) and their new webinar series, “Elevating Language Learning”. This series pairs language students with professionals who are using language in their fields of expertise for conversations about how multilingualism can lead to multiple opportunities both at work and in life.

Three of their current titles are: 

• “William and Jillian”:  William (student) speaks with Jillian (Manager of US Operations of the Pulsera Project), discussing the benefits of being multilingual and of cultural exchange.
• “Sarah and Howard”: Sarah (student) discusses the importance of bilingualism with Howard (Education Foreign Service Officer at the U.S. Agency for International Development).
• “Cody and Matthew”: Cody (student) and Matthew (French Program Manager at Xperitas) discuss cultural exchange. 

I have shared these with my juniors and seniors as they contemplate how they can incorporate their language goals with their career or personal goals. These webinars lead to excellent in-class conversations and dreams for the future.