February 2008 ::

February 20, 2008

Fall Conference Proposals

In anticipation of the 2010 World Equestrian Games, the 2008 KWLA Fall Conference will be held in Lexington at the Radisson Plaza Hotel September 25-27, 2008. Mark your calendars now for Saddle Up! The World Is Coming! The Conference Committee invites all members and prospective members to submit a proposal for a presentation, a workshop, a panel discussion and/or a poster session. Preference will be given to proposals in the following categories: assessment, best practices, community/advocacy, literacy, literature/research, technology, and units of study. Proposals will be accepted until March 3, 2008. Presenters will be notified by May 30, 2008. Online Proposal Form

February 11, 2008

"Discover Languages" Resolution Passes

The Kentucky House of Representative has adopted House Resolution No. 42 on February 6, 2008. The Resolution proclaims February as "Discover Languages Month" in Kentucky. To print a copy of the resolution: click here To find ideas to celebrate "Discover Languages Month" in your school: click here

February 05, 2008

Frankfort Makes the Grade in Languages … Barely

Capitol scores a solid C- in “Pop Quiz” to Generate Awareness of National “Discover Languages” Campaign 301 Kentucky Capitol lunch-goers including many State Legislators were asked "What time is it?" in Chinese, French, Japanese and Spanish today. The results indicate the Kentucky’s legislators and visitors to the State Capitol need more language skills to support the state’s position on the world stage. The surprise "Pop Quiz" was conducted by more than 100 world language students from Fayette, Franklin and Jessamine County schools. The results were:

129 passers-by did not respond at all to the question.
126 responded, politely, in English. Sometimes with comprehension.
46 people responded accurately in the correct language.

"As Kentucky prepares to host the 2010 World Equestrian Games and tries to become a player in the global market place," said Kentucky World Language Association President Thomas Sauer, "there’s never been a more important time for all Kentuckians to bring the critical importance of language learning to the top of the agenda in Kentucky." Media Coverage: - WTVQ 36 - Frankfort State Journal