In the News Archive

Here are links to news articles and press releases we have posted on the site:

2005

  • Early Language Learning Symposium at UW
    A symposium held by the UW's Language Learning Center earlier this month has several students, faculty and staff members re-considering language requirements and when to begin teaching language. University of Washington Daily (11/23/2005)

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  • Richmond Elementary Wins Goldman Sachs Award
    Richmond Elementary in Portland, home to the city's oldest language immersion program in Japanese, wins the Goldman Sachs Award for Excellence in International Education. Portland is proposing to begin a new Mandarin Chinese immersion program at Woodstock Elementary and a new Spanish elementary immersion program within the Marshall High School area. Read the full story on the Portland Tribune website (11/18/2005).

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  • Sixth Annual International Week (Nov 14-18) Announced
    "We must understand what motivates those whose cultures and traditions are not our own. To achieve these goals, we must teach our children international education skills, which include the learning of other languages, cultures, and traditions."
    Read the full Press Release on State Dept. website. (11/8/2005)

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  • John Stanford International School Named "Best of the Best"
    Seattle school to receive an additional $15,000 award for being one of two top schools selected by the 2005 Intel and Scholastic Schools of Distinction Awards.

    "These outstanding schools demonstrate the importance of collaboration in expanding the educational resources and experiences that we can offer school children. Working directly with teachers and schools to promote a love of learning is core to Scholastic's mission, and this year's 'Best of the Best' winners serve as excellent examples of how business and communities can work with schools to enhance academic opportunities for tomorrow's leaders," said Francie Alexander, chief academic officer, Scholastic.
    Read the full Scholastic Press Release Oct. 6, 2005...

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  • John Stanford International School named "School of Distinction"
    John Stanford International School is one of 20 K through 12 schools receiving the prestigious "Schools of Distinction Award", sponsored by Intel Corp. and Scholastic. The award includes $10,000 and curriculum and professional development resources, software and hardware. One primary and one secondary school will be named Best of the Best at a gala event in Washington D.C. on Oct. 6th. Keep your fingers crossed! Read the full Intel Press Release...

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  • Series on Foreign Languages on KPLU 88.5 by Deborah Wang
  • Importance of Education to Bridge to the World
    Here is an interesting opinion piece in the Seattle PI. It includes a survey with more than 86% responding that knowing more than one language is "essential" or "important" for today's students.
    View PI Survey 6/2/2005.

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  • Global Studies Promoted at International Studies Schools Conference
    Three hundred educators gathered at the conference in Colorado to explore how to internationalize the curriculum and increase students' and teachers' understanding of the world. Edweek.org 3/2/2005
     
  • Washington Teacher Of The Year Awarded $1500 "International Education Scholarship" To Create Global Connections
    Tamara Steen    , Washington State "Teacher of the Year" was presented with a $1500 "International Education Scholarship" at the opening session of the 12th Annual OSPI January Conference, held in Seattle, WA January 19-20. Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson announced the award before the 4000 teachers in attendance. Read Press Release 1/28/2005.
     
  • North Carolina Senator Introduces Bill on Global Education
    North Carolina Senator A.B. Swindell intends to introduce legislation to promote global education because of the importance of Asia to the economy of North Carolina and the nation. Read the article (PDF)
     
  • The Conversation with Ross Reynolds on "The Year of Languages"
    Aired January 3, 2005 at 1 pm Pacific KUOW 94.9 fm. Available on the Conversation archive - http://www.kuow.org/TheConversation.asp. Listen to the program via streaming audio.
     
  • 2005: Year of Languages
    The U.S. has a long history of apathy (or even hostility) with regard to learning foreign languages. Now we are paying the price for our lack of attention to foreign languages. Are priorities going to change? "Enter '2005: The Year of Languages,' a national public awareness campaign that may be our best hope to put language learning in the spotlight and engage in a fruitful national conversation about the relationship between Americans and foreign language learning."
    ASCD (Dec 2004/Jan 2005 pages 20-23)

Google Alerts

Parents invited to overview on language immersion
TheNewsTribune.com (subs) - Tacoma, WA, USA 11/9/2005
Parents interested in learning more about the advantages of foreign language immersion for their kids are invited to a free program Nov. 17 (by Michele Anciaux Aoki at Sheridan Elementary).
 

Foreign language goes varsity
OregonLive.com - Portland, OR, USA 10/8/2005
... Portland is on track to become a nationally known school system for Chinese language immersion ...

What the Heck?
Honolulu Star-Bulletin - Honolulu, HI, USA 10/2/2005
... In two decades, Punana Leo has quietly helped establish Hawaiian language immersion programs from preschool to Ph.D...

 

2004

  • Japanese Officials and the College Board Announce an Advanced Placement Program® Course in Japanese Language and Culture (November 10, 2004)
    Ambassador of Japan Ryozo Kato and College Board President Gaston Caperton today announced the creation of an Advanced Placement Program (AP) course and examination in Japanese Language and Culture, part of the College Board’s commitment to promoting instruction in world languages and cultures in American schools. Download press release from Internationaled.org.
     
  • International School Highlighted in New Publication
    Seattle's John Stanford International School is recognized by the nonprofit Asia Society and the Goldman Sachs Foundation in a new national report, "Schools for the Global Age: Promising Practices in International Education." Michele Anciaux Aoki, director of educational programs at the World Affairs Council in Seattle is quoted: "We are not building the capacity we need in this country to communicate with the rest of the world on their terms." The Seattle Times (free registration) (11/16/2004)
     
  • Brain Power Increased by Learning Languages
    Learning other languages alters the gray matter in the brain, especially in "early" bilinguals, according to Researchers from University College London. BBC News (11/13/2004)
     
  • 2005 State Teacher of the Year Named
    The 2005 Teacher of the Year was named on October 28, 2004 by Supt. Terry Bergeson. Tamara Steen is an arts and English teacher at Mabton Junior/Senior High School, located in eastern Washington. After spending her first year in education as an exchange teacher in Australia, Steen has spent the last 21 years teaching in this tiny town with less than 2,000 residents.
    See: OSPI Press Page.
     
  • Connecting South African schools through wireless technology
    Students and teachers in five schools across South Africa are connecting through the Ulwazi e-learning project, using virtual whiteboards, microphones and the World Wide Web. CNN (10/27/2004)
     
  • The Future of English in China
    With new higher standards for English, major cities in China may be functionally bilingual within 10 years according to Li Yong-tao, a professor of English language and culture at Shanghai University, but rural areas may be left behind. The Guardian (London) (10/22/2004)
     
  • Teaching Spanish through Cable TV
    Arlington, Massachusetts is offering a half-hour Spanish instruction show on community cable in order to continue the Spanish language program in seven elementary schools. The Boston Globe (10/21/2004)
     

  • CAL announces:
    Language by Video: An Overview of Foreign Language Instructional Videos for Children by Nancy C. Rhodes & Ingrid Pufahl.
    Language by Video describes how foreign language instructional videos are used in a variety of settings as a supplement or alternative to traditional foreign language instruction with elementary school students. This book will be of special interest to schools and educators considering alternatives to traditional foreign language instruction. The information is presented in a user-friendly format, with practical implications and recommendations as well as suggestions for future research on this timely topic. (7/22/2004)
     

  • Joint Initiative Promoting Spanish Language, Culture In Washington: Officials From Olympia And Spain Honor Top Teachers, Students
    Twenty students have been recognized in a Spanish literary contest, along with 18 teachers who have received full scholarships to attend Spain’s University of Salamanca this summer. “This joint initiative came about because the educational leaders of Spain and Washington state recognized the importance of multiculturalism and realized they should not miss the opportunity to cooperate in designing a new educational model for the new millennium,” says Dr. Terry Bergeson, State Superintendent of Public Instruction. (6/15/2004)
     

  • Columnist: All students should learn a 2nd language
    The Oregonian columnist Robert Landauer states: "Oregonians will be increasingly marginalized -- less competitive, less prosperous, less secure -- in a globalizing world if high-grade foreign-language instruction doesn't begin in our elementary schools. Second-language proficiency needs to become both an exit requirement from high school and an entrance requirement for public universities."   The Oregonian (Portland) (6/15/2004)
     

  • Liberia: Former Child Soldiers Want Education
    Most of the 2,800 former child soldiers who have turned over their weapons and demobilised during Liberia's current disarmament exercise, tell the carers appointed to look after them that they want education to help them to rebuild their future. AllAfrica Global Media/UN Integrated Regional Information Networks (6/17/2004)
     

  • UW helps students learn Arabic, set goals for future
    With support from the UW, a nonprofit group called OneWorld Now! has been offering Arabic language classes at four Seattle high schools since September. Eight students will travel to Morocco this summer. University Week (5/27/2004)
     
  • Teacher is first Peace Corps veteran to be named NASA astronaut
    Joseph Acaba was born in Puerto Rico, then went to the Dominican Republic in 1994 with the Peace Corps. He's been a middle school math and science teacher and now he is fulfilling his dream of becoming an astronaut. See complete Article in Lexington Herald-Leader (Ky.)/Orange County Register. (5/10/2004)
     
  • Four Programs Leading Innovation in Education Receive Grants of $150,000  OneWorld Now! Global Leadership Youth Program (Seattle, WA): Founded in 2002, OneWorld Now! provides education in global leadership through a demanding and comprehensive after-school program for low-income Seattle public high school students that includes classes in Chinese or Arabic, leadership training, travel to China or Morocco, and internships in international affairs or education. With the Foundation's support, the program will expand its service from 70 to 100 students annually and offer significant college and financial aid advising. See complete Press Release at http://www.jackkentcookefoundation.org/. (5/5/2004)
     
  • Watson Fellowships awarded to two grads from Garfield High School in Seattle. Tara Martin and Maria Coryell-Martin, both GHS grads from four years ago, have each won prestigious $22,000 Watson Fellowships for next year. What is a Watson Fellowship? It's a one year grant for independent study and travel outside the United States awarded to graduating seniors from 50 participating institutions. Tara is a senior at Harvey Mudd College in Claremont CA and will travel to Argentina, Brazil and Cape Verde to study dance. Maria is graduating from Carleton College in Minnesota and will be traveling to five extreme climates to paint landscape and study its effect on culture. For more information, see http://www.watsonfellowship.org/.
     
  • A Common Language Creates an Uncommon Bond
    A feature article in the George Lucas Educational Foundation (GLEF) Edutopia Online Magazine highlighting Portland's Japanese Magnet Program at Richmond Elementary, Mt.Tabor Middle School, and Grant High School, that has been called a "model program" by the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL).
     
  • CAL announces:
    The Development of Bilingualism and Biliteracy from Grade 3 to 5: A Summary of Findings from the CAL/CREDE Study of Two-Way Immersion Education (RR 13)
    by Elizabeth R. Howard, Donna Christian, & Fred Genesee
    Center for Research on Education, Diversity, & Excellence (CREDE)
    This report describes the first two-way immersion study to look at the language and literacy development of both native Spanish speakers and native English speakers, over time, in a multidimensional way, and from a national perspective. The report presents the research design and analysis of data gathered in this CAL/CREDE study. It offers a discussion of the study and its findings. RR 13 (37 pp). Order online from the CAL Store.
     
  • Spring issue of New Horizons for Learning's Quarterly Journal
    includes a number of articles related to International Education, including:
  • Foreign Language Classes for 7-year-olds (in Britain)
    "From the age of seven, children will be offered tests in more than 20 foreign languages as part of revolutionary approach to the way the subject is taught." The Independent (London) (3/11/2004)
     
  • USA Today Analysis: English won't be sole language of the future
    WASHINGTON (AP) — The idea that English will become the world language is outdated, with the future more likely to see people switching between two or more languages for routine communications, a British language expert says in a new analysis. The share of the world's population that speaks English as a native language is falling, David Graddol reports. Instead, English will play a growing role as a second language, he says in the journal Science. ... its major contribution will be in creating new generations of bilingual and multilingual speakers, he reports. English-only speakers may find it difficult to fully participate in a multilingual society, he said. ... By 2050, he says, Chinese will continue its predominance, with Hindi-Urdu of India and Arabic climbing past English, and Spanish nearly equal to it.
     
  • Schools cut back on foreign language classes
    "In a state that once pushed foreign language lessons as early as kindergarten, North Carolina elementary schools have been steadily curtailing instruction in second languages to devote more time and effort to basic reading and math instruction in English." The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.) (2/23/2004)
     
  • More schools outsourcing language instructors
    Public and private schools are outsourcing to companies like Berlitz International in order to find foreign language teachers.
    The New York Times (free registration)     (2/18/2004)
     
  • Connecting the World of Education
    "We cannot educate our children in isolation from the greater global context in which we live." By Gene R. Carter, Executive Director, Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development ASCD editorial (2/18/2004)
     
  • SEATTLE; January 14, 2004 One World Now! and Starbucks Partnership Supports Seattle Youth To Encourage Youth in Areas of Leadership and the Arts. As a result of their partnership, a $10,000 Starbucks Foundation grant has been awarded to help One World Now! further their dynamic leadership program for Seattle high school students. For more information, visit www.oneworld-now.org.
     
  • See the new series in the Seattle Times Newspapers in Education program, entitled Intercultural Communications. Topic for January 21, 2004: World Citizen.
     
  • College Board announces new Advanced Placement Test for Chinese Language
    Representatives of the People's Republic of China and College Board President Gaston Caperton have announced the creation of an Advanced Placement Program ® (AP®) Course and Examination in Chinese Language and Culture, citing China's growing economic significance and the College Board's commitment to promoting cultural understanding in America's schools as motivating forces behind the decision.
    See press release: http://www.collegeboard.com/press/article/0,3183,30831,00.html
     

2003

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