Dear Reader,

We hope you are enjoying a satisfying summer. In this issue you will learn a bit about Global Washington, the New World Languages Supervisor position at the Office of Superintendent for Public Instruction, as well learn of useful resources and upcoming events.

As always, keep in touch, and please email the editor, Aysha Haq, at intledwa@gmail.com with any questions or suggestions.

Thank you.

For the first time in over 20 years, the Washington State Legislature funded the reestablishment of the position of World Languages Program Supervisor at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction in Olympia. Dr. Michele Anciaux Aoki, one of the founders of the Washington State Coalition for International Education, was hired to fill the position this summer. Her new duties are varied, including providing technical assistance to schools and districts adding language programs at the elementary level or expanding opportunities and languages taught at the high school level. The state is also hoping to expand its ability to provide J1 visas for visiting language teachers from abroad to teach in our schools.

"I am excited to support the development of a world-class language learning system in our state, with many pathways for students to learn languages, demonstrate proficiency, and connect to the world," Michele stated. "Please invite me to visit your schools, districts, colleges, programs, organizations, and businesses. An important part of my job is to be a liaison from our state agency to the many wonderful grassroots efforts in global education happening around our state."

You can reach Michele at OSPI in Olympia at michele.aoki@k12.wa.us.

The Global State of Washington Initiative works to strengthen the state's global development sector by serving as an information resource, building capacity, and facilitating opportunities for exchange. One of its three goals is to promote global learning opportunities for Washington's students. Much more information can be found by visiting their website, Global Washington.

Some of the global learning work Global Washington has already completed include an International and Global Learning Inventory of the state's 19 four-year degree granting institutions, as well as the formation of the Global Washington Education Advisory Council (GWEAC) and the development of the Global Learning Goals for Higher Education. Both the Inventory and the Goals are available on their website.

 
Global Washington's next effort is to convene stakeholders in Global Learning within K-16 to determine who is doing what, and what role Global Washington might be able to play.

The Coalition has just begun working with Global Washington to examine how our missions are aligned and how we might be able to work better, together.Please stay tuned---we may be reaching out to our Coalition members to see what your thoughts are.

In the meantime, don't hesitate to contact Global Washington directly (info@globalwa.org) if you have questions, comments, or suggestions!          

The Coalition is working with the Mapping and Enhancing Language Learning (MELL) project at the UW to organize a statewide PK-20 World Languages Summit on November 6 at the University of Washington. Featured keynote speaker and provocateur during the day will be Paul Sandrock from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and former President of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. The MELL project plans to present several policy briefs from the 2007 survey of languages
taught in Washington high schools. Other sessions will address the gap between high school to college language classes and early language learning.

A 4:00-7:00 p.m. workshop will highlight models of success in a wide variety of language programs and resources, as well as a more in-depth look at options for assessing language proficiency. To learn more, visit our website: World Languages Summit.

Save the date!

For full details, visit the Calendar and Announcements pages on our website.