World Languages

News and Updates

World Languaged Proficiency Academy 2024

The Office of Language Acquisition is excited to announce its partnership with MAFLA, to continue the implementation of the 2021 World Languages Curriculum Framework. The Department is announcing the 2024 World Languages Proficiency Academy, June 24-26 at Westfield State University to support districts to implement rigorous, equitable, proficiency-based world languages programming as described in the framework and DESE's new Educational Vision. This professional development opportunity will support a limited number of World Language educators and leaders in MA public school districts and public charter schools to attend the academy at no cost. Participants may choose one of two strands, both of which span all three days of the Proficiency Academy. See more information about strands here:

Purpose: To align with the Department's Educational Vision , which prescribes that:

• Students learn through curriculum and instruction that aligns with Massachusetts curriculum frameworks at or above their grade level, connects to their identities, and utilizes evidence-based practices; and
• Students gain awareness of how they think, learn, relate, and Learning communicate, including in multiple languages/dialects.

Registration Information: The Department is funding a limited number of seats at the Proficiency Academy for current World Languages teachers and leaders in public school districts and public charter schools in Massachusetts. To see if DESE-funded spaces are still available, or to register for the World Languages Proficiency Academy, visit the Registration Survey Webpage.

Additional Information:

• Proficiency Academy Schedule
• Presenter Biographies

Please email worldlanguages@mass.gov with any questions. We hope to see you in June!

• The Office of Language Acquisition (OLA) supports the core discipline of world language by providing developing curriculum frameworks, providing resources to support the framework and world language programs, teachers, and students, and providing opportunities for world language educators and leaders to collaborate.
• As an essential component of multilingual education, World Language Network Meetings join with the ELE Network and the new Seal of Biliteracy Network and Dual Language Education Network to provide a quarterly, comprehensive, conference-style OLA Network meeting. Learn about and register for upcoming network meetings.

World Languages at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

We believe that all Massachusetts students should acquire linguistic and cultural proficiency in at least one language in addition to English. Proficiency in one or more world languages will empower all students to use languages other than English to tell their own stories, understand the stories of others, and engage with their communities.

Guiding Principles

The following principles are philosophical statements that underlie the standards and resources in the 2021 World Languages Curriculum Framework. They should guide the design and implementation of world language programs in schools. Programs guided by these principles will prepare students for success in college, career, and their lives as productive, global citizen

1. Effective world language programs invite, include, support, and benefit all students.
2. Effective world language programs lift up all students and empower them to act with cultural competence and critical consciousness.
3. Effective world language programs produce high levels of linguistic and cultural proficiency in one or more world languages in their students.
4. Effective world language programs are communicative and support meaningful, authentic, and affirming interactions in the target language.
5. Effective world language programs measure linguistic proficiency.
6. Effective world language programs foster risk-taking and mistake-making toward growth in linguistic and cultural proficiency.
7. Effective world language programs deliver meaningful, relevant, and cross-disciplinary content to motivate students to acquire the language and build proficiency.
8. Effective world language programs differentiate instruction and content, so that they are accessible, rigorous, and appropriate for all students.
9. Effective world language programs connect students to their peers in the classroom, their community, and speakers/signers of the target language throughout the world.
10. Effective world language programs promote social and emotional growth.

Last Updated: April 12, 2024