Language Education: A Vital Component of International Education International Education Summit-Princeton N.J. The Case for Languages in Connecticut Christine Brown Director of Languages, Glastonbury Ct. Public Schools

The States’ Initiative Mandated by the State Legislature Led by an International Education Committee Chaired by a legislator Comprised of Language and Social Studies Professionals Includes Representatives from Business and Higher Education Reports directly to the Legislature and the Commissioner of Education

Accomplishments Adapted a Global Education Survey to include questions on the scope of language programs Administered Survey to School Superintendents and District Level Curriculum Specialists Conducted focus groups Helped to establish an International Education Committee as a part of the State Superintendents Association

Work of the Committee Held a Conference on International Education for School Superintendents Created a rubric for evaluating outstanding international education programs in the state Established languages and international content as necessary components of excellent programs Considered travel and exchange programs as integral parts of excellent programs Worked collaboratively with the Hartford World Affairs Council

Work Cont. Planned for an educational delegation to travel to China to establish partner schools (Delegation Includes Language and Social Studies Educators as well as School Superintendents) Plan to work with the New England Association for the Accreditation of Schools and Colleges to create new International Education Guidelines

2005 Year of Languages Committee Educators Members of the International Ed. Committee Superintendents College President Dean Business Councils World Affairs Council Arts Organizations Heritage Organizations Media

Statewide Activities for 2005 State Language Teacher Conference devoted to YOL ideas and activities Proclamation from the Governor and the State Legislature Displays of students work in the State Legislative Offices Collaborative Activities with state cultural and arts groups Coverage by local, state and ethnic media

Outreach Work with restaurateurs and food and beverage associations to infuse languages into existing events Work with colleges and universities to sponsor language “tasters” and workshops Work with entertainers, cultural performing groups and storytellers to highlight the value of languages in their work Work with sports teams and clubs to celebrate languages, cultures and our multilingual athletes

Outreach Work with CBIA and the World Affairs Council of Hartford to foster high level corporate commitment to language learning and language preservation Work with Native American Tribes in Connecticut to forge alliances in language preservation and reclamation Work with early childhood educators and parent groups Work with Humanitarian Organizations in CT