Strands
Our conference is organized into strands, which are themed pathways designed to help attendees tailor their experience. Each strand groups together sessions, workshops, and discussions that focus on a specific topic area or lens. By following a strand, participants can dive deeper into the subjects most relevant to their interests or roles.
A
Standards
Teaching Toolkit Essentials: Standards-based Engagement in World Languages
Discover how to simplify your planning and elevate your impact in the World Languages classroom using the latest California Standards and Framework. Join colleagues for a hands-on, supportive exploration of proven and innovative resources—traditional and tech-based—centered on Core Practices. Build a toolkit filled with strategies for fostering community, belonging, and intercultural understanding so every lesson reaches students’ hearts and minds. Leave ready to boost language proficiency, cultural awareness, and multiliteracy skills for all learners. Whether you’re seeking clarity on standards or creative ways to engage students, this strand will guide you on a clear path to professional growth and classroom success.
Strand Facilitators - Christine Lanphère & Daphne Tapia-Williams
B
AI
Generative AI: Practical Strategies for World Language Educators
Experience a hands-on, collaborative week designed for K-12 world language educators eager to harness the potential of generative AI, guided by the California World Languages Framework and ACTFL Core Practices. Explore practical, classroom-ready strategies for integrating AI efficiently and ethically to support all learners. Through interactive sessions, you’ll demystify AI’s role in education and discover creative tools for lesson planning, design, and building engaging, culturally authentic tasks. Develop techniques for prompt engineering and responsible tool selection to foster student AI literacy and empower critical thinking. You’ll leave equipped to communicate transparently about AI use, navigate ethical considerations, and share best practices with students and families. Connect with peers, expand your toolkit, and embrace innovation in world language teaching. This session is geared towards those who are relatively new to leveraging AI in world language education, but all are welcome.
Strand Facilitator - Nicole Naditz
C
DLI
Dual Language Immersion: Equity and the Promise of AI
Join fellow dual language immersion educators for a collaborative week that reimagines how bilingual minds flourish in the 21st-century classroom. Explore strategies to build transformative social-emotional learning competencies, advance equity, and integrate AI with integrity. Engage in dialogue on redesigning curriculum and incorporating translanguaging theory and practice, all through a lens of social justice and possibility. Discover actionable approaches to ensure students thrive as global citizens, achieving language proficiency and cultural competency in inclusive, supportive environments. Examine barriers that challenge equitable dual language immersion, and work together to develop best practices for all immersion models. Leave equipped with practical tools, resources, and a network of educators dedicated to empowering multilingual learners with empathy, agency, and innovation.
Strand Facilitators - Wendy Cheong & Iman Hashem
D
Spanish
Abriendo Camino para la Equidad, Justicia y Crecimiento en la Clase de Español
Immerse yourself in a collaborative, Spanish-only strand tailored for second language and heritage Spanish educators. Explore proven core practices focused on unit planning, lesson design, and facilitating vibrant discussions in the target language. Engage in a communal design journey—crafting units that incorporate all communicative modes and honor equity and social justice through a critical pedagogical lens. The workshop highlights strategies for integrating civic engagement projects, enabling students to apply their Spanish skills in meaningful community initiatives. Throughout, you’ll develop strategies for fostering student-centered environments where learners actively grapple with real-world issues in Spanish. Dialogue and collaborate with dedicated peers, and leave the week with ready-to-implement lessons and a supportive professional network. Every experience is designed to empower you and your students to use Spanish confidently for meaningful, reflective communication.
Strand Facilitators - Dr. Maylén RR Sullivan & Michael Silva
E
Portuguese
Pathway to Portuguese for Certified Spanish Teachers
Certified Spanish teachers can expand their impact by becoming qualified to teach Portuguese through a dynamic program with Fresno State’s Kremen School of Education, the Central California World Language Project (CCWLP), and the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI). Participants will gain advanced linguistic and cultural competence in Portuguese, meet certification requirements, and empower California students to become multilingual, fostering academic success and global engagement. The strand develops Portuguese proficiency, introduces innovative, student-centered teaching strategies, and deepens understanding of the Portuguese diaspora in California and beyond. By the end of the strand, participants will be prepared and eligible to begin teaching Portuguese, opening new opportunities for students to become culturally competent, multilingual learners empowered to thrive in an interconnected world.
Strand Facilitators - Deniz Borges, Nancy Perez, Dr. Duarte Silva
F
French
Around the world in six French-speaking cities
Embark on a virtual journey across six vibrant villes francophones from around the globe, exploring the rich cultural and linguistic diversity that defines today’s French-speaking world. In this engaging strand, participants will “visit” a unique city on a different continent each day, gathering real-world resources, classroom-ready materials, and authentic texts for immediate use. Collaborate with fellow educators to design lessons and activities that highlight intercultural connections and inspire student curiosity. Leave with a toolkit of dynamic strategies for deepening students’ global awareness, critical thinking, and communication skills in French—and be ready to bring the excitement of international exploration home to your classroom.
Strand Facilitator - Dr. Cécile Nedellec
G
Japanese
Centering Humanity in the Japanese Classroomin the Era of AI
In an era of rapidly advancing AI and students’ increasing need for connection, how can Japanese language teachers keep a sense of shared humanity, belonging, and global awareness at the center of instruction? This interactive strand invites participants to collaboratively design content rich, purpose driven units that address real world and societal issues while fostering intercultural understanding and global connections. Participants will develop instructional units that integrate authentic resources, meaningful assessments, and ACTFL Core Practices aligned activities. They will leave with classroom ready strategies, thoughtful unit design concepts, and inspiration for human centered Japanese language teaching.
Strand Facilitators - Dr. Yoshiko Saito-Abbott & Ann Jordan
PLEASE NOTE
This year, we have received a generous donation allowing us to offer some scholarship funds for this strand. We encourage all those interested in registering for the Japanese Strand to apply for the scholarship by completing the application at the link below, or on the scholarship page. Visit the scholarship page for more information, and apply for the scholarship by completing the application at the link below.
H
Mandarin
AI & Global Competence: Justice and Sustainability in Mandarin
Explore innovative ways to use artificial intelligence to empower Mandarin learners as global citizens in this forward-looking strand. Discover classroom-tested strategies for integrating AI tools to streamline curriculum development, personalize instruction, and foster intercultural competence. Delve into real-world examples and practical resources focused on social justice and environmental sustainability, aligned with global learning goals. Collaborate and leave equipped to help students engage thoughtfully with complex global issues, develop essential 21st-century skills, and communicate effectively in Mandarin. In this context, AI symbolizes more than technology—it stands for advanced instruction, interculturality, achievement, and inspiration. Join peers in reimagining Mandarin education for a more connected, just, and sustainable world.
Strand Facilitators - Ying Jin & Hsiao-Yun (Angela) Liao
PLEASE NOTE
This year, we have received a generous donation allowing us to offer some scholarship funds for this strand. We encourage all those interested in registering for the Mandarin Strand to apply for the scholarship by completing the application at the link below.
I
Leadership
Transformational Leadership Development: Change, Representation, Equity and Access
Open to all language educators, this strand develops leadership through the Social Change Model as a foundational framework to focus on individual, group, and societal change. Teachers will learn to develop leadership skills at all levels, from classroom to district, state, regional, and national platforms. Key tenets include the power of representation, ethical and equitable practices, and opening the doors of opportunity through accessible approaches. In a time of challenging socio-political contexts, you will learn advocacy strategies for promoting language learning alongside positive social change. Key takeaways will include leadership development, actionable steps, mentorship, and identity-based leadership. Come to learn, grow, build community, and put steps into practice.
Strand Facilitators - Dr. Krishauna Hines-Gaither & Dr. Ali Miano
J
Student
Pathways to Teaching: Inspiring Future Language Educators
Discover the power of teaching languages and cultures as a force for positive change in this supportive strand designed for college undergraduates considering a career in world language education. Engage with peers and inspiring guest speakers as you explore credentialing pathways, high-leverage practices, and frameworks that guide effective teaching. Participate in collaborative projects, interviews, and reflective activities that illuminate what it means to be an agent of change and to center student identity, belonging, and global competency in every classroom. Leave with practical insights, sample lessons, expanded networks, and a deeper understanding of how language educators help shape confident, culturally aware, and globally engaged learners.
Strand Facilitators - Dr. LJ Randolph & Mio Nishimura
PLEASE NOTE
This strand is for university students who may consider becoming a language educator as a career. All university students are eligible, however, we encourage especially sophomores and juniors to apply. Students interested need to apply at the link below to register their interest. All applicants who are admitted to the program will receive a scholarship that covers room (double occupancy), board (meals, except for one night out on the town) and registration. Students are responsible to provide their own transportation to/from UC Santa Barbara, and personal spending money. Click on the button below for additional details, and to apply for this strand.