The Nebraska International Languages Association is a professional organization for all elementary, secondary, college and university teachers, supervisors, and students of world languages.
The NILA is an affiliate of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), Central States Conference on the Teaching of Languages (CSC), the National Council for Languages and International Studies (NCLIS), the Joint National Committee for Languages (JNCL), the American and Nebraska Association of Teachers of German (AATG/NATG), the American and Nebraska Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF/NAATF), and the American and Nebraska Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP/NATSP). At the state level NILA cooperates with the Nebraska Department of Education with the assistance of its Director of World Languages Education.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Nebraska International Languages Association is the enrichment of education through professional advancement and promotion of the teaching of languages and English as a second language in the state of Nebraska. In addition, public advocacy, staff development, and communication are integral and continuing objectives of the organization.
The executive council includes the president, president-elect, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, past-president and ex-officio members, including the advocacy committee chairperson, the conference chairpersons, representatives of the AATF, AATG, and AATSP, and those who represent administrative personnel from the state department of education.
The term of consecutive offices of vice-president, president-elect, president, and past-president shall be four years
The term of office of the secretary and the treasurer shall be three years. These officers may serve a limit of two consecutive terms.
MISSION STATEMENT
NILA promotes the teaching of international languages and prepares students to be world citizens.
MEMBERSHIP
Any person interested in the teaching or study of world languages and English as a second language in the state of Nebraska shall be eligible for membership.
PUBLICATIONS
The Visions 'N Views Newsletter serves to keep the members informed about travel, scholarships, educational opportunitites, and also gives detailed information about conferences and other activities. Visions 'N Views can be accessed online:
Nebraska World Languages Website: www.education.ne.gov/FORLG
Nebraska World Languages Listserve: www.education.ne.gov/FORLG/ListserveMain.html
AWARDS
The Outstanding World Languages Teacher Award recognizes outstanding contributors to world languages education in the state of Nebraska.
The Outstanding Leadership Award honors a world languages educator for lengthy and dedicated leadership in the world languages profession.
The New Educator Award is presented to a world languages professional in his/her first five years of teaching who shows potential for extraordinary development in implementation of strategies in the classroom.
The STAR Award pays tribute to teachers who exceed expectations both within and beyond the classroom. The four STAR areas; Study, Travel, Achievement, and Recognition of Professionalism represent continued professional development, efforts to learn outside the classroom, striving to excel, and showing leadership in organizations.
The Pro Lingua Award recognizes those friends outside the world languages teaching profession who have contributed time and effort in support of world language programs for Nebraska students.
NEBRASKA INTERNATIONAL CAMP
The Nebraska International Camp provides a global environment for young people learning world languages to build cultural understanding through interdisciplinary experiences. Students develop an understanding of peoples of the world by learning and living their cultures and customs, further their knowledge of art, music & history through activities, projects and participation in cultural events, and develop listening and speaking skills in French, German, or Spanish. The Camp is held every July for 10 to 16 year old students. For more information visit the NE World Languages Website or contact Kristin Longacre, Camp Director, 3329 Webster Street, Omaha, NE 68131, (402) 558-7357, or e-mail nebintcamp@cox.net.