World Language
Resources Available for World Language Learning During the COVID-19 Crisis

Nebraska Department of Education World Language Program List of Resources
Provides list of online courses, reference materials, tutorials, and authentic resources. List is ongoing and suggestions are welcome. Materials referenced must be completely subscription free, open educational resources.
ACTFL Resource Response to COVID-19 Crisis
ACTFL offers a free one-year membership and access to their materials which include professional development online learning modules, professional library of journals, an online community, and access to AAPPL Communication Builder. AAPPL CB is an online workspace in which teachers can assign tasks in all three modes of communication.
NCSSFL Resource Response to COVID-19 Crisis
NCSSFL leadership has gathered an extensive collection of resources regarding COVID-19, instructional methodology, authentic resources, technology resources for teaching online, and dual language learning online.
CARLA Resources to Support Language Teaching Online
CARLA offers a list of webinars, online resources, social media conversations, newsletters and blogs.
In This Edition
- A Crisis Response
- Creating a Timeline to Standards Implementation
- Workshop Portals Offer Easy Standards Guides
- Meet Your NILA Board: Secretary Jonathan Dettman
- COVID-19 and The Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy
- Call for Proposals NILA 2020: Conference Goes Virtual
- NATSP Announces Winning Posters
- Nebraska Chinese Scholars Recognized
- World Language Positions in Nebraska
Charlamos: A Crisis Response

Like many aspects of life, the World Language Review was put on hold last month as we all struggled to respond to the COVID-19 Crisis. Working with teachers across the state, I am able to see a wide variety of responses to our new world of online teaching. Eventually we will move beyond this crisis. When we do, there will be some important lessons to keep in mind. Having an online presence is no longer an option in education. While most teachers, especially world language teachers, work with technology in teaching, many of us are not comfortable with online communication software, online course content software, and online grading practices. I encourage you to look for resources to support these areas. Some helpful organizations include NETA, Google for Education, and ISTE. While there may still be some things to learn, overall educators throughout the state have responded admirably to this crisis by maintaining a sense of norm and a connection for all of their students.
Stephanie Call, World Languages Specialist ♦ 402-471-4331 ♦ stephanie.call@nebraska.gov
Stephanie Call, World Language Specialist ♦ 402-471-4331 ♦ stephanie.call@nebraska.gov
Creating a Timeline to Standards Implementation
The Nebraska World Language Standards were approved by the Nebraska State Board of Education in September 2019. Educators around Nebraska have been working through the implementation process. Supporting resources and materials are found at the NDE WL Standards website.
Workshop Portals Offer Easy Standards Guides
Two workshop portals provide resources to work through exploration and to begin initial implementation. Learn about the standards at “Quick Guide to Nebraska’s World Language Standards” and “Program Building with Nebraska’s World Language Standards”. Online workshops can be scheduled for ESU’s or districts. Contact stephanie.call@nebraska.gov to request a workshop.
Meet Your NILA Board: Secretary Jonathan Dettman
Dr. Jonathan Dettman Associate Professor, Chair of Modern Languages University of Nebraska Kearney dettmanjc@unk.edu Jonathan speaks…Spanish, Portuguese, and English. How do you maintain your proficiency in the language? Daily communication and professional activity, mainly teaching and writing. What would you recommend to educators to build their pedagogy and practice? Get involved with causes and professional networks beyond your classroom and school.
COVID-19 and The Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy
Submissions for The Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy will continue. Students may still follow the online process. Applications received by April 15 have been reviewed and awards will be made by the end of May. Processing time is seriously delayed due to the restrictions in place from COVID-19. Applications can still be made. Those applications will be held until September for review and awarding. It is possible for students to receive The Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy after graduation. Students who wish to apply for the Seal will apply through the online application. The application process has no fee and can be...Read More › - COVID-19 and The Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy
Call for Proposals NILA 2020: Conference Goes Virtual
The Nebraska International Languages Association invites proposals for the 2020 Fall Conference. Proposals should be appropriate for 50-minute sessions on a variety of topics and are due by Monday June 1, 2020. The theme of this year's conference is: Believe Achieve: Biliteracy in Nebraska...Honestly, it IS for everyone. The NILA Fall Conference will take place on Saturday, October 3, 2020. This year’s conference will be delivered via a virtual platform (Zoom). All presenters must still register for the NILA conference: this form does not serve as a formal registration. Please visit the link for the Proposal Form. https://forms.gle/VxdxSh7GRi5s1HL57
NATSP Announces Winning Posters
Nebraska Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (NATSP) entered two students into the AATSP Annual Poster Contest in the "Hand-Drawn" category. Aiden Lewald of Milliard North High School and Cristian Ryan de Castro Cartel of Alfonza W. Davis Middle School were selected to represent Nebraska’s high school and middle schools respectively. Cristian's poster made it to the final judging and we are awaiting results. Winning entries will be revealed on the AATSP website. Congratulations to both of these very talented World Language artists. This year's theme was "Spanish and Portuguese for a Multi-Lingual, Multi-Cultural World" or Español y Portugués...Read More › - NATSP Announces Winning Posters
Nebraska Chinese Scholars Recognized
The University of Nebraska Lincoln Confucius Institute (UNL-CI) hosted its annual Speech Competition and Character Bee. The contest is open to non-heritage learners of Chinese in the state of Nebraska. Five school districts, ESU 5, and the University of Nebraska High School offer Chinese programming. As of 2018-2019, 797 Nebraska students were enrolled in Chinese programming 7-12. UNL-CI’s Speech Competition and Character Bee requires students to present prepared 3-5 minute speeches in Chinese and to respond in Chinese characters to questions posed in Chinese. This year’s winners are: The UNL Confucius Institute (Online) Chinese Speech Competition Level 1 First Place...Read More › - Nebraska Chinese Scholars Recognized
World Language Positions in Nebraska
The following teaching positions were posted as of May 12, 2020 on the Teach in Nebraska website. They are listed from most recent to oldest. World Language Teacher 9-12, Wilber-Clatonia Public School, Wilber Spanish Teacher, South Sioux City Community Schools, South Sioux City Spanish Teacher 9-12, Hastings High School, Hastings Spanish Teacher 6-8, Bluffs Middle School, Scottsbluff Spanish Teacher 7-12, Alma Public Schools, Alma French Teacher 9-12, Mount Michael Benedictine School, Elkhorn Spanish Teacher 9-12, Schuyler High School, Schuyler Spanish Teacher 9-12, Mount Michael Benedictine School, Elkhorn Spanish Teacher 7-12, Humphrey Public Schools, Humphrey
Events
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Go to the Museum Virtually
Anytime
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WEBINAR: Fostering Spanish Language and Literacy Development
CAL
May 19
2:00-3:30 PM CT
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WEBINAR: CAL SIOP for Dual Language Programs: A Focus on Scaffolding for Students Learning in Two Languages
CAL
May 26
2-3:30 PM CT
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WEBINAR: Are Discussion Forums Really Interactive?
Florencia Henshaw,
U of Illinois
IALLT
June 24
1 PM CT
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ONLINE MINI-COURSE: Get Your Students Speaking! Intentionally Raising Oral Proficiency in the Language Classroom
Nina Wilson,
UTeach
COERLL
June 24
9:45-3:00 CT
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ONLINE MINI-COURSE: Effective Methods to Advance Heritage Spanish Teaching
COERLL
June 25-26
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If you would like to share your event, please email stephanie.call@nebraska.gov with the information to add.