The Language Conference
I just got back from a professional language conference. I recommend that any teacher or student looking to break into the foreign language teaching field make sure to visit a language conference in his or her area. Although the national conference I went to this year left much to be desired, they generally are helpful and here are the reasons why:
1. You make contacts. Everytime I go to one on the local or national level I always meet someone. In order to better prepare bring your business cards, even if you don't work for a school yet, you can print some cheap ones with your degrees and contact information.
2. You get to travel. Maybe this isn't the best reason, but you do get to see areas outside of your current city. Who knows, you may decide to move to a city you visited.
3. You hear about new and exiting research in foreign languages. Due to the dwendling natioal budget for education, foreign language teachers can feel alone. Since our subject is not "tested" on any state graduation test, NCLB gives principals and administrators the go ahead to chop our programs. However, at a language conference you meet likeminded individuals committed to the area of foreign languages and this can be rejuvinating.
4. You can boost your professional development by offering a workshop. Most serious practicioners have presented at a conference. It is a wonderful experience! This type of experience goes on your resume and also gives you a chance to share your research or experience with your peers.
5. You might get a job. Some conferences have a job boards or interviews (the MLA is known for this) for you to get hired. This is inticing especially in this current economy.
Not sure of where to go, check out the following organizations:
www.actfl.org American Council on the Teaching of Foriegn Languages
www.aatsp.org American Association of the Teaching of Spanish and Portuguese
www.clascholars.org College Language Association
www.mla.org Modern Language Association
http://www.councilnet.org/council/Members.html National Council of Less Commonly Taught Languages
1. You make contacts. Everytime I go to one on the local or national level I always meet someone. In order to better prepare bring your business cards, even if you don't work for a school yet, you can print some cheap ones with your degrees and contact information.
2. You get to travel. Maybe this isn't the best reason, but you do get to see areas outside of your current city. Who knows, you may decide to move to a city you visited.
3. You hear about new and exiting research in foreign languages. Due to the dwendling natioal budget for education, foreign language teachers can feel alone. Since our subject is not "tested" on any state graduation test, NCLB gives principals and administrators the go ahead to chop our programs. However, at a language conference you meet likeminded individuals committed to the area of foreign languages and this can be rejuvinating.
4. You can boost your professional development by offering a workshop. Most serious practicioners have presented at a conference. It is a wonderful experience! This type of experience goes on your resume and also gives you a chance to share your research or experience with your peers.
5. You might get a job. Some conferences have a job boards or interviews (the MLA is known for this) for you to get hired. This is inticing especially in this current economy.
Not sure of where to go, check out the following organizations:
www.actfl.org American Council on the Teaching of Foriegn Languages
www.aatsp.org American Association of the Teaching of Spanish and Portuguese
www.clascholars.org College Language Association
www.mla.org Modern Language Association
http://www.councilnet.org/council/Members.html National Council of Less Commonly Taught Languages
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