This workshop session will present the Bilingual Village, a physical and virtual network of schools and community partners that enables second language learners to practice speaking their new language. In the Bilingual Village, public businesses, organizations, agencies, individuals, and institutions welcome and celebrate second language learners, offering them an authentic, encouraging space to practice their new language in the real world. Funding for the inception of the Bilingual Village was provided by the US Department of Education’s (USDOE) Office of English Language Acquisition to further school, family, and community engagement in multilingual students’ education, and now the Bilingual Village has transitioned to a non-profit organization.

The author will share how the Bilingual Village was developed and will lead participants in whole and small group discussions about how they can connect with the multilingual and multicultural assets in their communities to create their own local Bilingual Villages. Free online resources, such as logo graphics, implementation guides, classroom preparation materials, informational flyers, and more, will be shared, and opportunities to network with Bilingual Village participants in different communities will be provided. This workshop will also give the first public preview of the free Bilingual Village app that is currently in development.

Authors:
Joyce Nutta, University of Central Florida, United States

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Joyce Nutta is Professor of World Languages, English for Speakers of Other Languages, and Dual Language Education at the University of Central Florida. Her research focuses on second-language instructional practices in multiple contexts.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Thursday Schedule

Bookmark