DPI Updates and Resources

by Pamela Delfosse, DPI World Language & Global Education Consultant

As the end of the school year approaches, let’s reflect on what went well and what stretched us. Let’s think about where we want to reinvest our energy and where we will choose to let go. Letting go creates space for something new in our practice and keeps us engaged as lifelong learners within our profession.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is one area for new learning which is already impacting our field, and education as a whole. Our inquiry might lead us to examine the role of artificial intelligence in language learning environments and also, the role of language learning in a world supported by artificial intelligence. Let us explore and define what is unique to human language and intercultural communication that goes beyond the current capacity of generative AI systems. Let’s center those elements of intercultural communication such as empathy, perspective taking, collaoration, cooperative decision making, and conflict resolution within our world language programs. Let’s also identify ways to harness the assets of AI technologies for technical skill developent and assessment. AI, and its cousins and descendants, are here to stay Our relevance, and sustained presence, in the AI enabled educational landscape may depend on this new learning and related new tricks. Change can happen through us, or to us. I believe it is usually best if we lead from within.

The relevance of world language learning is not limited to the world of artificial intelligence. One central pillar for advocacy of world language programs has always been the promise of enhanced career opportunities for bilingual individuals. Evidence from employers and job reports support this claim. The Wisconsin Seal of Biliteracy serves as a student talent marker to colleges and employers. This precollege credential honors the linguistic and cultural assets of multilingual learners and adds value to sustained language learning within our schools. We have an opportunity to make clear connections between language learning and language use through careerconnected learning experiences in our programs. Let’s find ways to make language use within our communities and workplaces visible to learners There are so many ways to approach this work When planning units of study, consider how one or more careers intersect with the unit theme. Plan learning experiences that include those intersections and provide opportunities for career exploration and for direct observation of job-related language use. Global competence, including intercultural communication, was recently integrated within our state’s CareerReady Standards. World language educators are well-positioned to support this learning within our school communities. Day two of this year’s WAFLT Summer Institute will include time to explore and integrate career- connected learning within our programs.

Schooling during the global health pandemic expanded our toolbox and capacity for innovation through virtual teaching and learning. Now that virtual learning is no longer a necessity, it is time for us to revisit its incredible value to our discipline. Imagine new ways to leverage technologies for relationships across space and time for language, intercultural, and global learning. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is developing new partnerhips to support you with this work. We plan to renew our sister-state agreement for education with Hessen, Germany and Bordeaux, France. Focus areas for engagement will likely include professional learning communities, connected classrooms, project-based learning cohorts, and study tours. The goal is for these programs to support, but not be limited to, language learning environments. Planning, facilitating, and evaluating reciprocal international learning experiences is complex. Our state is fortunate to have the opportunity to build our collective capacity for this work in partnership with The Stevens Initiative. This partnership will provide training and sustained systems of support for global learning through virtual exchange. You are encouraged to identify potential collaborators to discuss how virtual exchange might support global learning across the curriculum within your school community. Stay tuned for updates on these exciting opportunities

Finally, a shout-out of gratitude for your professionalism and persistent commitment to helping young people find their voice and place in our interdependent world through language learning. Your work matters Your work has an impact you rarely get to see, as it plays out throughout the lives of your learners. Thank you for that gift to the world.

Pamela Delfosse pamela.delfosse@dpi.wi.gov