Language Connects Foundation (LCF) and Vista Higher Learning are thrilled to announce the launch of the year 2 of the LCF/Vista Microgrants Program, dedicated to supporting and empowering language educators committed to fostering multilingualism and cultural diversity in K-12 classrooms. This pioneering initiative provides small grants to educators who are passionate about teaching languages and integrating essential cultural elements into their curriculum. During the 2023-2024 academic year, over 100 microgrants were awarded to deserving K-12 language and literacy educators, representing 13 languages and 34 states.

Open to all K-12 language educators, regardless of their teaching setting, this program offers 100 microgrants of $300 each to fund a range of impactful projects between September 2024 and May 2025.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, allowing unsuccessful applicants from one cycle to reapply later in the school year. Applications are currently being accepted for the next funding cycle, which closes on April 30th, 2024, and awards will be announced on Monday, May 10th.

Apply here: https://www.languageconnectsfoundation.org/programs-initiatives/scholarships-awards/lcf-vista-classroom-microgrants-for-language-educators

The Human Migration Institute (HMI), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Riverside, CA, is dedicated to fostering inclusive communities and providing vital support to global and local refugee populations. HMI is actively seeking volunteers to help advance its mission.

There is a particular need for English as a Second Language (ESL) instructors. Additionally, retired foreign language teachers are warmly invited to contribute a few hours per week. Volunteers with Spanish language skills would be especially valuable in engaging with the communities HMI serves. HMI is also exploring partnerships with local institutions like Cal State San Bernardino, particularly within the College of Education. Senior students seeking work experience in ESL instruction are encouraged to consider volunteering.

At HMI, we work to empower refugees as they rebuild their lives, addressing the challenges they face with targeted programs such as:

Resettlement Support: Partnering with federal agencies, we assist newcomers by securing housing and providing essential support upon arrival.

Career Development & Training: Our Career Navigators help newcomers achieve their career goals through training, mentorship, and certificate programs, paving the way to self-sufficiency.

ESL Classes with Support: We offer comprehensive English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, complete with transportation and childcare, to enhance language proficiency and unlock new opportunities.

Riverside County Refugee Forum (RCRF): As proud hosts of the RCRF, we provide a vital platform for dialogue, collaboration, and advocacy to support our refugee community.

We believe that through collaboration, we can create a world where refugees not only find safety but also thrive with dignity and opportunity.

Your support—whether through partnerships, advocacy, volunteering, or financial contributions—can make a significant difference. We’d love the opportunity to explore how we can work together to empower refugees and strengthen our community.

For more information, please visit our website at HMIR.org or follow us on social media @humanmigrationinstitute. Feel free to reach out to us at volunteer@hmir.org or info@hmir.org to discuss opportunities or ask any questions.

Thank you for considering this invitation. We look forward to the possibility of partnering with you to make a lasting impact.

Flangoo is a subscription-based service for digital World Language readers available in Spanish, French, and German!! A sister company of Teacher’s Discovery®, Flangoo creates an affordable solution for World Language teachers who want to offer students a wide range of readers. One Flangoo account gives you and up to 150 students access to an entire virtual Free Voluntary Reading (FVR) library. Try it out! 

How about some quick, fun activities to do with your students in the target language! Let’s start with...

Who's telling the truth?

Have them fill out a survey telling something strange they did as a child. Choose several of those answers and display them on your board or presentation.

This can be played online. Call on 4 people in the class, including the person who wrote the sentence, to read the sentence as if they wrote it.

You ask each person two questions, and they answer, acting as if they wrote it. Then the students type in the chat who they think is telling the truth, but the students wait to send until you say, "Send".

After they send, you ask each actor if they wrote the sentence to reveal the truth-teller. The actor with the most votes gets extra credit. The students who got it right get extra credit.

This is a great game to play with your upper levels, especially now with the fun Among Us game, students have to try to figure out who the imposter is! Here’s an example:

Example: When I was little, I used to hide in the kitchen cupboards.
Questions: Why did you hide in the cupboards? (asked to all actors)
or How old were you when you hid in the cupboards? (asked to all actors)

Who knows you best?

Choose a volunteer and have them select a question to answer (#1-12).

The teacher asks the question, then all of the other students guess what the interviewee's answer is.

They type it in the chat but don't send it. When the teacher says "send", they send it.

The teacher then asks the interviewee to send their answer. Everyone who gets it right gets a point.

Here are some sample questions. You can adapt them to any level, any unit:

• What are you afraid of?

• Where do you like to go on vacation?

• What is it that makes you angry?

• What are you laughing at?

• Do you prefer to cycle, ride a horse, or drive?

• What do you prefer: doing the dishes, mowing the lawn, cleaning the bathroom, or vacuuming?

• At night, do you prefer to play a game, visit a relative, watch a movie, or read?

• Who would you like to be lost with on a desert island?

• Approximately how many pairs of shoes do you have?

• Which public transport do you prefer (plane, boat, train, bus, metro, etc.)?

• What is your favorite zoo animal?

• What is your favorite holiday: Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year's Eve, Valentine's Day, Halloween, Easter, July 4th

Scavenger Hunt:

If you're online, ask students to find something that makes people happy/sad/frustrated etc and show it to the camera. Ask students to find something hard/soft/wet/round/square etc and show it to the camera. Great for all levels and another great way to start some fun, personalized discussions!