Advocacy is an important part of world language leadership. We must tell our stories and share the importance of our programs. If we don't, who will? 

During the Virginia General Assembly, you can find fellow VOWLS members contacting lawmakers via email, phone, and personal visits. VOWLS has partnered with lawmakers outside of session to create legislation that supports language students, like making the Seal of Biliteracy an industry credential. 

How would you like to get more involved in advocacy?

• Perhaps you live in central Virginia and are able to attend committee meetings where you can speak about the importance of language education as it relates to current bills. 

• Would you like to make a more personal connection? You could be part of a team to visit lawmakers during advocacy days. 

• Maybe you work better behind the scenes, tracking bills and reminding others of when committees meet and what the outcomes are. 

• You may feel more comfortable reaching out to senators and delegates via email or phone about issues that matter to language educators and students and sharing with your teachers to get them involved as well.  

Whatever your comfort level or calling, VOWLS is happy for you to join us in our efforts. We can help you get started and be by your side if this is new to you. If you're an advocacy pro, we'd love to learn from you. 

You can always keep up with language advocacy issues and news via the FLAVA Advocacy page, maintained by the courageous and determined Sharon Scinicariello. We thank her for all of her hard work and dedication!

VOWLS Legislative Agenda 24-25

Elevate the role of multilingualism in college and career readiness.

• Develop CTE pathways that include credentials and careers in languages.

Language-related careers are in high demand around the state and the nation, and our Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs should include preparation for 

these kinds of careers. Currently, no state-approved industry credentials address skills in translation and interpretation. 

• Enhance the world language graduation requirement.

Currently, 3 credits of world language are required for an advanced diploma, but no world language credits are required for a standard diploma.

• Promote the Seal of Biliteracy.

Students can earn the Seal of Biliteracy for demonstrating Intermediate Mid proficiency (or higher) in English and at least one other language. This diploma seal should become more widely recognized by employers and higher education institutions in Virginia.

Ensure high-quality language education for all Virginia students.

• Expand availability of upper level language courses and heritage language programs across the state.

Many school divisions are only able to offer three levels of language education to students, leading to limited proficiency outcomes. Additionally, many students who come to school with a heritage language other than English have limited options to develop their language skills to a higher level.

• Support pathways to language teaching licensure.

World language teachers remain on the critical shortage list for Virginia, as they have been for many years. We need to bring more teachers into the pipeline through creative and flexible career switcher programs, and through supporting traditional teacher education programs in world language education.

• Commit to developing the skills and proficiency of language educators.

Because so many world language teachers are career switchers and/or are non-native 

speakers of the languages they teach, teachers would benefit from state-funded ongoing 

professional development in proficiency-based instruction as well as continuing language growth opportunities for teachers such as immersion weekends.

• Grow the availability of “critical need” language programs such as Arabic, Chinese, Korean, and Russian.

National security and economic development needs have led to an increased demand for languages that are less commonly taught in K-12 education. Schools need help to start or sustain programs in critical need languages through funding for staffing as well as curricular resources and professional development.

• Expand the successful and popular Dual Language/Immersion Education model.

Early opportunities for language learning that span elementary, middle, and high school through integrating language learning with academic content have proven to be successful and popular with families. More Virginia students should have access to this language model that supports both English learners and students learning other languages.