A coalition of more than 50 language organizations recently sent a letter to President Obama outlining language priorities for the FY14 budget. The letter urges the President "to address the need for all American students, from primary through graduate school, to gain proficiency in a second language and prioritize the following programs in your Fiscal Year 2014 budget." It also makes specific funding requests for program like Language Flagships, STARTALK, and Title VI.

The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) announces the release of the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines 2012 for Speaking, Writing, Listening, and Reading.

The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) announced today a process to revisit the National Standards for Foreign Language Learning to make explicit the link of the standards for learning languages with the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics and the Partnership for 21st Century Skills. ACTFL is working with the Standards Collaborative Board, which led the initial creation of national standards for learning languages, the National Association of District Supervisors of Foreign Languages (NADSFL), and the National Council of State Supervisors for Languages (NCSSFL) to revise the standards and embed them in the teaching of languages at all levels.  The National Standards redefined language learning around five goal areas that emphasize acquiring proficiency through real world use of another language: Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities.

ACTFL Executive Director Bret Lovejoy announced his departure from the organization during a recent Board meeting. "After 8 years guiding ACTFL through a period of membership growth and financial achievement, I am ready to move on to new challenges," said Lovejoy. ACTFL President Barbara Mondloch added, "We are grateful to Bret for his service and contributions to ACTFL during this period." The Board has initiated a search for Mr. Lovejoy's successor and hopes to have a new Executive Director in place before the end of the year.