ACTFL Position Statements

ACTFL's official stance on important issues in language education

Position Statement
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The ACTFL Board of Directors periodically releases position statements that clarify and outline ACTFL's official stance on important issues in language education.

Position Statement
Class Size as a Factor Influencing Language Learning - May 22, 2021 - Read the full statement

It is evident that class size impacts a multitude of factors related to teacher efficacy and student success across all disciplines, including K-20 World Language education.

Position Statement
Remote Assessment for World Language Teaching and Learning - May 6, 2021 - Read the full statement

The COVID-19 pandemic has drawn attention to many ongoing inequities in education and has raised various challenges for assessing student progress in remote, in-person, and hybrid learning environments.

Position Statement
Diversity and Inclusion In World Language Teaching & Learning - May 16, 2019 - Read the full statement

ACTFL values diversity and strives for inclusion across world language teaching and learning contexts. It is committed to continuous reflection and evaluation of its specific practices and initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion.

Position Statement
The Role of Technology in Language Learning - May 19, 2017 - Read the full statement

ACTFL strongly recommends that a language educator be responsible for the planning, instruction, assessment, and facilitation of any language course, leveraging technology to support language learning.

Position Statement
Supporting the Study of World Languages and Computer Science - January 26, 2017 - Read the full statement

ACTFL advocates the study of both world languages and computer science. Both are essential skills in a world that is connected across borders and through technology.

Position Statement
What is a World Language - January 25, 2017 - Read the full statement

A world language is a form of communication, essential to the culture of a community, with a system of sounds, letters, symbols, and/or signs recognized and utilized by humans.

Position Statement
The Role of Language Learning in Valuing Diversity and Promoting Unity - November 21, 2016 - Read the full statement

Recognizing the current contentious climate in the U.S., the ACTFL believes it is uniquely positioned to help bridge the ideological gaps that divide our nation.

Position Statement
Demonstrating Educator Effectiveness and Documenting Student Growth Position Statement - November 21, 2015 - Read the full statement

The educator is the catalyst for developing learners’ language proficiency and global competence so that learners are prepared to interact and communicate successfully in the global community.

Position Statement
Global Competence Position Statement - August 23, 2014 - Read the full statement

The ability to communicate with respect and cultural understanding in more than one language is an essential element of global competence.*

Position Statement
Languages as a Core Component of Education for All Students - May 19, 2013 - Read the full statement

The ACTFL Board’s Executive Committee with leadership of the National Association of District Supervisors of Foreign Languages (NADSFL) and the National Council of State Supervisors for Languages (NCSSFL) framed the elements of a position statement to describe how four major initiatives in education in the U.S. today connect with language learning.

Position Statement
Coauthorship - July 29, 2012 - Read the full statement

  1. ACTFL supports collaborative research and publication because studies that are conducted across levels, languages and disciplines contribute to the development of theory and practice in Foreign Language Education.
  2. Jointly authored publications should be valued in decisions measuring scholarly production such as merit, tenure and promotion.

Position Statement
Teacher Recruitment and Retention - July 29, 2012 - Read the full statement

Recent studies indicate a current and prospective shortage of language teachers.

Position Statement
ACTFL Statement: General Principles of Language Learning - July 29, 2012 - Read the full statement

As part of its mission and vision, the ACTFL provides guidance to the profession and to the general public regarding issues, policies, and best practices related to the teaching and learning of languages and cultures.

Position Statement
Early Language Learning - July 29, 2012 - Read the full statement

Since research shows that an early language learning experience generally results in the development of native or near-native pronunciation and intonation, ACTFL recommends that students be provided the opportunity to learn a second language as early as possible in school.

Position Statement
Diversity and Inclusion in Language Programs - July 29, 2012 - Read the full statement

ACTFL and its members are committed to developing and maintaining a teaching and learning environment that reflects the broad diversity of American society.

Position Statement
Which Languages Schools Should Offer - July 29, 2012 - Read the full statement

ACTFL believes that the opportunity to learn any second language is more important than the specific language that is learned since research shows that generally learning a third or fourth language is facilitated after learning a second.

Position Statement
Use of the Target Language in the Classroom - May 21, 2010 - Read the full statement

Research indicates that effective language instruction must provide significant levels of meaningful communication* and interactive feedback in the target language in order for students to develop language and cultural proficiency.

Position Statement
ACTFL Statement: Language Learning for Heritage and Native Speakers - May 21, 2010 - Read the full statement

ACTFL and its members encourage learning environments that support heritage and native speakers of languages other than English. It is critical that these students be able to continue to develop their heritage linguistic and cultural skills in order to become fully bilingual and biliterate in today’s global environment.