September 23, 2016

TO:  Division Superintendents

FROM:  Steven R. Staples, Superintendent of Public Instruction

SUBJECT: Supporting Foreign Language Learning for Students with Disabilities

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is pleased to announce the Foreign Language for All: Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners Institute to be held on October 20, 2016, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. as part of the Foreign Language Teachers Workshop Series (FLTWS) in collaboration with the Foreign Language Association of Virginia (FLAVA) and Washington and Lee University.

This professional development opportunity is provided by the state to assist world language and special education teachers in supporting foreign language learning for students with disabilities.  A supporting guidance document will also be available from the VDOE to provide additional information and assistance on this topic.

The workshop will originate at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, and will be broadcasted live via the Internet to host sites across the state.  School divisions are encouraged to set up one or more host site locations for local world language and special education teachers to meet and participate in the workshop. 

Each host site will require a host site contact person to serve as a logistical coordinator and to facilitate local group discussions initiated by the workshop leaders at the broadcast location.  These workshops are free of charge, open to FLAVA members and nonmembers. Registration for the workshops will begin October 1.  Participants will receive certificates which may be used for receiving points toward K-12 teacher certification renewal at the discretion of the local school division.

For school divisions not yet registered as a FLTWS host site:

• Select one or more host site locations and a site facilitator for each location.  Each site will need Internet access, a projection system and viewing screen, and speakers or a sound system.  Each site should be large enough to allow for small group discussion among the expected number of participants.
• Email profdev@flavaweb.org to register one or more host sites.  Provide details of each host site location you wish to set up, including site name, address, and the name and contact information of the facilitator for each site.  This should be done as soon as possible to ensure your sites will be listed on the teacher registration page.  Host sites will be added to the registration page on a rolling basis as the information is received.

For all school divisions:

• Encourage world language and special education teachers to sign up to participate at your identified host site locations.
• Registration for participants begins on October 1, 2016, at http://flavaweb.org/workshops/.

Questions regarding FLTWS host site and teacher registration should be directed to Bettina Staudt, FLAVA Professional Development Chair, by email at profdev@flavaweb.org.

Questions regarding the Foreign Language for All: Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners Institute should be directed to Dr. Lisa A. Harris, Specialist for Foreign Languages and International Education, Office of Humanities and Early Childhood, by email at Lisa.Harris@doe.virginia.gov or by telephone at (804) 225-3666; or Dr. Teresa S. Lee, Education Specialist, Office of Special Education Instructional Services, by email at Teresa.Lee@doe.virginia.gov or by telephone at (804) 371-8283.

SRS/LAH/TSL/vdg