Who Are We?
Founded in 1964, the Washington Association for Language Teaching (WAFLT) serves a membership of 400 to 600 elementary through university level language teachers. WAFLT seeks to meet the needs of a profession dedicated to the teaching of world language skills and cultural awareness by providing information and sensitive global perspectives in an era of ever-increasing internationalization.
We are associated with the Pacific Northwest Council for Languages (PNCFL), the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) and the Joint National Council on Language/National Council for Languages (JNCL/NCLIS). These links with regional and national associations help keep our membership current with national standards.
Exciting news!! the newly re-established position at OSPI--Supervisor for World Languages! Thanks to the years-long efforts of many people, but primarily Rep. Shay Schual-Berke, Rep. Zack Hudgins, WAFLT member and retired Shoreline German teacher Karen Pauler, as well as the WAFLT Outreach Committee (Michele Anciaux Aoki, Sue Webber, Lynn Klausenburger, Katy Armagost and Lauren Kiolet), the position is funded and the application is now available on the OSPI website. This should be a great benefit to all language teachers and students in Washington State and it is past time that the position is re-established!
COFLT-WAFLT Bi-state Fall Conference, Cross-cultural Communication: Building a Better Future will take place October 10-11, 2008 in the beautiful, certified-green Vancouver Hilton Hotel and Convention Center. It is COFLTıs host year and the conference planning for the bistate conference is already underway. COFLTıs chair is Larry Crain and WAFLTıs chair is Jenny Ferries. The keynote speaker for Friday will be Peggy Boyles; Saturdayıs keynote speaker will be Deborah Blaz. The conference presents sessions that are offered by volunteers from the two state organizations. Please consider sharing with your colleagues! The online proposal submission form will be available soon!In the meantime, you are welcome to submit using the COFLT-WAFLT Proposal Submission Form linked here. E-mail to WA Conference Chair Jenny Ferries at ferriesj@bsd405.org.
Congratulations to the 2007 WAFLT Award Recipients: Public Awareness--Rachel Martin & Kathy Brainard, Creative Innovation--Krista Swenson, Continued Distinguished Service--Katy Armagost, Inspirational Leadership--Misa Bourdoiseau, WAFLT Teacher of the Year--Mary Jane Neill, Pro Lingua--Carol Froelich, ISE Language Matters--Susanne Kanning. They were honored at the Friday Awards Luncheon at the fall conference in Wenatchee. Nominations for next year's awards are due May 1, 2008. For more information, see the descriptions and instructions in Grants/Awards.
WAFLT Office: (360) 709-0202 (voice and FAX)
Mission Statement
The Mission of the Washington Association for Language Teaching is:
- To promote the teaching of world language skills and cultural awareness at all levels of instruction
- To provide opportunities for all teachers of world languages to grow professionally
- To recognize the contributions of outstanding members of the profession and the community
Last updated: May 13, 2008