Together, we're helping to ensure a diverse, well-prepared, and highly effective language educator workforce today and for generations to come.
Greater Support for Language Educators
The incoming cohort of our Lead with Languages Teacher Scholarship Program grew by 100% in 2023, welcoming 20 new Scholars from 14 home states and aspiring to teach seven languages other than English.
The First Annual Scholars Night, held in October 2023, virtually convened participants with LCF staff and a panel of four recent ACTFL National Teacher of the Year finalists/recipients for an evening of inspiration and insights into passionate careers in language education.
With sponsor and volunteer support—including collaboration with the ACTFL DEI Committee—we announced two new categories for recognition:
LCF by the Numbers
Expanded Opportunities Across Our First Year
In scholarships to granted to future educators since 2019.
potential students inspired by the 47 current Teacher Scholars and 6 program graduates across the course of their teaching careers.
Growth in incoming class of Teacher Scholarship recipients in 2023.
In classroom microgrants in the first of three proposed funding cycles.
More ACTFL and LCF Professional Awardees (20) recognized for outstanding contributions to language education over the previous year.
Of classroom supplies provided from teachers' Amazon wish lists in #ClearTheLists campaign.
Broader Access to Language Learning
Introduced to help meet the classroom needs of K-12 language educators, the LCF/Vista Classroom Microgrants initiative garnered more than 400 applications during its initial grant cycle. The first grantees to receive $300 were announced with partner Vista Higher Learning at the 2023 ACTFL Convention. This group of grantees teach eight languages—including ESOL, Chinese, French, Lakota & Dakota, Latin, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Deeper Connections Across Communities and Cultures
The new Student Ambassadors Program convenes a dynamic international network of student language-learner leaders at the postsecondary level to help spread the LCF’s mission, provide valuable perspectives, and inspire other young people to celebrate their language accomplishments and dreams.
To further motivate and engage our communities, the LCF Blog regularly features the stories of multilingual professionals across sectors, educators, and students for whom language learning has made a significant impact. This year, profiles have explored the value of languages in localization, project management, supply chain management, education, and financial services.
LCF thanks early sponsors of LCF initiatives, as well as our individual donors, for their support of our shared vision.