The ACTFL & Language Connects Foundation Awards Program recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of language education.
The nomination period opens annually in the spring, and awardees are announced during a ceremony at the ACTFL Convention & World Language Expo held in November, as well as featured in the Winter issue of The Language Educator magazine.
We invite you to share this information with your network to help us celebrate the many excellent language educators and programs helping to shape tomorrow's global leaders!
Explore the ACTFL & LCF Awards Program
Learn more about each of the awards categories and make a nomination—including self-nominations!—to recognize an outstanding educator or program.
Leo Benardo Award for Innovation in K-12 Language Education
This award is established in Leo Benardo’s honor to celebrate an educator whose work reflects innovative instructional practice supporting programs with of a majority of underserved students in a variety of educational settings.
NFMLTA/MLJ Emma Marie Birkmaier Award for Doctoral Dissertation Research in World Language Education
Named in honor of ACTFL's first president, this award recognizes an author of recent doctoral dissertation research in world language education that has contributed significantly to the advancement of the profession.
Nelson Brooks Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Culture
This award honors a language educator who has made significant impact through the teaching of culture in the world language classroom and beyond.
Edwin Cudecki Award for Support for Language Education
This award recognizes individuals who have developed ties between international business, language education, and international studies. It honors distinguished policymakers, public servants, business leaders, and other education advocates. This award is granted by the ACTFL Board of Directors.
Award for Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Classroom
This award recognizes language educators at all levels who have intentionally and effectively created accessible spaces of belonging for their learners and incorporated diverse, equitable and inclusive principles into their classroom curriculum and projects, and in doing so have enabled all students, including those with special needs, to develop linguistic and cultural competence.
Klett Award for Sustainable Development Education in the World Language Classroom
This award recognizes language educators & programs who effectively incorporate the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into their classroom curriculum and projects, and in doing so promote global awareness and social responsibility.
NYSAFLT Anthony Papalia Award for Excellence in Teacher Education
This award honors a world language educator who has demonstrated excellence in the preparation and continuing education of teachers for the profession, as exemplified across the following areas: teaching, research, service, educating current and future professionals, and recognition.
NFMLTA/MLJ Paul Pimsleur Award for Research in World Language Education
This award recognizes the author (or authors) of an outstanding contribution to research in world language or second language education published in a North American scholarly journal during the previous calendar year.
Wilga Rivers Award for Leadership in World Language Education (Postsecondary)
This award celebrates an educator who was demonstrated instructional leadership and service in the postsecondary community. Evidence should include: service to the school, community, and state, as well as to state, regional, and national professional organizations.
Florence Steiner Award for Leadership in World Language Education (K-12)
This award celebrates an educator who was demonstrated instructional leadership and service in the K-12 community. Evidence should include: service to the school, community, and state, as well as to state, regional, and national professional organizations.
Award for Excellence in World Language Instruction Using Technology
This award is presented annually to recognize excellence in the innovative integration and use of technology in world language instruction at the K-12 and post-secondary levels.
Melba D. Woodruff Award for Exemplary Elementary World Language Program
This award celebrates an exemplary K-6 world language program that has been in place for at least five years. All types of elementary world language programs, including but not limited to FLES and immersion, are invited to apply.