Language teachers can fund their professional development activities using grants.
Language teachers often seek additional financial support to administer international classroom trips, earn professional development credit or improve their language skills through practical travel experience. Unlike loans, grants obtained through the federal government and private foreign language instruction associations provide selected teachers these financial resources without the burden of repayment.
Foreign Language Assistance Program (FLAP)
The United States Department of Education and the National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition and Language Instruction Educational Programs provide competitive grants through the Foreign Language Assistance Program (FLAP). The FLAP program is the only government-funded program that provides grants exclusively to support the instruction of foreign languages, and the funding for these grants is provided by the No Child Left Behind Act.
Elementary and secondary teachers are eligible to apply on behalf of their school systems. Grants provide funding for a three-year period and may be used to create or expand existing language instruction programs. Preference is given to those teachers and school systems that plan to continue language instruction after the grant period ends.
American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL)
The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) partners with other educational organizations to offer several grants and scholarships to support foreign language learning. While most of these scholarships target foreign language students, Spanish language teachers can apply to join the Cemanahuac Educational Community for two weeks of study in Mexico. This Spanish language immersion program focuses upon preparing participants with knowledge of the culture of Mexico. Teachers interact with social workers, counselors and other teachers sharing an interest in developing Spanish language and cultural competencies. Participation in this program will earn professional development credits. These grants are limited to members of the ACTFL.
New York State Association of Foreign Language Teachers (NYSAFLT)
The New York State Association of Foreign Language Teachers (NYSAFLT) annually awards many different awards, scholarships and grants to foreign language teachers. NYSAFLT grant awards include the Annual Conference Scholarship, the Charles Zimmerman Memorial Grant, the Gertrude Rossin Cultural Grant/Teacher Incentive Grants, the Intercultural Student Experiences (ISE) Language Matters Award and the Mead Leadership Fellowship.
The NYSAFLT also awards travel grants to teachers wishing to improve their language skills through practical immersion within a foreign country. In 2010, these grants supported travel to Costa Rica, France, Italy, Mexico, South America and Spain. The extent of grant funding varies each year depending upon available resources. Grant recipients must be foreign language instructors employed in New York and members of the NYSAFLT.
Tags: foreign language, Language Teachers, professional development, Spanish language, American Council, American Council Teaching