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 re-established position at OSPI--Supervisor for World Languages--has now been filled. Congratulations to World Languages Supervisor Michele Anciaux Aoki! WAFLT looks forward to working with Michele to help benefit all language teachers and students in Washington State!

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 COFLT¹s host year and the conference planning for the bistate conference is already underway. COFLT¹s chair is Larry Crain and WAFLT¹s chair is Jenny Ferries. The keynote speaker for Friday will be Peggy Boyles; Saturday¹s keynote speaker will be Deborah Blaz. The conference presents sessions that are offered by volunteers from the two state organizations. Questions? Contact WA Conference Chair Jenny Ferries at ferriesj@bsd405.org. The registration information packet should arrive to all WAFLT members around Labor Day. If you are not a member, or would like to read all about it sooner, click WebReg08.pdf to download it now!

The conference will be held at the brand new Hilton Hotel and Convention Center in Vancouver, Washington, October 10-11. The Hilton Hotel is a ³green² hotel, with a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certificate. The entire building, including the guest rooms, and breakout rooms, effectively uses natural lighting, creating a relaxing and peaceful ambiance, while utilizing a complete energy management system perfect for the conference.

The conference rate for hotel reservations is $114 for a single/double room, and reservations can be made on-line with the hotel throughWAFLT's group page. Please remember that this price is a reduced rate for the conference. The number of breakout rooms the hotel provides for sessions is based on the number of rooms sold at the conference rate and the contracted food and beverages sold. Reservations must be made prior to September 14 in order to qualify for this special rate, or until the group block is sold out. Also, parking at the hotel will cost $12.00 per day, and is not included in the hotel rate or registration. Therefore, carpooling with colleagues will not only save on greenhouse emissions, but will also help with parking costs! There is an additional parking garage diagonal from the hotel--rates could not be confirmed for us yet, but that is another option.

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. 2008 award recipients will be announced soon and honored at the Friday Awards Luncheon at the COFLT-WAFLT Conference in Vancouver, WA this fall. For more information, see the descriptions and instructions in Grants/Awards.

WAFLT Office: (360) 709-0202 (voice and FAX)

Last updated: August 25, 2008