MFLA VIRTUAL FALL CONFERENCE 2021

Roadmap to Biliteracy: Celebrating Multiple Pathways

DEADLINE JUNE 30, 2021
​MFLA is excited to announce our Fall Conference which will take place entirely online on Saturday, October 16, 2021. The conference theme, Roadmap to Biliteracy: Celebrating Multiple Pathways, was inspired by the past year of disrupted and reimagined World Languages education. While our learners’ goals and our outcomes as educators remained intact, the paths and tools we have used to chart the course have necessarily evolved. Biliteracy, which as a destination includes the four skills and a cultural context, can be reached via  multiple pathways. We seek a variety of presentation topics and types that show a diversity of topics and approaches. We also hope you will consider sharing your knowledge and practices in either a traditional presentation format or one of the other presentation types described below.

Suggested Session Topics

  • Maryland Seal of Biliteracy
  • Benefits of bilingualism & biliteracy
  • Core Practices for World Language Learning
  • High-leverage teaching practices
  • ACTFL Proficiency Levels
  • Proficiency testing
  • Comprehensible Input
  • Curricular overhaul
  • Articulation
  • Outcomes & rubric development
  • Literacy & biliteracy: supporting all learners
  • Differentiation & scaffolding
  • Translanguaging
  • Multicompetence
  • One-Way & Two-Way Immersion
  • Cross-linguistic connections, contrastive analysis & morphology
  • Oracy
  • Connection between oracy & writing
  • Language learning in early childhood classrooms
  • How to bridge between English & the second language, strengthening connections between the languages
  • Identifying what is transferable between languages
  • Three Pillars of Dual Language
  • Research on language learning & teaching in Dual Language World Languages
  • Community-based heritage language schools 
  • Parent outreach & advocacy

Additional Topics of Interest

  • Advocacy
  • Social justice
  • LGBTQ+ & gendered/non-gendered language education
  • Support for new teachers
  • Virtual teaching & learning
  • Preparing our learners for careers & the workplace
  • Project-based learning
  • Merging in-person & online learning post-pandemic
  • ​What is the future for WL?
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) & ​Augmented Reality (AR)
  • Professional learning & related efforts such as LILL, certifications, offerings by National Language Resource Centers
  • How to write a proposal to present at a conference
  • Resources: books, games, songs, websites
  • Dissertations and/or other research topics
  • Other andragogical & pedagogical topics
  • Other topics not listed here​

We welcome proposals for any of the following presentation types.

Presentation - A presentation is a traditional 60-minute conference session addressing one of a wide range of topics related to language teaching and learning. Typically, this consists of 45 minutes of interactive discussion led by the presenter(s), followed by up to 15 minutes of moderated, participant-driven questions and answers. Proposals should address methods and strategies that are used in PreK-16+ settings, or other topics appropriate for an in-depth focus.  [This can be pre-recorded or live.]
Digital Poster - A digital poster session is the presentation of research or practice-based information in the form of a digital poster that conference participants may view. Just like a printed poster, a digital poster is a visual aid to help the presenter share technical work at a poster session. A digital poster allows for the inclusion of dynamic content such as embedded multimedia files (GIF files, videos with audio, etc.) and transitions. Poster sessions are typically 10-20 minutes in duration including audience questions and answers.  [This can be pre-recorded or live, with live preferred.] 
Panel Discussion -  A panel discussion is a formal discussion before an audience for which the topic, speakers, and moderator have been selected in advance. When proposing a panel discussion for the MFLA Fall Conference, a potential moderator should include the topic for the discussion, a draft list of potential discussion topics germane to the discussion, and a list of the panelists who they may be able to call upon to serve on the panel. The panelist who is submitting the proposal can serve as the moderator, or MFLA can provide one if the panel is accepted. Like a traditional presentation format, a panel discussion is 45 minutes with 15 minutes for questions and answers from the audience at the end. [This can be pre-recorded or live, with live preferred.] 
Roundtable -  A roundtable session is divided into two or three 15–20-minute times slots. During the first time slot, one roundtable presenter delivers a presentation to the session attendees and engages them in interactive discussion about the material. During the subsequent time slots, new roundtable presenters deliver presentations to the session attendees and engage them in interactive discussions about the material. A general Q&A period for all presenters and attendees follows. [This can be live only.]

Proposals must be submitted by June 30, 2021.

All presenters are required to register for the Conference.
Information on registration will follow.
Please contact us with any questions at communications@mflamd.org
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