Indiana Foreign Language Teachers Association

"This was my first IFLTA conference. As a senior in German Language Education at Purdue University, I was thoroughly impressed with the amount of support and encouragement I received to continue in my world language educator journey. From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed by a community of educators who were genuinely invested in one another’s professional growth. It was especially meaningful to attend a conference where many participants shared similar passions and challenges, particularly within the niche field of world language education. Coming together with educators from across the state reinforced the idea that I am not alone in this work and that there is a strong, collaborative network supporting language teachers in Indiana. Attending the conference reassured me that there are many individuals actively advocating to keep world languages an important and valued part of the curriculum in Indiana schools, something I often worry about as I begin my job search in the spring. Hearing experienced teachers, administrators, and advocates speak about the importance of language learning helped validate my own goals and commitment to becoming a German teacher. It also gave me hope for the future of world language programs, especially during a time when these programs can sometimes feel vulnerable or overlooked. ...I look forward to continuing to be involved with IFLTA as I continue my journey as a world language educator. "

"This conference opened my eyes to different teaching methods, fun ways to incorporate activities into the classroom, and introduced me to mentors. One of my favorite things was being able to choose which lecture I wanted to attend. There was a wide array of different topics, and they offered something for every language. I enjoyed getting to meet new teachers and some that have been teaching world languages for years. I learned that we as educators always need to be aware of the changes that our government makes in the education system, how we can spread awareness, and encourage others to learn languages. It was fun to be around people who had similar interests, enjoyed speaking in Spanish, and showing me interesting tricks that have worked with their students. I will continue to attend this conference, and hopefully be a part of the IFLTA board someday!"