Global Competence Certificate for Heritage Language Speakers

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Migrant/Bilingual Department has awarded a first-time Heritage Language Program Grant to Wenatchee Public Schools in Wenatchee, WA, to offer a year-long remote-learning program for Heritage Language speakers of Romanian, Russian, and Spanish. The project will support the students to develop their language proficiency and literacy in their Heritage Language while also preparing a portfolio for the Global Competence Certificate in the Heritage Language (and English too, if they like) through the World Affairs Council in Seattle. Upon completion of the program, students will also have the opportunity to complete World Language Competency-Based Credit testing to earn high school credits in their language and potentially qualify for the Washington State Seal of Biliteracy. They may also qualify for the Global Seal of Biliteracy https://theglobalseal.com/.

The project-based curriculum will integrate content and functional language (such as writing or presenting summaries, narratives, descriptions, etc.) through synchronous interactive classes through Zoom and with online videos. Engaging, culturally and developmentally appropriate activities will be offered in a flexible way so that students’ learning experiences are personalized to their needs and interests. Over the year, the students would be developing evidence (in the Heritage Language) for their Global Competence Certificate in the areas of Global Learning, International Engagement, and Language and Intercultural Learning. Resources from this program will be open to teachers, schools, students, and families throughout the state and adaptable to other languages and cultures.

Wenatchee Public Schools will be partnering with a number of community-based organizations, including the American Romanian Cultural Society, Ethnic Heritage Council, Slavic East European Teachers Association of Washington, Washington Association for Language Teaching, Washington State Coalition for International Education, and the World Affairs Council Global Classroom.

The program will be open to Heritage Language speakers of Romanian, Russian, or Spanish in Wenatchee Public Schools and other public high schools throughout the state.

Please complete this contact form in order to receive email announcements about a new program for high school Heritage Speakers of Romanian, Russian, or Spanish. Students, parents, teachers, counselors, and other interested community members are welcome to sign up for our email announcements. Register for our information sessions today! Please reach out to rhauck@world-affairs.org with any questions or concerns!