Home / The KWL Award in Leadership and Program Innovation

The Klett World Languages Award in Leadership and Program Innovation in Spanish and Portuguese

About the Award

Presented by Klett World Languages and the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP)

As the Modern Language Association reminds us:

Language enrollments are declining even as the need for knowledge of world cultures and languages grows across many sectors of the workforce… Departments that thrive are those that actively seek internal and external collaborations, update their programs to attract interest and meet student needs, and celebrate student success through scholarships, awards, and social events.

Enrollments in Languages Other Than English in United States Institutions of Higher Education, MLA, 2024

Aligned with the above insights, Klett World Languages and AATSP are excited to announce a new award that celebrates language programs in Spanish and Portuguese that are setting new standards in curriculum and program design.

Two distinct categories ensure the award highlights innovation across the educational spectrum:

Category 1: Higher Education (2- and 4-year Institutions)

Programs in this category demonstrate ongoing improvements in student engagement and enrollment, supported by tangible and consistent outcomes. Their leadership serves as a model of excellence in higher education and contributes to the vitality of the profession.

Category 2: K–12 Schools (Elementary, Middle, and High School Programs)

This category honors K–12 programs that are reimagining language learning through innovative curriculum design, cross-curricular connections, and culturally responsive teaching. These programs foster student motivation, communicative competence, and global citizenship—building strong pathways toward lifelong engagement with Spanish and Portuguese.

Award Details

  • Award Amount: $1,000 each for two selected awardees
  • Nomination Dossier Deadline: January 25, 2026
  • Award Announcement: April 17, 2026
By introducing this award, Klett World Languages and the AATSP seek to:
  • Promulgate impactful strategies in program and curriculum design that have demonstrated significant success.
  • Encourage fresh approaches in language education that explore new opportunities and address current challenges.
  • Inspire language educators to shape the future of language education through dialogue and collaboration.
We look forward to celebrating the innovative efforts of programs advancing the fields of Spanish and Portuguese, and we encourage participation from departments and schools making a meaningful impact on their students and the profession.

How to Apply?

Please send your nomination dossier by email to [email protected].

Deadline: January 25, 2026
Award Announcement: April 17, 2026

Your submission should include the following materials, combined into a single PDF (max. 10 pages):

1. Cover Page

  • Institution or school name
  • Category (K–12 or Higher Education)
  • Program name and main contact person (name, title, email, phone)

2. Program Overview (1–2 pages)

  • Briefly describe your program and what makes it innovative.
  • Indicate the goals it addresses (e.g., student engagement, enrollment growth, curricular redesign, access, or inclusion).

3. Impact Summary (1–2 pages)

  • Share concrete examples of outcomes, such as enrollment data, student work, or recognition your program has received.
  • You may also include short testimonials from teachers, students, or administrators.

4. Supporting Evidence (optional, up to 5 pages)

  • Photos, sample materials, or links to relevant webpages are welcome but not required.

Please include “Klett–AATSP Award Application – [Institution Name]” in the email subject line.

Applications will be reviewed based on innovation, impact, and sustainability, as outlined in the downloadable rubric.

For any questions, contact [email protected].

Before applying, please review the full Terms and Conditions and the Evaluation Rubric.