About the 2026 Back 2 School Conference
Over the past several years, world language teachers have embraced engaging activities, meaningful content, and acquisition-based strategies. Yet a fundamental question remains:
What makes language learned today still available months or years later?
This year’s conference invites educators to move beyond engagement and focus on designing learning experiences that lead to lasting language acquisition, deeper cultural understanding, and meaningful communication.
2026 Strands & Presenters
STRAND 1: Designing Learning That Lasts
Gonzalo Felipe del Real
Session title:Using Project-Based Learning to Support Language Acquisition
Rosa Casado
Session title: Reaching Reluctant Students: Practical Strategies for Real Classrooms
Joe Barcroft
Session title: Teaching Vocabulary for Acquisition
STRAND 2: Comprehensible Input and Language Acquisition
Pamela Parks
Session title:How to Be a Team Player as a Comprehensible Input Teacher
Diego Ojeda
Session title: CI in upper language levels
Erica Peplinski-Burge
Session title: The Language-Learning Brain: Neuroscience, Engagement, and Real Acquisition in the World Language Classroom
STRAND 3: Culture, Interculturality, and Global Perspectives
Kara Jacobs
Session title: Spoiler alert!
Krishauna Hines-Gaither
Session title: I am my language: Roots, Rhythm & Resistance
Nathan Lutz
Session title: Beyond Food, Flags, and Festivals: Designing Intercultural Language Learning That Lasts
Silvia Orellana Buckley
Session title:Beyond Engagement: Using Cultural Slides to Build Lasting Language and Cultural Understanding
STRAND 4: Assessment for Learning
Thomas Sauer
Session title: tba
Patrick Wallace
Session title: Proficiency in Practice: Real-World Strategies for Assessing Growth.
STRAND 5: Motivating and Empowering Language Learner
Carmen Reyes
Session title: Motivating and Empowering Students Through Identity, Culture, and Student Voice
Nathan Campbell
Session title: Bringing Language to Life: Inspiring Engagement Beyond the Classroom
Mirta Valdés & NatHalie Nathalie Meunier
Session title: Scaffolding, Engagement and Meaningful Projects in the WL Classroom
Sarah Hopper
Session title: Using Personalized Language Learning to Motivate and Promote Learning
STRAND 6: Teaching Advanced Courses (AP and Beyond)
Val Luppino
Session title: Equipping Your Students: Aligning Your Teaching with the New AP World Language Exam
Diego Ojeda
Session title: Rethinking Advanced Language Instruction
STRAND 7: Technology and AI in Language Learning
Manuela Mena
Session title: Once Upon a Prompt
Is AI killing creativity… or forcing us to redefine it?
Jasmin Root-Joswig
Session title: Feedback That Sticks: Peer and AI-Supported Assessment for Lasting Language Learning
STRAND 8: Supporting Diverse Learners
Kim Potowski
Session title: Spanish as a heritage language: The Bad Bunny effect vs “No sabo kid” narratives
Juanita Calvo
Session title: tba
Register today!
Join hundreds of world language educators and get immediate access to high-impact, flexible professional development.
Only $50 for 20+ hours of professional development!
Special Pricing for Schools & Districts:
Contact us at [email protected] for group rates.
All sessions available starting July 25, 2026
Registration until September 30
You’ll have 3 full months of access from the day the content becomes available—or from your registration date if you sign up after July 25
STRAND 6: Planning Through the ACTFL Modes of Communication
Joshua Cabral
Session title: Planning for Meaningful Language Use Across the Modes
Sara Elizabeth Cottrell
Session title: One Text, Three Modes
Janice Holter Kittok
Session title: Get Two for the Price of One: Integrate Language and Content
