Globalization is an integral component of world language education and is even more critical now than ever before as we consider our immediate and long-term goals for world language programs in the US. The increasing demand for globally competent students is ever-present as we strive to prepare our students to live and work in diverse communities where they will interact with speakers representing many languages and cultures. The world language profession is well-poised to take a leadership role in its efforts toward globalization in US schools. There is currently strong momentum in many facets of our profession including national frameworks that link proficiency development with interculturality, advocacy efforts at the state and national level to build educational capacity for languages, and global initiatives in commonly taught and critical needs languages.  Yet, during a time in our profession when we have established goals that can potentially lead to positive changes in the direction of K-20 language study, we are also facing significant challenges and uncertainty about the future, including low enrollment in languages, program survival needs at all levels, and K-12 teacher shortages. This presentation will explore some of the most critical issues we are experiencing in world languages and ways we might use our momentum and diversity as a profession to have a collective impact in shaping our future. 

Mary Lynn Redmond (BA, EdD UNC-Greensboro, MAEd UNC-Chapel Hill) is Professor of Education and Coordinator of K-12 Foreign Language Education at Wake Forest University (NC). Mary Lynn teaches undergraduate and graduate level courses in K-12 methodology and research and also supervises student interns. Prior to her work at the university level, Mary Lynn taught French in grades K-12.  She has held numerous state and national positions, including president of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), president of the Foreign Language Association of North Carolina (FLANC), and president and executive secretary of the National Network for Early Language Learning (NNELL). Her contributions to the profession have been dedicated to the promotion of high quality K-12 proficiency-oriented foreign language programs for all students. Her research covers a wide range of topics in foreign language education, and she has published articles in The French Review, Hispania, Foreign Language Annals, Learning Languages, and The Language Educator as well as numerous book chapters and instructional resources. Mary Lynn received the 2004 Teaching Award given by the Southern Conference on Language Teaching (SCOLT) and the 2005 Anthony Papalia Award for Excellence in Teacher Education from ACTFL/NYSAFLT.