Juniata\'s Language in Motion Outreach Program Receives State Award
(Posted October 15, 2007)
HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Juniata College\'s international language and culture program, Language in Motion, received the 2007 Bringing the World to Pennsylvania: K-16 Collaboration Award from the Pennsylvania Council for International Education at the organization\'s Sept. 28 conference in Harrisburg, Pa. The award, which is intended to give \"support and visibility to international and multicultural collaborative projects between K-12 and higher education institutions in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,\" was given to Deborah Roney, director of Language in Motion. The council recognizes programs such as Language in Motion to \"encourage educators and administrators to offer similar programs in their own school districts and communities, to build partnerships among educational institutions, and to demonstrate to state officials the energy and creativity that is available to further the international interests of the state.\" Language in Motion is in the second year of a second two-year, $150,000 grant from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations to continue and expand its mission to other colleges and universities across the country. The program has formed a consortium with six other colleges and universities nationwide to use the Language in Motion model as an international outreach program. The other member colleges are: Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa; Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa; Park University in Parkville, Mo.; Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pa.; and Willamette College in Salem, Ore. Other colleges are currently considering affiliating with the consortium. Started in fall 2000, Language in Motion brings international students, upper-level language students, and students returning from abroad into middle schools and high schools for language and cultural activities. It also offers professional development opportunities for teachers. Last year, Language in Motion, now in its eighth year of operation, served 16 school districts and presented lessons with 58 teachers in elementary and middle schools and junior and senior high schools in five counties. More than 50 Juniata students, both international students and U.S. students with international experience or strong second language skills, have made presentations as part of the curriculum to almost 2,500 area students. Over the program history, over 150 US students and approximately 100 international students have made presentations, including 11 from Asia, 11 from Europe, nine from the Middle East and North Africa, 9 from Latin American nations, and 10 from Sub-Saharan Africa. Language in Motion received the Institute of International Education 2002 Andrew Heiskell Award for Innovation in International Education. The program was originally funded by a NAFSA: Association of International Educators grant. The project is currently funded through a grant by the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations.
Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.