Tech's Department of Foreign Languages co-hosts professional development workshop for world language teachers
The Department of Foreign Languages at Tennessee Tech University recently co-hosted the professional development workshop “World Languages Mean Business in Tennessee” with the Tennessee World Language Teaching Association, bringing world language teachers from across the state to Tech’s campus.
TWLTA advocates for world language education and provides resources for Tennessee’s world language teachers, including professional development opportunities that help teachers meet licensing requirements.
The workshop featured Angela Regitko and Shaun Scantland, regional director and business development consultant, respectively, for the Upper Cumberland region with the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.
Regitko and Scantland discussed how TNECD recruits companies to establish operations in Tennessee and highlighted the importance of language and intercultural skills when working with foreign-owned businesses. They also discussed the economic impact of attracting these companies to the state, which have contributed more than $50 billion in capital investment in Tennessee.
“This workshop was a bit different because we wanted to show attendees all of the economic potential their students can access with world language training,” said Debbie Barnard, Tech professor of French. “ECD has brought more than 1,000 foreign-owned companies to the state. More than 80% of Tennessee’s counties have a foreign-owned business, and combined, these businesses employ more than 160,000 workers.”
Mark Groundland, associate professor of Spanish, added that students and graduates of Tech’s Department of Foreign Languages are seeing the benefits of a foreign language education firsthand.
“In order for high school and college students to be competitive in today’s global marketplace, they need to learn other languages and function in different business cultures that are located practically in our backyard,” added Groundland.
Mike Olsen, interim chair of the Department of Foreign Languages, noted that, more than just an opportunity to highlight Tech’s campus, the workshop equipped world language teachers with the data to make the case for the value of world language training in their communities.
“Our hope in hosting this workshop is that high school and community college world language teachers who attended will share this information with students, parents and administrators in their districts to show how world language training is a valuable part of career readiness for Tennessee’s students,” said Olsen.
Learn more about the Department of Foreign Languages at Tennessee Tech University at www.tntech.edu/fl.