Stay In the Loop with the Idioma Star! ✨

With the Idioma Star newsletter, you’ll get a monthly dose of:

• Classroom-ready ideas & insights

• Course & event spotlight

• Cultural connections & resources

• News & updates across our programs

Click below to reach this month’s Idioma Star 👇

The countdown is on. With winter break approaching, energy is restless and eyes are glazed over. But you don't have to choose between "boring rigor" and "fluff." Discover four culturally rooted, proficiency-based strategies to keep your world language students engaged without the burnout. From holiday "ClipChats" to a Music Madness bracket and the fan-favorite "Write, Draw, Pass," learn how to maintain connection and acquisition right up to the final bell.

Stay In the Loop with the Idioma Star! ✨

With the Idioma Star newsletter, you’ll get a monthly dose of:

• Classroom-ready ideas & insights

• Course & event spotlight

• Cultural connections & resources

• News & updates across our programs

Click below to reach this month’s Idioma Star 👇

Idioma partners with the Ohio World Language Association (OWLA) in support of world language educators in Ohio.

Massachusetts is expanding its world language programs, but schools continue to face a shortage of qualified Spanish teachers. In the September 2025 issue of NECTFL Review, Idioma’s President & Founder and Capitol Technology University doctoral student Mellissia Walles shares findings from her recent study, Educator Perceptions of Spanish Teacher Recruitment in Massachusetts, shedding light on what’s working - and what isn’t - in recruiting Spanish teachers.

Stay In the Loop with the Idioma Star! ✨

With the Idioma Star newsletter, you’ll get a monthly dose of:

• Classroom-ready ideas & insights

• Course & event spotlight

• Cultural connections & resources

• News & updates across our programs

Click below to reach this month’s Idioma Star 👇

Idioma partnered with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to co-develop the Handbook for Induction and Mentoring, a comprehensive resource designed to support new educators and mentors across the state. The handbook provides practical tools and clear guidance for creating equitable, sustainable induction and mentoring programs aligned with the World Readiness Standards. Informed by educators and leaders across Massachusetts, the project reflects a collaborative effort to strengthen teacher support systems and improve student outcomes.

Discover how the 2025 AATSP Conference in Panamá brought language educators together in celebration and collaboration—and why Idioma Education & Consulting was honored with a prestigious Friends of AATSP award. See how our partnership with the NJ Chapter continues to make an impact on the Spanish and Portuguese teaching community.

The Shrewsbury Summer Institute: Idioma Education & Consulting Proficiency Bootcamp (June 23–26) offered world language teachers in Massachusetts a hands-on, four-day professional development experience focused on proficiency-based instruction. Through workshops and coaching, participants aligned their teaching to the 2024 ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines and the 2021 MA World Languages Curriculum Framework. Key topics included Integrated Performance Assessments (IPAs), communicative strategies for the three modes, grammar in context, comprehensible input, authentic resources, and maintaining 90% target language use. Educators left equipped with tools to enhance curriculum, instruction, and assessment for real-world language proficiency.

Spanish teacher Jennifer Degenhardt shares how supporting a struggling student, Anthony, through empathy and flexibility helped him grow in confidence—and in Spanish. Their story shows the power of connection, choice, and encouragement in language learning.

Idioma now partners with ACTFL to offer graduate-level credit for attending the ACTFL Annual Convention & Expo. Educators can earn credit by participating in the convention and completing a self-paced follow-up course with Idioma. Learn more and register today!

Looking for engaging end-of-year activities for your world language classroom? Explore three creative, culture-based project ideas that keep students motivated, speaking, and learning during the final weeks of school. Perfect for tapping into student energy while celebrating language growth and cultural understanding.

Idioma’s President and Founder, Mellissia Walles was recently featured in The Andovers spring 2025 magazine publication. The article highlights Idioma’s free English language program for school parents and guardians in North Andover, Massachusetts. The program is dedicated to helping adults in the school community improve their English language skills and learn to navigate situations common in the community. Read the full article by clicking on the images in the blog post.

Spring fever got your language students bouncing off the walls? This post shares fun, low-prep strategies to keep engagement high as the weather warms up—think outdoor activities, real-world connections, silly games, and student-led lessons. Fresh ideas to channel that spring energy into meaningful language learning!

Idioma proudly joined the FLENJ Annual Conference 2025 at Rutgers, reinforcing our commitment to world language educators. Mellissia Walles engaged with NJ state supervisors and alternate route candidates, highlighting our proficiency-based programs. Teachers were excited to learn about our affordable graduate credit options for career growth. Explore how Idioma supports NJ educators!

Idioma Education & Consulting President Mellissia Walles joined JNCL-NCLIS’s Language Advocacy Days in Washington, D.C., advocating for world language education with Massachusetts lawmakers. She and her team pushed for increased funding and legislative support for key bills, reinforcing the importance of multilingualism for national security, global diplomacy, and workforce readiness.

Idioma proudly exhibited at NECTFL 2025, reinforcing our commitment to proficiency-based language education and supporting the educators who serve their students. We sponsored the Advisory Council Plenary and Lunch, sharing licensure support programs for MA & NJ. Engaging with educators, we fostered meaningful connections and showcased our professional development opportunities and comprehensive programming for world language educators.

Idioma partners with the New Hampshire Association of World Language Teachers (NHAWLT).

Idioma Education & Consulting offers engaging, practical professional development workshops for world language educators. Our expert team designs customized PD to align with curriculum frameworks, enhance assessment strategies, and support new teachers. With real-world examples and hands-on activities, we make PD relevant and actionable. Keep reading to learn more!

Teaching is more than a job—it’s an identity. Elisa Kirschhoffer shares her journey from resisting the idea of teaching to embracing it as a calling, inspired by impactful mentors and her love for connecting with students. Teaching is personal, rooted in relationships, and driven by passion, even amidst challenges. Share your own inspiring “Why Teach?” story and celebrate the heart of education.