Center for Applied Second Language Studies - The Northwest National Foreign Language Resource Center
Listen to WILL participants speak about their experiences.
Listen to WILL participants speak about their experiences by clicking on the image above.
The Western Initiative for Language Leadership (WILL)

Teaching a foreign language in an atmosphere focused on core subjects as defined by No Child Left Behind can be a daunting - and often thankless - task. But it doesn't have to be. CASLS created a professional development program to support isolated second language teachers with five or fewer years of teaching.

Participants in the Western Initiative for Language Leadership (WILL) work as a collegial group supported by CASLS' staff, national experts, and previous WILL participants serving as mentors. Over two separate weeklong summer institutes, participants focus on action research and leadership, culminating in two yearlong projects, while earning university credit. CASLS will begin recruiting participants for the next cycle in 2011.

The WILL model has been so successful that we have expanded the program to create the Southern Initiative for Language Leadership (SILL) to specifically support educators in the Southern United States. Explore the experiences of WILL participants and mentors by viewing a short, eight-minute video. (Medium and low quality versions also available.) You will need to install QuickTime to watch the video.

Benefits of Participating in WILL

  • Improve teaching methods and student outcomes
  • Develop professional confidence
  • Network with experienced educators and national experts
  • Gain experience conducting research, writing articles, and presenting ideas
  • Rejuvenate your passion for the profession

Support from the U.S. Department of Education Title VI and the Pacific Northwest Council for Languages allow CASLS to provide this valuable professional development service to language educators.