TWLTA Advocacy 

Promoting the value of language learning and supporting policies that give all Tennessee students access to high-quality language education.

Advocacy contact: Gibson Keith, MNPS, [email protected]

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Current advocacy efforts

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Current efforts:

Click here for the World Language Education in the Volunteer State flyer

Support Tennessee’s World Language Graduation Requirement
Get the facts about the TN WL graduation requirements potential policy change [updated Aug 17, 2025]

TWLTA Statement:

• The Tennessee World Language Teaching Association (TWLTA) strongly supports the continuation of the state’s two-year World Language requirement for high school graduation. This policy is essential to ensuring that Tennessee students are prepared to succeed in the workforce, in higher education, and as global citizens.

• CAREER READINESS: World Language education is not simply about learning vocabulary and grammar—it develops both career and life skills. World Language learning enables our students to build critical communication skills, cultural competence, problem-solving abilities, collaboration in diverse settings, and empathy. These are 21st century skills employers consistently identify as vital for leadership and success in our economy.

• COLLEGE READINESS: Most universities require or recommend 2 years of a world language for admission. Removing the requirement puts Tennessee students at a disadvantage for admissions and scholarship opportunities.

• PARENTAL CHOICE: The requirement ensures all students have access to these competencies—not just those who opt in. Changing the current policy would lead to school counselors, not parents, choosing which students will graduate “college-ready.”

• TWLTA is committed to continue working with SBE, schools, businesses and communities to ensure that every student in our state can graduate not only with a diploma, but with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to excel in the 21st century.

Get involved:
1. KNOW THE FACTS. Learn why World Language education benefits all students:

• Making Language Our Business (Source: Making Languages Our Business: Addressing Foreign Language Demand Among U.S. Employers is a 2019 report commissioned by ACTFL based on a survey of 1,200 U.S. employers conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs)
• Employability Skills Framework for Career and Technical Education (Prepared by the ACTFL Professional Learning Committee)
• Cognitive Benefits (Key Research studies)
• World Language in Tennessee (Prepared by Keith Gibson, our advocacy representative)

2. REACH OUT TO YOUR STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION REPRESENTATIVE. Share your perspective on why the two-year requirement matters for Tennessee students:

• Find your board member here
• Sign-up to speak publicly at the next SBE meeting
• Elevator speech (under construction)
• Public speaking talk sheet (under construction)

3. ENGAGE YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY. Encourage students, parents, and businesses you know to express their support for strong World Language programs. Use our outreach toolkit:

• Reaching out to a business leader sample letter
• Business leader sample letter
• Student and Parent sample letters

4. JOIN HUNDREDS OF SUPPORTERS. Add your name to our TWLTA Voices for World Language Education and share with us the impact learning a language has had on enhancing your/your students’ future and career readiness.
​5. STAY CONNECTED. Follow us for updates and ways to stay involved:​