Purpose: From the KWLA mission statement: “KWLA is a network of individuals who support, promote and advocate the teaching and learning of a variety of world languages and cultures.” To that end, it is our role to celebrate the achievements of current K-12 language students and inspire those students to continue their language learning journeys during postsecondary education, in the workplace, and perhaps as future language teachers.
General description: Students can submit items to be judged in language, culture, and cross-curricular events (listed here). Students may also elect to take the AAPPL assessment in an attempt to gain their Seal of Biliteracy. When students are not actively participating in a competition, they will be participating in language and culture workshops presented by community partners, sponsors, KWLA board members, and/or student organizations.
Participation & Registration:
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A teacher must be a current member of KWLA in order to register for the event. There is no additional charge for the teacher, but they may be required to assist in the assessment of student work from other schools/levels within their target language. JCPS Teachers ONLY: Please contact Dr. Rouse before registering.
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Each teacher registration allows for a maximum of 20 student participants. If students are attending in person, the teacher must attend the event in-person. For students in K-12, the chaperone to student ratio for in-person participation must be 1:10 or lower. You are in charge of securing your own chaperones; chaperones do not need to be teachers or speak the target language(s).
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Base student registration costs $5, which includes participation in all of the cultural and language sessions as well as some event swag (may be a t-shirt, string bag, or other goodies provided by community partners and/or sponsors).
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Each student may participate in a maximum of 3 competitive events. Competition participation is not mandatory. Each competition entry (individual or group) costs $5.
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Students taking the AAPPL will have an additional charge of $20 (the cost of the test itself, no upcharge). They may additionally participate in up to 3 competitions, but entries must be virtual.
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Registration process
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Teacher registers via Wild Apricot/KWLA Member Site. Deadline: March 1, 2026.
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Upon successful registration, teacher will receive an email with a Google Sheet to fill out with all student information
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ALL virtual submissions & in-person cultural events require an entry page. A link to this page will be included in the registration email. If the entry page is missing, or if materials to be scored are not included, the entry will be disqualified but the teacher will still be invoiced.
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KWLA will provide a Google Drive folder link to each registered teacher to upload student work. File names should be formatted as “Event Name - Last names of all students”. All links and files should have sharing settings set to “anyone with the link” can view. Any links that are unavailable to judges at the time of scoring will be disqualified. Please check the functionality of all links from an account external to your school/district to ensure functionality.
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Each student must submit a completed Photo & Video release with registration. Students without this form may not compete or participate in cultural events. KWLA shares student work with other teachers, university partners, and board members. Student names and images may be shared on KWLA’s website. Please note: (1) If a student has a release on file with your school, it does not count for this external event (2) Even virtual students must have a release, as their name, school, student work, and any videos (including their faces) will be shared.
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ALL registration information–including final participant list, virtual submissions, and releases–must be submitted 3 weeks prior to the event. KWLA will consider your entry form final at midnight on MARCH 6, 2026. No additions or changes can be made after this point.
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Invoices will be generated and emailed to teachers no later than 1 week after the final registration deadline.