World Languages and Cultures
MBWLP: Monterey Bay World Language Project
For over 25 years the Monterey Bay World Language Project (MBWLP), one of the sites of the California World Language Project affiliated with the California Subject Matter Project, has been offering seminars to promote best practices for teaching language and cultures in Monterey, San Benito & Santa Cruz counties. MBWLP is housed in the Department of World Languages and Cultures at CSU Monterey Bay and sponsors research-based professional learning opportunities for World Language educators, advocates for the retention, expansion, and articulation of World Language programs across language levels, and supports California schools with the creation of World Language programs in order to prepare California’s students to successfully interact in our global society. As members of the California Subject Matter Project network, program activities are supported with federal and state grants and are guided by an Advisory Board and Concurrence Committee composed of representatives from diverse state educational institutions and the private sector.
Contact mbwlp@csumb.edu with any questions.
2024-25 Programs
The Monterey Bay World Language Project at California State University, Monterey Bay invites you to participate in the 2024-25 Seminars for World Language Teachers.
Please click the sections below to view the full Program Description. More events coming–please check back.
Empowering Connections: Strategies for Inclusion and Belonging in World Language Classrooms
Program Description
Join us for "Empowering Connections: Strategies for Inclusion and Belonging," a dynamic five-part workshop series designed for world language teachers committed to creating inclusive and supportive classroom environments. This series will explore ambitious and practical strategies to foster a sense of belonging among diverse student populations. Learn how to harness and build meaningful connections, enhance student engagement, and celebrate students’ accomplishments. By the end of this workshop series, you'll be equipped with tools to create a more inclusive classroom where every student feels valued and empowered.
Dates
September 21, November 2, December 7, 2024; and
February 22, April 5, 2025Time: 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Location: CSUMB@Ryan Ranch, 8 Upper Ragsdale, Monterey, CA, 93940
Registration Fee: Regular (after 9/14/23) $250
Early Bird rate (register by 9/14) $200
Student $50
Lunch included. Free Parking.
View the program flyer (GoogleDocs)
Join SAILN & MBWLP to discover the potential of AI in language education from experienced professionals!
The two-day event strikes the perfect balance of theory and practice, offering valuable insight on integrating and utilizing Generative AI in language teaching. Attendees will learn practical strategies and techniques to enhance language learning and create engaging classroom experiences.
Dates: 10/12/2024 & 2/1/2025
Time: 9 am – 12 pm PSTPresenters Mari Ocando Finol, PhD: Writing prompts for text-based Generative AI tools
Evan Rubin, MA: Practical applications and AI tools for enhancing student engagement
Cecile Nedellec, PhD: Teacher’s AI Toolkit: Enhancing Language Education in K-12
Mat Schulze, PhD: Generative AI, friend or foe?
Student Teachers: $40/day or $60/series
Regular admission: $70/day or $120/series
Join language professionals across California for:
Warm-up Routines That Build Community
Description: How do you start your class each day? The first 5 minutes of class are a golden opportunity to build connections. Come learn simple strategies that make kids want to attend, want to use the TL, and want to interact from the very first minute of class. These warm-up strategies support SEL practices, social justice, and help build communicative fluency and accuracy.
Date: Monday, October 7, 2024
Time: 4:30-5:30 p.m. via Zoom
Presenter Liz Matchett, NBCT,
has been an educator for over 35 years dedicating herself to the promotion of world languages at every level. Awards include Palo Alto Educators Association 2024 Outstanding Leadership Award, 2023 AATSP Teacher of the Year (Secondary), 2016 CLTA Teacher of the Year, and the 2012 McGraw Hill/CLTA Outstanding Teacher Leader Award. Service activities include co-chairing the California World Languages Framework Committee and being a Team Member for the Stanford World Language Project. She is currently a Teacher on Special Assignment for World Languages and DLI for the Palo Alto Unified School District, is an instructor for the Stanford Teacher Education Program, and is the Executive Director of the California Language Teachers’ Association. She lives in Redwood City with her husband.
Co-sponsored by CSUMB's School of World Languages and Cultures csumb.edu/wlc; California Language Teacher Association clta.net; American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese aatsp-norcal.org; and the Monterey Bay World Language Program csumb.edu/mbwlp
Additional 2024-25 Programs to be announced
Please check back here at csumb.edu/mbwlp for updates
MBWLP celebrates 25 years
The Monterey Bay World Language Project (MBWLP) recently celebrated 25 years of supporting language and culture learning in the tri-county region with a gathering of past participants and supporters. Read more in an article from the CSUMB newsroom. Project Director Dr. Yoshiko Saito-Abbott is a Professor of Japanese in the School of World Languages and Cultures and currently serves as the Professional Development Director of the American Association of Teachers of Japanese (AATJ).
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Resources & Archives
The state-wide subject matter projects suggest http://www.ocwlp.org/basics as a resource for preparation if you're teaching virtually.
Learn about our previous programs and workshops from the archive.
MBWLP Leadership Team
MBWLP Site Director
Dr. Yoshiko Saito-Abbott
Professor of Japanese, CSUMB School of World Languages and Cultures; MBWLP Founder/Director, and PI. Ph.D in Education (Foreign and Second Language Acquisition). Selected awards: 2014 CLTA Hall Wingard Lifetime Achievement Award; 2007 Allen Griffin Award for Excellence in Teaching; President of The Association of Teachers of Japanese (AATJ) 2016-2018; Professional Development Director of AATJ 2020-Present. She also received 2022 Marian Penn Partnership Award at CSUMB for her recognition of her contribution to communities through service-learning. Campus Directory Information
MBWLP Teacher-Leader Team
Yo Azama
Lead Instructional Coach/ World Language Curriculum Specialist in Salinas Union High School District. Selected awards: 2012 ACTFL National Language Teacher of the Year (TOY); Elgin Heinz Teacher Award in 2015; Outstanding Teacher of America Award by Carlston Family Foundation in 2013.
Anne Cappiello
Harbor High School, Spanish for Heritage Learners. Nominated for California League of High Schools Educator of the Year for Region 5 in 2014; 2015 CLTA Outstanding Teacher; Recipient of The Intrepid Philanthropy Foundation’s LIGHT Award grant in 2015-2017 to build a curriculum for heritage language learners.
Cameron Chien
North Salinas High School, Japanese. Instructional Coach at North Salinas High School, CAJLT Website/Media Coordinator, AP Japanese Content Development Team member.
Kristal KW Gaskell
Everett Alvarez High School, Spanish. MA TESOL '98 (MIIS); BA Linguistics '94 (UCSC); Multiple Subject BCLAD Teaching Credential with Reading Authorization; Single Subject Spanish Teaching Credential.
Erica Hashiba
Everett Alvarez High School, Japanese. Department Chair for Global Languages (2015 - Present), 2017 Everett Alvarez Award, 2018 Japanese American Citizens League IMPACT Award, Salinas Union High School 2018 District Teacher of the Year.
Julie Hoefling
Everett Alvarez High School, French, 2018-2019 Everett Alvarez High School Teacher of the Year; February 2018 EAHS Teacher of the Month
Minako Kamimura
Rancho San Juan High School, Japanese
Michelle Leversee
Del Mar High School, Spanish. Coordinator of the Emergent Multilingual Students Program. National Board Certification for Professional Teaching Standards, 2009-2019. 2014 WV World Language Teacher of the Year, 2020 and 2022 Del Mar High School Teacher of the Year. Taught all levels of Spanish Language Acquisition, AP and IB Spanish, Spanish for Heritage Speakers.
Mio Nishimura
Alisal High School, Japanese. 2018 CLTA Outstanding Teacher Award, 2018 Alisal High School Teacher of the Year, TCAL 2004 and 2008 Coach of the Year.
MBWLP Staff
The MBWLP Project
For over 25 years the Monterey Bay World Language Project (MBWLP), one of the sites of the California World Language Project affiliated with the California Subject Matter Project, has been offering seminars to promote best language teaching practices in Monterey, San Benito & Santa Cruz counties. The MBWLP Team is composed of experienced language teachers because we believe that “Teachers Teaching Teachers” is the most effective way to encourage the use of proficiency-oriented, standards-based strategies to improve student performance. Please join us, fees negotiable!
MBWLP Contact Information
Email: mbwlp@csumb.edu
Phone: (831)582-4256
Mailing Address: MBWLP, 100 Campus Center, Building 504, Room 2411, Seaside, CA 93955
Street Address (for GPS navigation only!): 3050 Divarty Street, Seaside, CA 93955 See on Google Maps
Note: MBWLP moved to a new location in August 2019. The office is now Room 2411 in the East Wing of Building 504, the main building for the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.