NCOLCTL is pleased to announce Hye Young Shin as its new President for 2023. She served as President-Elect in 2022.
Hye Young Shin presently holds the esteemed positions of Senior Professorial Lecturer and Director of the Korean Language Program and Asia, Pacific, and Diaspora Studies Program at American University. With a native Korean background, she has successfully instructed both heritage and non-heritage students across a diverse range of educational environments, encompassing colleges, U.S. government establishments, Korean heritage schools, and K-12 public schools. A strong advocate for Korean heritage education, Hye Young Shin has actively collaborated with Korean heritage school teachers through community outreach programs, conducting numerous workshops tailored to their professional growth. Additionally, she has made significant contributions as a member of the Education Advisory Committee for the Washington Association of Korean Heritage Schools. Furthermore, for a period of seven years, she served as the lead instructor for multiple Star Talk Teachers programs, during which she designed comprehensive curricula and educational materials specifically catered to K-16 and heritage school Korean teachers. Notably, Hye Young Shin has obtained valuable certifications, including being an ACTFL-certified Korean OPI and WPT tester and rater. She also possesses a Virginia State Korean teacher license for preK-12 specializing in Korean and ESOL. Her qualifications reflect her commitment to excellence in language education. An accomplished co-author of the renowned Epic Korean textbook series, Hye Young Shin’s work aligns with the ACTFL’s World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages, employing the 5C goal areas to foster connections and comparisons between communication and cultures. This comprehensive series has garnered recognition for its effective organization and pedagogical approach. Currently, Hye Young Shin’s research focuses on vital aspects such as the preservation of heritage language and culture among Korean immigrants, the education of heritage language teachers, exploration of language teachers’ identity, and advancements in Korean language pedagogy. Her scholarly pursuits contribute to the development and enrichment of language education practices.
Hye Young Shin writes
It is an honor to serve this esteemed organization that has been at the forefront of language education for years. I have been an active member and board member of NCOLCTL for several years, attending conferences and engaging with the vibrant community we have built. Through my involvement, I have had the privilege of collaborating with various world language associations, expanding my network and deepening my understanding of the challenges and opportunities in our field.
Having served as a Board Member since 2020, I have been privileged to immerse myself in the intricate administrative workings of NCOLCTL. This experience has provided me with a comprehensive understanding of crucial processes, including the meticulous planning of our annual conference, the discerning selection of conference papers, and the effective chairing of conference sessions. Actively engaging with fellow board members and participating in our meetings and conferences has further enriched my comprehension of our organization and its overarching objectives.
As the President of NCOLCTL, I am elated to bring my personal achievements as a distinguished Korean and multicultural educator to the forefront. My vision encompasses several key areas where I intend to effect meaningful change. Firstly, I am resolute in my commitment to actively engage with educators who focus on languages that may be underrepresented within NCOLCTL, such as Southeast Asian languages. By forging connections and developing a profound understanding of their distinctive requirements, we can foster a more inclusive and diverse community.
Secondly, I firmly believe that expanding the interests and scope of NCOLCTL is of utmost importance. It is imperative to incorporate vital areas such as social justice, intercultural competence, multicultural education, peace education, and global leadership. By embracing these dimensions, we can proactively navigate evolving educational landscapes and effectively address pressing societal challenges that impinge upon language education.
Thirdly, I am dedicated to personally engaging and recruiting potential participants for our highly anticipated annual conference. Through proactive outreach to esteemed educators and professionals, we can ensure a vibrant and diverse conference experience that authentically reflects the multifaceted perspectives and needs of our esteemed community.
Furthermore, leveraging my expansive knowledge of effective teacher training methods, I intend to develop and deliver professional development workshops at our conferences. These meticulously crafted workshops will cater to the diverse needs of language educators, equipping them with practical strategies and innovative approaches to enhance their instructional practices and elevate the learning experience for their students.
Lastly, recognizing the profound impact of shared interests, I will spearhead the establishment of Special Interest Groups (SIGs) within NCOLCTL. These SIGs will serve as dynamic platforms, uniting individuals who share a common language-specific interest. By nurturing collaboration, facilitating the exchange of knowledge, and fostering innovation among like-minded educators, we will collectively advance the field of less commonly taught languages.
I am deeply honored to assume the role of President of NCOLCTL, and I am unwavering in my dedication to advancing our organization’s mission and empowering our esteemed members. Together, we will steadfastly champion the significance of less commonly taught languages and decisively shape the future of language education.
About NCOLCTL
NCOLCTL’s mission is to increase the number of Americans who choose to learn one or more of the less commonly taught languages (LCTLs) as a means of enhancing cross-cultural communication among citizens of the United States. NCOLCTL’s work focuses on the less commonly taught languages which are becoming increasingly vital to the security, economic, social and political welfare of the United States. NCOLCTL seeks to improve the teaching and learning of these languages and to make them more generally available.
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