ORGANIZATION

The Connecticut Council Of Language Teachers (CT COLT) is a non-profit membership organization that promotes language proficiency and the knowledge of world cultures.  CT COLT:

• Advocates world language learning for all students at all grade levels.

• Supports teacher and student activities that demonstrate language teaching and learning.

• Recognizes the successes of teachers and students in world languages.

The Connecticut Council Of Language Teachers is affiliated with the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, and maintains liaison with other national, state and regional foreign language organizations, including the Joint National Committee on Legislation and the National Council for Languages and International Studies in Washington, D.C.

The Connecticut Council Of Language Teachers is governed by the President, Vice-President/President-Elect, Recording and Corresponding Secretaries, Treasurer, and the Immediate Past President who serve as the Executive Committee. The Board of Directors consists of Regional Directors, eight language professional elected to represent geographic areas of the state, and Organizational Directors, representatives from language organizations in our state which include the following:

The Board of Directors also includes the World Language Consultant at the CT State Department of Education, the CT COLT World Language News Exchange Co-Editors-in-Chief, and the Chairperson(s) of Connecticut Coordinators of Foreign Languages (C.O.F.L.I.C.), and the President Emerita, who are voting members. The Board meets regularly to determine policy, to help organize conferences, student events, teacher workshops and meetings, and to conduct the business of the organization.

Directors are responsible for chairing or providing liaison to a variety of committees and/or activities of the organization which include the following:

STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND RECOGNITION

CT COLT seeks to improve language proficiency and knowledge of other cultures among Connecticut students through a variety of activities including: 

• Poetry Recitation Contest (Grades 7-12)
• Poster Contest (Elementary, Middle, and High School)
• Elementary Rhyme Celebration (Grades Pre-K to 6)

CT COLT recognizes and rewards the excellence and achievement of deserving students at all levels of instruction across the state by offering the CT COLT AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE. This award is granted to elementary, middle school and high school students who earn at least a 90/A- average or equivalent, and are selected by their teachers.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR TEACHERS

CT COLT holds two major events each school year: the Annual Fall Conference in October, the Spring Conference/Annual Meeting in May, and the Technology Conference in January. Relevant issues of content and methodology of teaching language and culture are presented in workshops by colleagues, guest speakers and invited experts in the field. At the Fall Conference, exhibitors share their materials and textbook series in the Exhibit Hall as well as during special exhibitor sessions. CT COLT is an official state CEU provider (#410) and uses a well-developed system to offer CEUs and pre-register as many as 800 participants at our Fall Conference. CT COLT offers free registration to practice teachers and to beginning teachers (years 1-3) at the Fall Conference. In addition to the conferences, the Professional Development and School-College committees organize workshops and language immersion activities for teachers.

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PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION

• CT COLT recognizes language educators with the Distinguished Service Award, the Helen Amaral Award, the Robert G. Mead, Jr. Award , and the Pegasus P.R.I.D.E. Award.

• The Distinguished Service Award is presented annually at the Spring Conference to acknowledge exceptional and meritorious service to the foreign language profession in Connecticut. Past recipients include Robert Serafino, Robert Mead, Kenneth Lester, Toby Tamarkin, Marco Arenas, Christine L. Brown, Bert Neumaier, Paul M. St. Louis...

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• In memory of one of our past presidents, the Helen Amaral Award is presented annually at the Fall Conference to an outstanding language educator to support travel and/or study abroad. Past recipients include Robert Bergen, Patricia Clark, Raymond Nalewajk, Mary Cuyler and Ellen Brookes, Dorothy J. Joba and Sharon Straka.

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• In 1996, an annual award of up to $300 was established in memory of Robert G. Mead, Jr., a beloved colleague and friend in the foreign language teaching profession. The purpose of the award is to help defray the cost of attending a national-level conference focusing on teaching language and culture.

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• In 1999, an annual award of up to $300 was established in memory of Jane G. Graveen, former head teacher of Glastonbury's Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES) program. The purpose of the award is to support the accomplishments of a FLES teacher by providing funding for the purchase of classroom materials.

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• The Pegasus P.R.I.D.E. Award recognizes at random two language educators in each of the eight regions who represent and underscore the hardworking, dedicated teachers who demonstrate:

  Professionalism

  Respect for cultural differences

  Involvement or Interest in professional growth

  Dedication to students

  Enthusiasm for languages and for teaching