Dr. Carolyn Taylor, Julie Pacheco-Toye, and Amy Rill
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Exhibit Halls CDE, Workshop Room #7 
How can world language classrooms become vibrant spaces where identity and belonging thrive? This engaging session shows how interculturality connects language learning with students’ voices and lived experiences. Through interactive strategies and ready-to-use tasks, you’ll discover ways to affirm identity, spark critical thinking, and strengthen authentic communication. Leave inspired with practical approaches for weaving interculturality into daily instruction—creating classrooms where students feel seen, valued, and empowered to use language with confidence and purpose.

Amy Rill & Julie Pacheco-Toye
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Exhibit Halls CDE, Workshop Room #7
Ready to energize your classroom with proficiency-based teaching? This interactive session bridges the gap between concepts and implementation. Dive into authentic materials, purposeful tasks, and contextualized language learning that spark curiosity and communication. Walk away with fresh strategies, practical tools, and concrete ideas to design instruction that fosters meaningful communication, active student engagement, and real-world proficiency. Discover how to confidently transform principles into practice—making every lesson an opportunity for meaningful interaction and language growth.
 

Kristy Placido & Carrie Toth 
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Exhibit Halls CDE, Workshop Room #7
Join veteran educators Kristy Placido and Carrie Toth for an engaging session designed to support teachers at any stage of their journey. Drawing on decades of classroom experience, they’ll share practical strategies, resources, and inspiration for teaching with Comprehension-Based Readers. Discover how to spark curiosity, deepen comprehension, and foster language proficiency through meaningful, accessible texts. Participants will leave with adaptable ideas and renewed confidence to bring engaging, story-driven instruction into their classrooms.

Kelly Hass
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Exhibit Halls CDE, Workshop Room #7
With AI tools multiplying, educators need solutions that are classroom-ready, safe, and effective. This session demonstrates how generative AI can reduce teacher workload and strengthen student fluency without adding more complexity. See how Nualang supports content creation, interpersonal speaking practice with real-time feedback, and AI-assisted grading—all in one platform. Walk away with practical ideas for streamlining instruction, maintaining pedagogical control, and addressing common concerns about privacy, accuracy, and usability.

Let the good times roll at the end of your first ACTFL day with café et beignets! Capture special conference memories at our lively photobooth and experience our chatty Nualas in action with live Nualang™ demos. Don’t miss the fun with our Candoo and Nuala mascots, bringing energy and smiles as you gear up for an unforgettable New Orleans evening filled with magic, connection, and celebration.

Experience the magic where storytelling meets New Orleans flair! Sip hurricanes, savor muffulettas, and more as you mingle with the authors behind your favorite readers and world language programs. With lively conversation, authentic NOLA flavors, and special giveaways, this is one unforgettable afternoon you won’t want to miss!