2025 Virtual Innovations Fair

Saturday, November 8 • Online via Zoom

 

Be Part of the Innovation Movement in Language Education

The AATSP is leading a collaborative movement to chart the path forward for language education, uniting educators, researchers, and program leaders in shaping the innovations of tomorrow.

We invite you to join us for our second annual Virtual Innovations Fair - a one-day online event dedicated to bold, forward-thinking ideas that reimagine the future of language education. This year's fair builds on the success of our 2024 Virtual Programs Fair, expanding to showcase innovations across all levels of education in Spanish and Portuguese. We also welcome educators in other languages and related fields whose work connects with ours.

At a time of budget cuts, declining enrollments, and shifting educational priorities, innovation is not optional - it's essential. The Innovations Fair provides a collaborative space where educators, administrators, and program leaders share advancements in program design, technology, outreach, curriculum, and more.

 

Keynote Speaker

Mark P. Del Mastro

"The Time is Now: Innovation and Overcoming the Crisis in Foreign Language Education"

Shifting student and societal expectations are reshaping higher education in the United States, and especially the perceived ROI (return on investment) of traditional humanities and language programs. Economic pressures and a focus on employability have led to declining enrollments in foreign languages as well as the closure of numerous language programs across the country. At the same time, there is a strong demand for "practical" college degrees that maximize employment opportunities for students upon graduation. As foreign language educators, we all fully recognize that foreign language education plays a vital cultural and strategic role in preparing graduates not only for employment but for lifelong contributions as global citizens. But how we successfully respond to the current challenges will require bold innovation, creativity, courage, broad collaboration and persistence. And the time is now!

Mark P. Del Mastro is Associate Provost for Academic & International Programs (2019-present) at the College of Charleston, where he also served as chair for the Department of Hispanic Studies (2010-19) and interim chair for the Department of German & Slavic Studies (2013-15). Prior to the College of Charleston, Del Mastro served four years as head of The Citadel's Department of Modern Languages, Literatures & Cultures (2006-10).