Why language study is key to global competitiveness

Language learning is essential to ensuring global competence and national security, writes Clarissa Adams Fletcher, the 2011 National Language Teacher of the Year for the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. Fletcher advocates in this article for early and consistent access to sequenced language study for K-12 students to prepare them for a professional world that will require them to communicate in languages other than English. Language study also can help develop students' 21st century skills and offer them a better understanding of other cultures, she writes. 
 http://www.ajc.com/opinion/study-a-language-discover-855946.html

Dual immersion programs thrive in Utah schools

Utah schools are leading the nation in the expansion of dual language immersion programs for students. The state's leaders are behind the push, which includes a goal to quadruple enrollment in immersion programs, and a federal grant will allow some Chinese programs to continue through the summer. Educators say the language learning is giving students an academic boost. "You can actually see that those [students] are performing at and above their peer[s] that aren't in the immersion program," principal McKay Robinson said. http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=14481960

More restaurants serve gluten-free fare

Several restaurants in Columbia, Mo., offer gluten-free entrees, part of a national trend of increased gluten-free options in both eateries and at retail stores. Sales of gluten-free food rose 16% from 2008 to 2009, according to Nielsen, driven in part by people who do not have celiac disease but believe there are health benefits to cutting gluten. Read more
http://tiny.cc/373s3

New online program offers virtual language immersion

Middlebury College is partnering with online-learning company K12 to create an Internet-based immersion program for high-school students learning foreign languages. The program will modeled after an intensive summer language academy and will offer the equivalent of a school year of language immersion through online video, audio and avatars. Organizers say the program, which will be available first in Spanish and French, can be used in online schools, brick-and-mortar settings or as part of blended-learning models. Read more http://tiny.cc/u4c9l

Social-networking tool for tweens is headed to schools

A new social-networking tool that targets children between ages 8 and 13 launched Tuesday and soon could be available to more than 56,000 schools. The Everloop network has established a partnership with the Internet-safety program i-Safe, which will introduce the program in schools to teach about social media. The network, which says it is compliant with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, requires parental permission to join and is monitored by the company to prevent inappropriate behavior. Read more http://venturebeat.com/2011/02/15/everloop-i-safe/

Celiac expert pens cookbooks, advises people to read labels

Carol Fenster finally got a celiac disease diagnosis in 1988 for her sinus infections and respiratory problems and since then has made it her mission to develop gluten-free recipes. Her latest cookbook is "100 Best Gluten-Free Recipes" and her website,gfreecuisine.com, offers even more ideas, but she encourages people to first read food labels at the grocery store to ensure products are gluten-free. Read more  http://www.mlive.com/living/jackson/index.ssf/2011/02/post_9.html

Gluten-free market grows but not due to celiac disease

The gluten-free food market in the U.S. is growing faster than expected but not many people are buying these items to treat celiac disease or gluten intolerance, according to Packaged Facts. Its consumer survey found the top reason for buying gluten-free products was a perception they are generally healthier, followed by a belief they will help with weight control. Read more  http://tiny.cc/hffp0