Amidst the restless excitement of the city these past months, we at CALEC are also working tirelessly.

The world is shifting at a pace that is almost paralysing for one. There’s too much information to digest, too many skills to learn. How do we deliver the essence of all these important matters? That was the challenge that CALEC set for ourselves.

After many sleepless nights, we finally want to present our solutions: On September 1st, four new CALEC publications will officially be released!

These books are compacted with the essence of discussions and research relating to the hottest topics right now: artificial intelligence, education and identity.

Even better? All four books are now available for pre-order.

Beyond Perfection: The Beauty of Imperfect Language Learning — Volume 1

What does it mean to learn, inherit, and live with a language without speaking it “perfectly”?

Volume 1 explores heritage language learning, multilingual identity, family language transmission, and resistance across generations. Through the curation and compilation of multiple sources such as personal narratives and community-centered secondary research, this volume celebrates the complex — and often imperfect — ways languages remain part of our lives.

Pre-order Volume 1

Beyond Perfection: The Beauty of Imperfect Language Learning — Volume 2

The conversation continues in Volume 2, further challenging assumptions about what successful language learning should look like. There is a key message that we want into bake into our pie: “imperfect” multilingualism is not a problem to be corrected. Instead, we should find ways to create a space for the diverse realities of multilingual speakers.

Pre-order Volume 2

Bilingual Education in the Age of AI: Opportunities, Challenges, and New Directions

How can we embrace AI in education, specifically language education, without losing sight of the people and cultures rooted at its heart?

This timely collection brings together researchers, educators and school leaders to examine how artificial intelligence is reshaping bilingual and multilingual education.

Whilst we enthusiastically embrace the endless possibilities AI provides to us, we must not lose ourselves in the joy of its convenience. Instead, we must take a step back and ponder on the hidden side of the coin — issues surrounding bias, privacy, and educational equity.

Unlike a coin, we as civilisation do not exist in dichotomies. Thus, our CALEC contributors seek to explore the areas in between the “no-AI” and “yes-AI” camp. AI is a powerful but imperfect tool that we have developed, which must be used critically and responsibly. The future of bilingual education should be supported by these jewels of human creation, while remaining human-centered and language-conscious.

Pre-order Bilingual Education

Global Citizenship Education: 30 Scenarios for Transformative K–12 Curriculum and Action

How can educators help students understand - and participate meaningfully in - an increasingly interconnected world?

Global Citizenship Education brings global issues into the educational conversation through 30 scenarios for transformative K–12 curriculum and action, offering another resource for educators seeking to connect classroom learning with the world beyond it.

Pre-order Global Citizenship Education

All four books will be released September 1. Pre-order your copies today and be among the first to read them.

cutting edge style (the man behind it all)

A book begins telling its story long before we turn the first page.

As we prepare to release four new titles, we also want to celebrate the visual language that brings them together — the mastermind behind it is a stranger to none.

Raymond Verdaguer’s work now spans five CALEC covers, including our previously featured Bridging Worlds and all four of our September releases.

Verdaguer’s brilliant mind bridges tradition and modernity together, using his trademark linocut technique to bring a bold and tactile illustration of CALEC’s literary worlds.

• Linocut is a printmaking technique that transforms a simple sheet of linoleum into a work of art. The artist carves a design into the surface, applies ink to the areas left raised, and presses the block onto paper to reveal the final image.

  • Precisely because every line must be deliberately carved away or preserved, the process gives each composition a sense of intention and strikingness.

• These physical prints then have to be scanned and uploaded to the digital world for us to turn them into usable covers.

Verdaguer has described his art as a means of building bridges between people and cultures. His philosophy and artworks truly reflect CALEC’s own identity and mission.

integrity in the shape of a platinum seal

We are proud to share that CALEC has earned the 2026 Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid.

The Platinum Seal is Candid’s highest level of nonprofit transparency recognition.

Candid is one of the world’s leading nonprofit information platforms trusted by foundations and donors worldwide. It enables users to evaluate organizations before making funding decisions. Receiving the Platinum Seal affirms CALEC’s commitment to openness, measurable impact, and service to our communities.

Securing this achievement in our hands, we will continue to work tirelessly to contribute to the different communities that we serve.

This seal is more than just a recognition for us. It is our love letter to everyone who has been part of our CALEC journey and placed their faiths in our mission. We thank all who have been with us every step of the way. Your support means the world.

But wait. What does support really tangibly mean?

Many of you have been generously showing your love through monetary donations because of your faith in CALEC, allowing us (as a non-profit) to continue our operations.

We want to take the active step to show you where these funds go to. A donation isn’t simply a transaction. Every donation, large or small, will help support one of our 5 key areas:

1. E-learning

Supporting the smooth-running of our e-learning platform ‘Read in 2 Languages’, which contains digital multilingual resources and activities

2. Publishing

Contributing to costs of publishing and translating children’s books, as well as translating these books into a variety of languages

3. Educational Resources

CALEC has an ecosystem of initiatives supporting multilingual education and cultural understanding: TBR Books, New York in French, Révolution Bilingue Podcast, and Ri2L, which are facilitated by donation. Find out more about these on the initiatives section of our website

4. In-School Support

Your donation helps us implement CALEC’s initiatives - our books and e-platform - in classrooms, particularly in underserved communities in New York and Paris.

5. Community Initiatives

We organise book fairs, author talks, parent workshops, and educational conferences, all of which to promote multilingual education face-to-face.

Every individual’s effort is appreciated, and we want to ensure our subscribers can contribute in ways meaningful to them within reasonable capacity. Thus, we also want to provide a small illustration of what what your gift makes possible - no amount is too small to make an impact at CALEC.

$25 - Puts a bilingual storybook in a child’s hands. Gives one family access to Read in 2 Languages with a catalog of 200+ books in 20+ languages - this is perhaps the first time a child sees their home language and public language side by side.

$50 - Supplies one workshop session for families. Covers the materials — activity sheets, sample books, take-home guides — for a ‘raising a bilingual child’ workshop for families in our community.

$100 - Facilitates a workshop for a parent or teacher. Funds a facilitator’s time to run a hands-on session.

$120 - Gives one teacher a full year of Ri2L access. A classroom’s worth of multilingual lesson plans and activities, ready whenever the teacher needs them - for an entire school year.

$500 - Brings language learning to life, in person. Funds a full teacher training day, a parent workshop on raising a bilingual child, a multilingual book fair, or an author visit.

$1,000 - Translating a book into a new language. Covers the full cost of translating a book or other educational materials - meaning a family can read a popular story in their home language.

$2,000 - Translates and publishes a full educational resource. Funds translations and print-on-demand publishing process of a book or curriculum resource into a new language, opening it to an entire new community of readers.

There are many ways to be part of this work. Whether through sharing our work, joining our team, or donations through the channels listed on our website, every contribution helps turn support into educational access.

privilege, not yet a right

Across the United States, bilingualism is increasingly being recognized as an educational asset. However, a new report from the Migration Policy Institute (MPI) highlights an important gap between recognizing bilingualism and providing students with opportunities to develop it.

Dwindling bilingual opportunities

While bilingual and dual-language programs have expanded across the United States, access varies considerably by geography. MPI’s 2026 research draws particular attention to this phenomenon in secondary grades.

Among the challenges faced are shortages of qualified bilingual teachers, limited funding, and difficulties continuing programs as students transition from elementary into middle and high school.

State requirements also vary considerably. According to MPI, only five states—Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, and Texas—require districts to establish bilingual programs when they reach specified thresholds of English Learners (ELs) who share a language background and grade level.

Bilingualism is a luxury. Why do we care when there are other pressing issues to worry about?

For native English speakers living in the US, bilingualism hardly sounds like a concern beyond boasting rights amidst friends. However, being supported in their journeys to master multiple languages is particularly significant for heritage language learners and ELs. For them, it means the ability to develop academic proficiency in English whilst maintaining a deep connection with their families and cultures.

As multilingualism gains greater recognition in American education, the conversation may therefore need to move beyond “Do we value bilingualism?” towards another question:

For CALEC, this distinction lies at the heart of our work. Celebrating and lauding multilingualism has its merits. Yet, we always strive to ensure that we are also creating the right type of educational resources that allow languages to be learned most valuably.

The report shines light on how the different methods of language education can meaningfully impact how ELs learn:

Bilingual education has been widely recognized as effective in supporting English Learners (ELs) by developing their language skills, affirming their cultural identities, and producing stronger long-term academic outcomes than English-only instructional models. A range of instructional models carry the name “bilingual education,” which describes their use of two languages (typically English and a partner language) to deliver academic content and instruction.

At CALEC, we recognise the need to balance different linguistic identities instead of picking one over the other. While texts written purely in the primary language of a learner could make its content easily understood, it would also reduce their effectiveness as learning tools.

That is why we have been pushing the boundaries of our creativity with bilingual books like Lapin is Hungry, seamlessly transitioning between languages as it crafts a beautiful narrative that anyone can follow.

Ending off on a hopeful note, whilst the report identifies the many gaps in the system, it also offers solutions to our challenges. Change is but one small action away.

Stay Connected

Follow CALEC for upcoming events, new publications, educational resources, and multilingual stories from around the world.

Instagram: @calecny

Facebook: CALEC.ORG

LinkedIn: CALEC

Thank you for being part of our multilingual community.

Subscribe now

Summer is the perfect time to explore new perspectives on language, culture, and education. What better way to do it than with CALEC?

Recommended Reads

Hop Hop Hop

Perfect for bedtime, the classroom, bilingual families, and curious young explorers, Marsup the Little Australian Kangaroo is a sparkling invitation to discover nature, language, and friendship — one hop at a time. If that doesn’t sound enticing enough, get this: the book comes with a song!

French All Around Us Series
Stories and reflections highlighting multilingualism, identity, and cultural connection. A profound series that will deepen your understanding of how languages shape our identities.

Beyond Perfection
Moving beyond the often paralyzing “gold standard” of achieving native-like fluency, this volume seeks to celebrate the beauty of imperfect language learning, elevating how most multilingual individuals embody multilingualism with varying levels of proficiency across multiple languages.

A Bundle of Joy - Children’s eBook + Audio Read-Along

We’re excited to introduce a new collection of children’s ebook and audio read-along bundles on CALEC.fr.

Children learn in different ways. While some thrive through reading independently, others benefit from listening, repetition, visual cues, or a combination of multiple approaches.

We want to recognise that. We at CALEC believe in inclusivity, both in terms of the delivery of the content as well as its affordability. By pairing beautifully illustrated books with professionally narrated audio recordings, these bundles allow children to see, hear, and experience stories simultaneously, helping them develop stronger literacy skills while fostering a love of reading. These bundles carry our hopes of making different forms of education accessible to all young ones.

Explore the collection today!

Upcoming Event Spotlight

13th Annual Community-Based Heritage Language Schools Conference

Date: October 2–3, 2026

Registration is now open for the 13th Annual Community-Based Heritage Language Schools Conference.

The conference brings together educators, researchers and community leaders committed to supporting heritage language education and multilingual communities.

Participants will have opportunities to:

• Learn from leading experts in language education

• Share best practices from community-based schools

• Explore innovative approaches to multilingual teaching and learning

• Connect with individuals from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds

CALEC will be hosting a panel discussion on our book Bridging Worlds, a profound read on how heritage languages shape identity, strengthen communities, and build more inclusive societies. Even more excitingly, we will be providing a free copy of the book to all registrants!

Register today to join in on the conversation and catch a copy of our book!

Registration

Global Multilingual Wins

The evolution of knowledge regarding bilingualism

A recent New York Times article has shone a light on the scientific evolution in studies relating to bilingualism.

Neuroscientists have long theorized that bilingual speakers must process different languages with separate patterns of brain activity[….] In a new study, however, researchers found that these patterns were more alike than had been expected.

In many countries, there is a common conception of categorizing languages into “first language/native language”, and secondary languages. This linguistic assignment of tiers is reflective of previous beliefs that bilingualism acts as a disruptive force to the speaker’s ability to process in their “native language”.

Over time, studies have reflected more positive benefits of bilingualism, highlighting better performance levels of bilingual speakers in terms of memory and concentration.

This new study published in JNeurosci suggests further that bilingualism might not be disruptive to one language for the sake of another.

Dr. Blanco-Elorrieta said in a news release that a single “grammatical engine” in the brain appeared capable of powering multiple languages at once.

This growing study on bilingualism is allowing more people to move past outdated myths and toward a richer appreciation of the benefits of bilingual experiences.

CALEC’s very own author, Ellen Bialystok, has also been making significant contributions to such discussions. As a distinguished neuroscientist and Research Professor at York University in Toronto, she is one of the world’s leading experts on bilingualism and cognitive development. Through decades of groundbreaking research, Bialystok has helped demonstrate that multilingualism is not an obstacle to overcome, but a valuable human resource that shapes how we think, learn, and engage with the world.

For those interested in learning more, we invite you to explore Bilingual Children: Families, Education, and Development, in which Ellen Bialystok examines what science tells us about multilingualism and its impact on children, families, and society.

The wonders of the human brain never cease to amaze us. Cheers to the advancement of bilingualism!

Artificial Intelligence Expanding Multilingual Access

Advances in multilingual AI and large language models are making translation, language learning, and multilingual educational resources more accessible than ever. New multilingual AI systems can increasingly support hundreds of languages, helping reduce barriers for learners, educators, and communities around the world.

Yet, many emphasise the necessity of the human touch in translation. The joy of learning a language and immersing yourself in its related culture and heritage is irreplaceable.

This ferocious discussion on artificial intelligence’s place in society is part of mankind’s courageous navigation into a new and unknown era. CALEC hopes to contribute to this conversation through our upcoming new publication: Bilingual Education in the Age of AI: Opportunities, Challenges, and New Directions. Look forward to a nuanced, insightful collation of perspectives on the use of Artificial Intelligence by our group of brilliant authors.

A Guide on How to Impress

Picking up a new language will always be the surest way to garner looks of admiration from your peers and family. Sounds even better when you’re fluent in the famed language of romance - French. The hardest part of language learning, however, is never knowing where to start.

That is why CALEC has readily prepared bundles of resources to help every aspiring French speaker. Through our partnership with language-learning platforms such as Gymglish (where we collaborated on their Frantastique learning series), subscribers can access engaging online programs designed to make language learning flexible, effective, and enjoyable. Here’s a secret: you can get one whole month of lessons for free!

Act on your summer goals now with the support of CALEC! Check out all our programs and resources here: New York in French

A note of gratitude - Raymond Verdaguer

As we anticipate the release of several new books, we would like to take the time here to thank our wonderful illustrator, Raymond Verdaguer, who has gifted us with so many unique cover illustrations that bring to life the meanings behind all of our publications.

His inspired and original pieces of artworks are done through wood engravings and linocuts. In these modern times where we are swept up by the curse of time, Raymond’s careful carvings enchants us to pause, and reflect.

Be on the lookout for our spellbinding Verdaguer covers with the upcoming publications of Beyond Perfection and Bilingual Education in the Age of AI: Opportunities, Challenges, and New Directions.

We know that these covers are not enough to satiate your desire for more Verdaguer aesthetics. Don’t worry, head down to Raymond’s blog to truly immerse yourself in his palace of imagination.

Join our team

Looking to build your professional experience while increasing educational accessibility?

Center for the Advancement of Languages, Education, and Communities (CALEC) is seeking your help in the creation and distribution of educational content to local communities!

As an organization dedicated to multilingual education, our family is equally as diverse and international. Find a project that you’re interested in and be part of this movement to make language accessible for children in underserved communities!

Our Teams:

• Development: Power our financial sustainability via grant qualification and B2B school partnerships

  • Available Development Roles

• Tech: Maintain our digital ecosystem across calec.org, calec.fr, and our proprietary ri2l.org platform

  • Available Tech Roles

• Content: Design bilingual curriculum paths, language-learning games, and native-speaker read-aloud modules

  • Available Content Roles

• Distribution & Outreach: Build pipelines into global library networks, independent bookstores, and school districts

  • Available Distribution & Outreach Roles

• Publishing: Manage the end-to-end editorial and design lifecycles of our scholarly essays and cultural-history book series

  • Available Publishing Roles

We collaborate asynchronously and shared workspaces, giving you the freedom to execute entirely on your own schedule.

Ready to make a difference? Click the button below to submit your application today!

Join CALEC's Team

Help Us Keep Languages Thriving

At CALEC, we believe that every language carries stories that deserve to be preserved and shared. As a nonprofit organization, we work to support multilingual families, educators, and communities through our various educational initiatives.

If our work has inspired you, please consider making a donation. Your support helps us continue creating resources, fostering dialogue, and championing multilingualism for future generations.

Every gift helps keep languages - and the communities behind them - thriving.

A little sign of support

Stay Connected

Follow CALEC for upcoming events, new publications, educational resources, and multilingual stories from around the world.

Instagram: @calecny

Facebook: CALEC.ORG

LinkedIn: CALEC

Thank you for being part of our multilingual community.

Subscribe now

The event brought together scholars, educators, community leaders, and cultural advocates to explore the many ways French continues to move across borders, generations, communities, and identities. From global demographic shifts to local histories in Louisiana, New England, the Rust Belt, and bilingual schools, the discussion reminded us that French is not a fixed inheritance, but a living language shaped by those who speak it, teach it, reclaim it, and pass it on.

The full recording is now available here:

Change

One of the central themes of the conversation was change. The French language is constantly evolving, and so is the meaning of the word “Francophone.”

Being Francophone today cannot be reduced to citizenship, birthplace, or even perfect fluency. It may refer to people who speak French at home, students learning French in school, communities reclaiming a heritage language, immigrants maintaining multilingual identities, or families reconnecting with cultural roots across generations.

The conversation also highlighted how social media and digital platforms are changing how young people encounter the Francophone world. They now have access to voices, accents, cultures, and communities that were once less visible in traditional classrooms or cultural institutions.

Experience

The panel also explored the lived experience of speaking French outside dominant norms. Several speakers reflected on the pressures faced by communities whose French has sometimes been dismissed or undervalued, including Franco-American French, Québécois French, Louisiana French, Creole languages, and other regional or diasporic varieties.

This raised an important point: discrimination within a language community can be invisible to outsiders, but it has real consequences for speakers. Feelings of shame, hesitation, or linguistic insecurity can shape whether people choose to speak, teach, or transmit a language.

At the same time, the conversation showed that these communities are not simply preserving the past. They are actively redefining what French can be in American life.

Growth

A hopeful thread ran throughout the event: the Francophone world is becoming more diverse, more visible, and more open to multiple forms of belonging.

In the United States, recent French-speaking immigration has contributed to renewed interest in French-language communities and heritage. At the same time, many Francophone and French-speaking Americans already rooted in the country are rediscovering and reconnecting with their French-language histories, whether in New England, Louisiana, the Rust Belt, or other regions.

French as a heritage language is also gaining momentum, especially in places where family history, community memory, and education intersect. For young people, learning French can become more than the study of a foreign language. It can be a way to reconnect with family stories, regional identity, and a broader Francophone world.

Impact

The conversation also reminded us why language matters. Speaking and learning French can open doors to new perspectives, communities, professional opportunities, and ways of understanding the world.

But the impact of language goes beyond usefulness. Language carries memory, culture, values, relationships, and belonging. It allows communities to tell their own stories and imagine their futures.

French in Motion invited us to see Francophonie not as something frozen in time, but as something constantly being created — in classrooms, families, community centers, books, music, digital spaces, and public conversations.

We invite you to watch or revisit the full recording and continue the conversation with us.

Thank You

We extend our warmest thanks to our speakers and contributors: Son Excellence Michel Xavier Biang, Mohamed Embarki, Jessamine Irwin, Claire-Marie Brisson, Bertrand Tchoumi, Peggy Feehan, John Tousignant, Kathleen Stein-Smith, and Fabrice Jaumont.

Special thanks as well to the organizing and communications teams, and to our partners: the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, CALEC – TBR Books, and French Morning.

Finally, thank you to everyone who joined the conversation, asked questions, shared reflections, and helped make French in Motion a meaningful exchange on the past, present, and future of Francophonie in the United States and around the world.

To access the livestream, simply click on the link below. The Youtube Livestream will begin promptly at 6pm (EST), so definitely enable the “notify me” button on Youtube to not miss out!

The in-person event will be held in French. For our non-French speakers, we will adopt live AI translations in English so that everyone can access the vibrant discussions of our speakers.

See you soon!

Join us as we celebrate French in Motion with the publication of Le français autour de nous – Volume 2 and La langue française dans le monde.

From Louisiana to the Rust Belt—and from bilingual schools to Franco-American communities— discussions will shed light on a living, dynamic language that is passed down, reinvented, and reclaimed across diverse regions and generations. Broadcast online via French Morning, this evening event will offer a broad audience the opportunity to join in a lively dialogue regarding the future of the French language and the rich diversity of the Francophone world.

Program List:

06:15 PM - 06:20 PM

Welcome remarks

Welcome by His Excellency Michel Xavier Biang

06:20 PM - 06:50 PM

Francophonie in the World Report

Presentation of the Report on Francophonie in the World: Mohamed Embarki in conversation with Fabrice Jaumont (Moderator)

06:50 PM - 07:20 PM

Le français autour de nous, Vol. 2. Panel

Fabrice Jaumont (Author and Editor of Le Français Autour de Nous – Volume 2; President of CALEC)

Claire-Marie Brisson (Ch.5, French Language and Francophone Identity in the Rust Belt; Professor, Harvard University)

Bertrand Tchoumi (Ch.8, Building a Francophone Identity in Bilingual Schools: African-Centered Reflections of a Black Education Leader; Charter School Founder)

John Tousignant (Ch.18, A Heritage Recaptured; Director of the Franco-American Centre of Manchester, New Hampshire (FACNH))

Jessamine Irwin (Ch.3, Teaching, Learning and Living in French; Professor at New York University)

Peggy Feehan (Executive Director of the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana (CODOFIL))

Questions and Discussions

Q&A session with audience

Closing words

Closing words by Kathleen Stein-Smith (Author and Editor of Le Français Autour de Nous – Volume 2; Officier dans l’Ordre des Palmes académiques; Chair of the AATF (American Association of Teachers of French) Commission on Advocacy)

This event will be held online. We encourage everyone to register and participate!

Register for Event

FAQ:

What language will this event be in?

The event will be in French, with AI-translated live English captions.

Where can I find this event?

The event is live streamed on Youtube!

Recent Highlights

Salon du Livre Africain de Paris

21–22 March 2026

This year’s Salon du Livre Africain de Paris explored the theme “Jeunesse Africaine”, shining a spotlight on the voices and stories of Africa’s youth.

The CALEC team was honoured to play a part in this meaningful event, where we showcased our work in multilingual education and engaged in conversations around youth, language, and cultural identity.

The experience nourished the souls of our CALEC family. Hearing from renowned educators, authors, and advocates from around the world, we were once again reminded of the power of language in shaping the next generation.

Festival Francophone

March 2026

56 years ago, on March 20th, the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) was founded in Niamey, Niger. Since then, the month of March has been host to countless joyous celebrations of the global Francophone community.

CALEC’s own team celebrated Francophonie month by participating in PS58’s Festival Francophone, a heartwarming event that brought together families and friends. We brought out and showcased our books printed in French, and were touched by the level of positive reactions we received.

This month has served as a wonderful reminder of just how fascinating languages are. We at CALEC hope to continue spreading this curiosity to our communities – that’s why we are excited to introduce our latest brainchild!

What’s Coming Next

A New Milestone: Launch of Ri2L.org

We are most delighted to announce the official launch of Ri2L.org, a platform dedicated to supporting language learning for youths anywhere, anytime.

At CALEC, we believe that accessing different languages is not just about acquiring more tools for communication. It is unlocking entirely different worlds and cultures. We want children to experience the joys of language learning as they embark on this journey. Ri2L is then the key we have forged, offering a new way to experience language learning through interactive, multi-sensory content.

What makes Ri2L special?

Our stories are curated for children to discover language through cultural context and storytelling

Uniquely, they are accessing bilingual stories that train simultaneous reception of information in two languages.

Accommodating for the diverse range of learning styles, we designed both visual and auditory learning formats.

By integrating these elements, Ri2L has three main goals in mind: Make language learning more intuitive and enjoyable; Support young learners and educators; Foster a deeper appreciation for multilingualism in today’s interconnected world.

Explore Ri2L

Actions speak louder than words! We invite you to explore the platform for yourself and uncover the many captivating functions we have included! Be part of our journey to supporting bilingual communities today: Ri2L.org

Festival du livre de Paris 2026

We’re excited to participate in this year’s Paris Book Festival with a curated selection of books and conversations around language, education, and storytelling. Spread the word, and come find us at Stand BALA22!

Some of our featured sessions & titles include:

• Hop Hop Hop: Marsup, le petit Kangourou Australien

• Le français autour de nous: La francophonie aux États-Unis: héritage et perspectives d’avenir

• Bridging Worlds: The Power of Heritage Languages in Social Cohesion

See you there!

CALEC is an organization fuelled by passion. If you share our dream of making language learning accessible and want to learn more about ways in which you can support CALEC, please visit our website. You can also find all of our publications in our catalog.

Not a fan of websites? Don’t worry: you can follow us on our social media platforms (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Pinterest) to stay updated with our events and publications.

Merci beaucoup!

To learn more about ways in which you can support CALEC, please visit our website. You can also find all of our publications in our catalog.

Follow us on our social media platforms (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Pinterest) to stay updated with our events and publications.

Events

CALEC at the Festival d’Hiver and Book Fair at Smith Street Maternelle in Brooklyn

On Saturday December 6th 2025, CALEC had the pleasure of attending the Smith Street Maternelle’s Festival d’Hiver and Book Fair.

It was a joy interacting with students and parents, and welcoming CALEC author Karine Cohen-Dicker for a reading of her book, Biscotte et le nouveau.

CALEC joins the Comité des Associations Françaises

We are excited to announce that CALEC has joined the Comité des Associations Françaises et de langue française de New York (CAFUSA).

As a new member, CALEC was proud to attend the year-end celebration hosted at the Consulate of France in New York on December 11, 2025.

CALEC at the Salon du Livre et de la Presse Jeunesse

From November 26 to December 1, 2025, our France-based team participated in the Salon du Livre et de la Presse Jeunesse in Montreuil. It was an enriching experience that allowed us to make new connections and introduce a wider audience to the work of our talented authors and editors. We showcased our catalog of more than 250 titles from TBR Books and CALEC Éditions, featuring multilingual children’s literature as well as works focused on bilingualism, education, and cultural history.

Publications

Pre-Order Alert: Bridging Worlds: The Power of Heritage Languages in Social Cohesion

CALEC is thrilled to announce that our new title, Bridging Worlds: The Power of Heritage Languages in Social Cohesion, is now available for pre-order.

Bridging Worlds: The Power of Heritage Languages in Social Cohesion reveals how heritage languages shape identity, strengthen communities, and build more inclusive societies. Featuring global scholars and community leaders, this volume explores bilingual classrooms, immigrant families, policy innovations, and grassroots initiatives across continents.

Visit our website to pre-order your copy: Bridging Worlds: The Power of Heritage Languages in Social Cohesion

Call for Papers

Game On! Using Videogames to Learn Languages and Explore Cultures

Our upcoming publication, Game On! Using Videogames to Learn Languages and Explore Cultures is inviting contributors to explore how digital play can support multilingualism, encourage cultural awareness, and open doors to global communication. This book aims to illuminate the pedagogical, cultural, and narrative potential of videogames in fostering language acquisition and intercultural dialogue around the world.

We are seeking proposals from scholars, teachers, game designers, practitioners, gamers, language aficionados, community educators, and first-time authors. Contributions representing diverse linguistic, cultural, and educational environments are welcome.

Visit our website for more information on this project: Call for Papers: Game On! Using Videogames to Learn Languages and Explore Cultures

Champions of Multilingual Futures: Bilingual Leaders Transforming Education

Champions of Multilingual Futures will bring together voices of school and system leaders who are shaping the next generation of multilingual education. Through engaging, accessible narratives, contributors will share how they have founded, led, and sustained Dual Language Immersion (DLI) and multilingual programs that center students’ linguistic and cultural strengths.

This volume invites storytelling grounded in practice and purpose, writing that is both personal and visionary. Contributors may write in English or French.

Visit our website for more information on this project: Champions of Multilingual Futures

Holiday Gift Guide

Looking for thoughtful holiday gifts?

Discover CALEC’s Holiday Gift Guide, featuring curated sets of e-books for parents, educators and kids. Spread the joy and benefits of bilingualism with titles that celebrate language, culture and community.

Visit our website to order:

Holiday Gifts for Parents : E-Book Edition
https://calec.org/.../holiday-gift-guide-for-parents.../...

Holiday Gifts for Educators: E-Book Edition
https://calec.org/.../holiday-gift-guide-for-parents.../...

Holiday Gifts for Kids: E-Book Edition
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To learn more about ways in which you can support CALEC, please visit our website. You can also find all of our publications in our catalog.

Follow us on our social media platforms (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Pinterest) to stay updated with our events and publications.

Dear CALEC Supporters,

Since 2012, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, known as Giving Tuesday, has been celebrated as a day to inspire good deeds and generosity. At CALEC, we are committed to promoting language as a vital life skill through bilingual education, cultural exchange, and support for multilingual families.

Your donation helps us build a more inclusive, multilingual world. With your support, we can continue :

• Expanding translation and publishing in diverse languages,

• Providing free access to our book platform in underserved communities

• Organizing educational events for parents, educators, and children.

Through our work, we strive to protect cultural heritage, reduce inequality, and empower communities through language. Join us in advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals by making a meaningful impact, one book, one child, and one language at a time.

Why Your Donation Matters

67M+

people in the United States speak a language other than English at home
that is the equivalent to 22% of the U.S. population.

2.6M+

students in the United States speak a language other than English at home
that is the equivalent to 4.7% of the U.S. students.

7,000+

languages are spoken globally, yet many are at risk of disappearing. Without intervention, up to 90% of languages could vanish by the end of this century.

Why CALEC?

DONATE NOW

Via PayPal

Via Venmo

Via Check

Your Donation Is Tax-Deductible

CALEC is tax exempt from federal income tax under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c)(3). Donors can deduct contributions they make to you under IRC Section 170. CALEC is also qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts under Section 2055, 2106, or 2522.

Learn more about our tax-exempt status.

To learn even more about ways in which you can support CALEC, please visit our website. You can also find all of our publications in our catalog.

Follow us on our social media platforms (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Pinterest) to stay updated with our events and publications.

This special edition of our newsletter is dedicated to recapping our experience at the Salon de l’Éducation Bilingue à New York, and to showcasing some of our favorite publications. These works continue to inspire learners, educators, and language enthusiasts to explore the beauty of French language and culture.

Bilingual Education Fair in NYC

On November 1, 2025, the team at CALEC attended the Salon de l’Éducation Bilingue à New York at Villa Albertine. Organized by the French Morning Media Group, the event brought together educators, families, and advocates of bilingualism for a day of dialogue and discovery.

Multilingual Education Specialist, Madison Nguyen (pictured in blue), hosting the Read in 2 Languages: Empowering Families, Enriching Classrooms panel.

Our team hosted a panel titled Read in 2 Languages: Empowering Families, Enriching Classrooms, highlighting our Read in 2 Languages platform, and also took part in a student-led discussion, Growing Up Bilingual. At our stall, we showcased dozens of our French and English publications and enjoyed connecting with both new and familiar faces who share our passion for bilingual education.

Educational Resources

Jeux de FLE: Étude de la langue, by Marie-Pierre Serra, offers a playful, step-by-step approach to mastering French grammar, spelling, and conjugation (levels A1–A2).
Each lesson ends with an interactive game that reinforces learning through action and comparison with the student’s native language. Designed for easy classroom use, its clear layout and ready-to-use materials help teachers save time while fostering student autonomy.

Starting at $12.00
Visit our online store to learn more.

French All Around Us, edited by Fabrice Jaumont and Kathleen Stein-Smith, celebrates French language and Francophone culture across the United States. Volume 1 highlights the presence of French in everyday life through stories of educators, community leaders, and Franco-Americans, while Volume 2 explores the legacy and future of Francophonie in education, diplomacy, and culture. Together, the series reveals how French continues to shape communities, history, and identity across the United States.

Bundle: $45.00
Paperback: $24.99 each
E-book: $9.99 each
Visit our online store to purchase a copy.

For Kids

Biscotte and the New Kid, by Karine Cohen-Dicker and Agnes Angeles, tells the heartwarming story of Biscotte, a spirited young girl, and Moumou, a new classmate from a recently arrived refugee family. Set in a country where French, English, and the universal language of friendship intertwine, it celebrates openness and kindness across cultures. This bilingual French–English book also includes a fun coloring activity to engage young readers creatively.

Paperback: $12.99
E-book: $9.99
Visit our online store to purchase a copy.

The Lapin series, by Tania and Olivier Czajka, follows Lapin, a lovable bunny with big feelings and even bigger adventures, in two delightful stories: Lapin is Hungry and Lapin is Cold. Through playful, bilingual French–English tales, young readers explore emotions, problem-solving, and everyday vocabulary. Perfect for ages 3–7, each story is filled with warmth, humor, and heart.

Paperback: $14.99 each
Bundle: $25.00
E-book: $9.99 each
Visit our online store to purchase a copy.

To learn about ways in which you can support CALEC, please visit our website. You can also find all of our publications in our catalog.

Follow us on our social media platforms (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Pinterest) and show us how you are celebrating National French Week, by posting with the tags #NationalFrenchWeek and #CALEC.

This week, we are featuring some of our titles and tools that inspire continuous learning and help build strong, multilingual communities.

For Parents

Bilingual Children: Families, Education, and Development

Bilingual Children: Families, Education, and Development, published by renowned psychologist and professor Ellen Bialystok, explores how learning multiple languages shapes children’s cognitive, social, and emotional growth. This book highlights the lifelong benefits of multilingualism for individuals, families, and communities.

Paperback: $19.99

E-book: $9.99

Visit our online store to purchase a copy.

For Educators

Guiding Teachers into Bilingual Education

Guiding Teachers into Bilingual Education : A Bridge Between Theory and Practice, edited by Valérie Fialais and Reseda Streb, is a collaborative work developed by bilingual educators and researchers from around the world. This volume addresses the vital need to connect academic research with real classroom practice, offering practical strategies for implementing dual-language instruction, challenging monolingual ideologies, and empowering both teachers and learners.

Paperback: $24.99

E-book: $9.99

Visit our online store to purchase a copy.

Myths and Facts About Multilingualism

Myths and Facts About Multilingualism, edited by Julie Franck, Federico Faloppa, Theodoros Marinis, draws on groundbreaking research from the EU’s MultiMind project. The aim of this volume is to debunks common misconceptions surrounding multilingualism and illuminates its profound impact on our mind, brain, and society.

Paperback: $24.99

E-book: $9.99

Visit our online store to purchase a copy.

Read in 2 Languages Platform

Read in 2 Languages is CALEC’s innovative online platform designed for schools and communities passionate about literacy, language, and bilingual education. This first-of-its-kind, interactive program offers a curated selection of multilingual books, engaging activities, and expert resources to help young readers build fluency in two languages while fostering a lifelong love of reading and learning.

To support this initiative, please contact us at contact@calec.org. Learn more by visiting our website.

Try for free with the code calec25

For Kids

My Granny Lives in the Tablet

My Granny Lives in the Tablet, a bilingual French–English story by Christine Hélot, shows how members of a modern family grow closer through the creative use of technology. This heartwarming tale celebrates connection, communication, and the power of language across generations.

Paperback: $14.99

E-book: $9.99

Visit our online store to purchase a copy.

Join CALEC at these upcoming events:

New York

November 1st, 2025 - Bilingual Education Fair in NYC.

Villa Albertine, 972 5th Avenue, New York, NY, 10075. (Registration required)

Paris

November 26th - December 1st, 2025 - 41ᵉ Salon du livre et de la presse jeunesse en Seine-Saint-Denis.

Paris Montreuil Expo 128, rue de Paris, Montreuil. (Free ticket required)

To learn about ways in which you can support CALEC, please visit our website. You can also find all of our publications in our catalog.

Follow us on our social media platforms (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Pinterest) and show us how you are celebrating National Learning and Development Month, by posting with the tags #LearningandDevelopmentMonth and #CALEC.

Step into expertise with The Language Leader’s Library—a hand-picked collection for educators, advocates, and changemakers in the fields of bilingualism and multilingual education. Whether you’re an aspiring leader or a seasoned professional, this essential bundle gives you the intellectual tools, real-world examples, and visionary insights to elevate your understanding and impact.

What’s Inside the Bundle:

1. Guiding Teachers into Bilingual Education (Fialais & Streb)
   A bridge between academic research and classroom practice—essential for bilingual program design.
   Retail: $24.99

2. Myths and Facts about Multilingualism (Franck, Faloppa, Marinis)
   Bust misconceptions and explore cognitive, societal, and policy implications of multilingualism.
   Retail: $24.99

3. Speaking the World (Lazar & Jaumont)
   A practical look at multilingual fluency in the workplace and education systems around the globe.
   Retail: $24.99

4. Conversations on Bilingualism (Fabrice Jaumont)
   In-depth interviews with global experts including François Grosjean, Ofelia García and Ellen Bialystok on the benefits and challenges of bilingual education.
   Retail: $19.99

5. Bilingual Children: Families, Education, and Development (Ellen Bialystok)
   Cognitive neuroscience meets classroom insight in this foundational book on language development.
   Retail: $19.99

6. Navigating Dual Immersion: A Teacher's Companion (Valerie Sun)
   A practical guide to thriving as a dual-language educator—covering credentials, interviews, classroom strategies, and community engagement.
   Retail: $19.99

🎁 Bundle Price: $99.00 USD (Regular Value: $134.94)
💸 Save over 25% with this expert-curated set!

🔗 Order Now and Save

Discover How Cultural Fluency and Multilingualism Empower Global Citizens

At CALEC, we believe that understanding other cultures and languages isn't just a skill—it's a superpower for today’s interconnected world. Our latest resource, Speaking the World, is more than a book—it’s a movement to bring cultural fluency and multilingualism to every classroom, home, and community.

📘 The book is available for purchase here:
👉 Buy Speaking the World

🌐 Explore the full resource center:
Resources for Educators, Parents, and Students

What’s Inside?

We’ve developed comprehensive guides for every member of the school community:

• 🎓 Guide for Educators – Strategies to create inclusive, multilingual classrooms.

• 🧒 Guides for Students – Age-specific materials for primary through high school.

• 🏫 Guide for School Leaders – Visionary strategies to foster global learning.

• 👪 Guide for Parents – Practical tips to support language and culture at home.

✨ All guides are free to download from the Resource Center.

Dive Deeper Into the Book

Alongside the guides, the Speaking the World page offers:

• Author insights and interviews

• Real-world examples of global communication

• A downloadable press kit, full publication catalog, and the book preface

• Praise from educators, readers, and global leaders

🎧 Bonus Resources

• Watch: Video resources on cultural fluency

• Listen: Podcast episodes and interviews

• Join: Book events and recordings

Join the Global Conversation

Whether you're a teacher, student, administrator, or parent, Speaking the World offers tools to open minds, inspire curiosity, and prepare for a future without borders.

📘 Buy the book and start exploring today:
👉 Purchase Speaking the World

Together, let’s build a world that speaks—and understands—every voice.

Warmly,
The CALEC Team

• Apprentissage actif : chaque leçon se termine par un jeu pour fixer immédiatement la notion étudiée.

• Progression pas‑à‑pas : du repérage visuel à la production écrite/orale, les activités montent en difficulté sans jamais décourager.

• Ponts avec la langue maternelle : l’élève compare systématiquement le français à sa langue d’origine pour mieux comprendre et mémoriser.

• Vocabulaire de classe essentiel : les mots‑clés (date, consignes, matériel…) sont recyclés tout au long du parcours pour favoriser une vraie vie de classe en français.

• Format prêt à l’emploi : photocopiables, codes couleur clairs, consignes annotées ; l’enseignant gagne du temps, l’élève gagne en autonomie.

Ce que contient la collection 📚

Volume Format Objectif principal 1. Livret de l’élève 176 p., couleur Leçons courtes, exercices progressifs, auto‑évaluations 2. Livret de l’enseignant 136 p., couleur Fiches de préparation, corrigés détaillés, variantes de jeux 3. Livret de jeux (couleur) 172 p. détachables Plateaux, cartes, dominos, fiches « Jeu‑flash » 4. Livret de jeux (N&B) 172 p. Version économique à photocopier ou colorier

Public visé : enfants et préados (7‑13 ans) débutant le français (niveaux A1 à A2).

Un aperçu de la méthode

1. Découverte
   L’élève observe une illustration ou manipule des cartes pour repérer la nouvelle règle.

2. Analyse guidée
   Questionnaires rapides ; on compare avec la langue maternelle pour lever les obstacles.

3. Entraînement
   Exercices progressifs (1 → ★ ★ ★) travaillant orthographe, grammaire et conjugaison.

4. Jeu de réinvestissement
   Memory, bingo, plateaux de parcours, défis d’écriture courte… à faire seul, en binôme ou en groupe.

Atouts clés pour l’enseignant 🧑‍🏫

• Séances prêtes en 15 minutes : objectifs, matériel et différenciation indiqués en marge.

• Réutilisable en présentiel ou en visioclasse (PDF interactifs disponibles).

• Compatible avec les manuels généraux A1/A2 : structure en 12 unités thématiques (école, maison, loisirs…).

Ils en parlent ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

« Mes élèves ont réclamé les jeux à chaque fin de séance ! Les progrès en conjugaison sont flagrants. »
— Nadia, professeure FLE à Madrid

« Enfin un support qui pense la grammaire en couleur et en mouvement ! »
— Olivier, formateur d’enseignants

Prêt à transformer votre classe ?

Ajoutez Jeux de FLE – Étude de la langue à votre panier et offrez à vos apprenants la grammaire… version fun !

Shop

Held under the high patronage of President Emmanuel Macron, the Festival du Livre de Paris 2025 drew a record-breaking 114,000 visitors—with an astounding 43% under the age of 25. From April 11–13, the Grand Palais transformed into a vibrant crossroads of voices, genres, and generations. CALEC was honored to be among the 450 publishers contributing to this landmark literary event.

🌍 Championing Multilingualism in a Global Arena

True to our mission of fostering linguistic diversity and educational equity, CALEC brought to the Festival a curated selection of publications centered on multilingualism, identity, and intercultural understanding.

Several newly released titles garnered special attention:

• 📘Lapin is Hungry and Lapin is Cold

• 📘 Jeux de FLE : Étude de la langue

• 📘 French All Around Us – Volume 2, an exploration of Francophone identities in the U.S.

• 📘 Speaking the World: Multilingualism and Cultural Fluency in the Professional World, a collection of essays on language in global career contexts.

These books sparked meaningful dialogue among educators, students, researchers, and readers from around the world.

✨ Authors and Artists at the Heart of the Experience

Visitors to CALEC's stand had the pleasure of meeting several talented contributors:

• Tania Czajka, author of Lapin is Hungry and Lapin is Cold, bilingual children’s books infused with playful storytelling and cultural warmth.

• Marie-Pierre Serra, whose textbook Jeux de FLE : Étude de la langue offers innovative tools for French language educators.

• Toscane Landrea, illustrator of My Granny Lives in the Tablet : Ma grand-mère vit dans la tablette, a bilingual picture book exploring memory and family connections in the digital age.

Their presence highlighted CALEC’s commitment to supporting voices across generations and cultures through creative, accessible, and multilingual works.

📖 A Literary Festival of Global Dimensions

With more than 1,200 authors featured and 12 countries represented, the 2025 edition of the Festival showcased the international reach of literature. Morocco, this year’s country of honor, brought over 50 authors and 38 publishing houses, enriching the program with vibrant literary perspectives from across the Maghreb.

💬 Reflections and Looking Ahead

The Festival was more than a literary event—it was a celebration of the appetite for books and language across all ages. For CALEC, it was a powerful affirmation of our work to empower communities through multilingual education and storytelling.

We are grateful to the organizers, media partners, fellow publishers, and especially the thousands of readers who visited our stand, attended our signings, and joined the conversation.

📅 Save the date: The next Festival du Livre de Paris will take place April 17–19, 2026.
Until then, stay connected with us at calec.org for news, new publications, and upcoming events.

#FestivalDuLivreDeParis #CALEC #Multilingualism #LinguisticDiversity #BilingualBooks #FrenchLiterature #FrenchAllAroundUs #SpeakingTheWorld #JeuxDeFLE #TaniaCzajka #MariePierreSerra #ToscaneLandrea #LivresBilingues #Éducation #Culture

📘 Myths and Facts About Multilingualism
🔬 Bilingualism Matters Series
📚 Edited by Julie Franck, Federico Faloppa, and Theodoros Marinis

What do we really know about multilingualism?
Drawing on groundbreaking research from the European Union’s MultiMind project, this volume brings together leading scholars from 14 countries to critically examine the most persistent myths surrounding multilingualism—and to replace them with insights grounded in contemporary science.

With interdisciplinary contributions spanning linguistics, neuroscience, psychology, education, and therapy, this work addresses key themes such as:

• The cognitive and neural benefits of multilingualism

• Vocabulary depth and perception in multilingual children

• The impact of home languages in educational settings

• Language development in children with developmental disorders

• The transformative power of multilingualism in psychotherapy

Through robust empirical evidence and compelling case studies, the book challenges outdated assumptions and presents multilingualism as a dynamic force shaping cognition, communication, and society at large.

📣 Endorsements

“A profound testament to the intricacies of the human mind and our linguistic capacities... a beacon of enlightenment in the ever-evolving field of multilingual studies.”
— Dr. Fabrice Jaumont, author of The Bilingual Revolution

“An invaluable resource... reshaping our understanding and appreciation of the powers of multiple languages.”
— Dr. Jane Flatau Ross, author of Two Centuries of Bilingual Education in New York

🔗 Learn more and order here: https://calec.org/product/myths-and-facts-about-multilingualism/

#Multilingualism #BilingualEducation #LanguagePolicy #Linguistics #Neuroscience #EducationResearch #Psycholinguistics #Multimind #CALEC #BilingualismMatters

The Center for the Advancement of Languages, Education, and Communities invites submissions for a groundbreaking volume, edited by Sophie Othman and Fabrice Jaumont. This publication will explore how AI is transforming bilingual education, empowering educators, parents, and policymakers while addressing critical challenges like bias, equity, and privacy.

🔎 Topics include:

AI tools for bilingual classrooms

Supporting parents in fostering bilingualism

Ethical concerns and solutions in AI for education

Innovations in language learning

📅 Key Dates:

Abstract Deadline: March 15, 2025

Full Manuscript Deadline: August 15, 2025

📥 Submit your abstracts to: editors-ai@calec.org

Join us in shaping the future of education through AI and bilingualism. Your insights could make a global impact!

More details here: Read the full call: https://calec.org/2024/12/07/language-unbound-harnessing-artificial-intelligence-in-bilingual-education/

#BilingualEducation #AI #EdTech #LanguageLearning

This interactive reading program provides a curated selection of multilingual books, engaging activities, and expert resources to help young readers develop fluency in two languages while fostering a lifelong love of reading. Whether you're a parent, educator, or language enthusiast, Read in 2 Languages makes bilingual reading accessible and fun!

🌟 Try it for FREE with code: calec25 🌟

Get started today and empower young readers with the gift of bilingualism.

🔗 Learn more and sign up here: https://calec.org/read-in-2-languages/

#BilingualReading #ReadIn2Languages #LanguageLearning #Biliteracy #CALEC

We are thrilled to introduce the 2025 TBR BOOKS and CALEC Éditions catalog, now available in English, French, and Spanish! With over 250 books, we continue our mission of fostering bilingualism, education, and cultural awareness through a diverse selection of publications.

Our catalog features works from leading researchers and practitioners who engage communities on topics related to language learning, multilingual education, and cultural history. In addition, we offer a rich collection of multilingual children’s books, designed to inspire a love of reading while promoting biliteracy and cultural competence.

Whether you’re an educator, researcher, parent, or simply a book lover passionate about languages and cultures, our 2025 catalog has something for you.

📖 Explore the catalog here: https://calec.org/catalog/

Join us in empowering readers worldwide—one book at a time!