Washington Association for Language Teaching

2026 Deadline: May 15th

Annual Awards

If you would like to nominate someone (or yourself) for one of the WAFLT awards listed below, please use the nomination form button below or contact WAFLT at wafltboard@gmail.com

Deadline for all awards is May 15th

Nomination Form

Past WAFLT Award Recipients

WAFLT TEACHER OF THE YEAR

This award is a recognition given to members (K-16 educators) who have a proven track record of:

1. Promoting recognition of the importance language study within and beyond the school community and/or educational institution.
2. Displaying innovative approaches and modeling creativity in the teaching of world languages, including sharing, networking and mentoring of colleagues.
3. Promoting excellence and inspiring students.
4. Creating a superior program for his/her department.
5. Striving to promote greater cultural awareness, intercultural understanding, and the celebration of diversity within the classroom and school communities.

Candidate qualifications

1. Candidate must be a current WAFLT member and a current language teacher. See below.
2. Per ACTFL: Successful candidates must be full-time language educators who spend at least fifty-percent (50%) of their time in direct teaching during the year of application with an expectation of teaching during the next two (2) years.
3. This award recipient will also be WAFLT's candidate for the PNCFL Teacher of the Year. The ultimate recipient of PNCFL's award will be the regional representative for the ACTFL Teacher of the Year.

PRO LINGUA AWARD

This award, WAFLT's most prestigious, was inaugurated in 1973. It has been awarded to distinguished world language educators from the elementary to college levels. It has also been awarded to individuals outside our profession, for example, from the world of journalism, business and government. The Pro Lingua Award recognizes individuals or organizations which have made outstanding contributions:

1. In promoting intercultural and international understanding;
2. To the teaching of world languages and to the development and implementation of learning theories;
3. In creating community interest in and awareness of the importance of world language education.

INSPIRATIONAL LEADERSHIP AWARD

This certificate is presented to a person or persons selected by the WAFLT board who has demonstrated leadership and inspiration to others in the world language fields. This certificate recognizes important contributions in promoting, organizing, supporting, defending, lobbying, or planning some important aspect of study of world languages and/or cultures.

PUBLIC AWARENESS AWARD

This certificate is given to a person or persons who conducted activities or staged events which garnered publicity and created public awareness for the study of foreign languages. Highly recognized world language fairs, community speakers' bureaus, radio and television ads, media stories concerning school programs, and other events aimed at increasing the exposure of second language study to the general populace are examples of the types of activities which the recipient of this award has initiated.

CREATIVE INNOVATION AWARD

This certificate is presented to a person or persons who developed and used innovative methods of teaching in the world language classroom. This could include creative means for teaching second language conversation, inventive ideas for instructing students in culture and multi-cultural awareness, or new and effective methods for developing second language reading and writing skills. Nominee MUST be a WAFLT member.

CONTINUED DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CERTIFICATE

This certificate is presented to a person or persons whose contributions to the world language profession have been unflagging and have enjoyed widespread impact. Creating, writing, and/or editing of world language publications; organizational work and service with special projects; help with letter-writing campaigns, leadership in running regional and state conferences, and energetic support of WAFLT activities in general over a period of years are activities this certificate endeavors to recognize.

STUDENT EXCEL SCHOLARSHIPS

The Washington Association for Language Teaching offers up to three $1,000.00 scholarships each year to Washington residents taking advanced world language courses at the university level. Visit our page on Student Scholarships here. 

WAFLT congratulates all of our previous award recipients - See our list at the link below!

Past WAFLT Award Recipients