How Can You Get Involved in Language Learning and Education Policy Advocacy in the U.S.?

You can get involved in U.S. language education policy advocacy through organizations like JNCL-NCLIS (the Joint National Committee for Languages and the National Council for Languages and International Studies), which describes its mission as ensuring "that Americans have the opportunity to learn English and at least one other language." Practical entry points include joining as a member or sustaining member, attending the annual Language Advocacy Days, participating in the Student Advocacy Academy, and contacting members of Congress about federal programs that fund language education. The sections below explain what the current policy fights are about and how each channel works.

What JNCL-NCLIS actually does

JNCL-NCLIS is a policy and advocacy organization rather than a language school or course provider. Its stated vision is a world where "the language enterprise facilitates the free movement [of] information and ideas; builds mutual understanding and acceptance of culture and language; and promotes the personal development of the individual."

Its work falls into two broad categories:

• Policy advocacy in Washington — tracking and responding to federal legislation and executive actions that affect language education funding and programs.
• Member mobilization — coordinating member organizations, hosting events, and training individual advocates, including students.

If your goal is to influence policy rather than simply study a language, this is the type of organization to engage with.

The policy issues you would be advocating on

The organization's newsroom highlights the specific federal programs currently in play. These are the concrete topics an advocate would speak to:

For an advocate, these items translate into specific asks: contact your representative and senators about Title VI, Fulbright-Hays, and Fulbright funding; support world language grants like WLARA; and push back on rescissions or regulatory rollbacks that reduce language education funding.

Ways to participate

1. Attend Language Advocacy Days

JNCL-NCLIS describes Language Advocacy Days as its annual advocacy event. This is the flagship way for individuals to take part: advocates gather, learn about the current policy landscape, and make the case to Congress. The organization's own framing of why this matters comes from member Noah Geisel: "If we don't tell our stories to Congress, who will?"

What to expect: a scheduled event where you receive policy briefings and then communicate directly with legislators or their staff. Check the organization's events page for the next dates and registration.

2. Join the Student Advocacy Academy

The site features a Student Advocacy Academy video, indicating a dedicated track for students to learn how to advocate. This is the appropriate entry point if you are a student rather than a professional or organizational representative.

3. Become a member or sustaining member

Membership is the ongoing participation route. JNCL-NCLIS notes it "graciously counts on the continuing support of its sustaining member organizations," and the site includes a "Join Today!" call to action and a membership information section. Member organizations include a range of groups in the language enterprise.

Member testimonials on the site give a sense of the value members report:

• Meredith Clark: "JNCL is helping to reshape the bilingual future of our nation."
• Ying Jin: "JNCL helped me open the door. I see a bigger picture for my industry."

4. Follow the newsroom and act on alerts

The "THE LATEST NEWS" section functions as a running list of policy developments. Reading it regularly tells you when a vote, rescission, or funding decision is imminent — which is when contacting legislators has the most effect.

5. Contact your members of Congress

The recurring pattern across the news items — rescissions, spending bills, amendments — is that outcomes depend on congressional action. The practical action for an individual is to contact your representative and senators and state your support for Title VI, Fulbright-Hays, Fulbright, and world language funding.

How to decide where to start

• If you are a student: start with the Student Advocacy Academy, then attend Language Advocacy Days.
• If you belong to a language-related organization: explore sustaining membership so your organization is represented in coalition advocacy.
• If you are an individual with no organizational affiliation: follow the newsroom for alerts and contact your legislators directly on the issues listed above.
• If you want sustained involvement: membership plus recurring event participation, rather than a one-time action.

Common sticking points

• Assuming this is a course or learning platform. JNCL-NCLIS is an advocacy organization; it does not teach languages. If you want to learn a language, this is the wrong destination — if you want to shape the policies that fund language learning, it is the right one.
• Waiting for a perfect moment. The news items show that funding decisions move through specific votes and rescissions. Advocacy is most effective while those decisions are open.
• Going alone. The organization's model is coalition-based — member organizations and coordinated events. Joining an existing effort is more effective than acting individually.

To begin, review the current news items, check the events page for the next Language Advocacy Days, and use the membership or Student Advocacy Academy route that matches your situation.