John De Mado is a vocal advocate for language acquisition in the United States and abroad. Beginning his foreign language studies in high school, Mr. De Mado attended Montclair University in Upper Montclair, NJ. There, he received his BA and teaching certification. During that time, John was selected to participate in an immersion experience in Grenoble, France sponsored by Princeton University. He began his French and Spanish teaching career in the state of New Jersey, simultaneously completing his MA degree in French language and literature at Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT. His degree was funded in part by the French government. Mr. De Mado then undertook his second French and Spanish teaching assignment in Connecticut. He also served on his local Board of Education, spearheading a successful campaign to implement a K-5, content-related Spanish program. After several years of classroom experience in both public and independent schools, John began his career in educational publishing, serving as Senior National Consultant for Foreign Languages and ESL, Foreign Language Marketing Manager and Editorial Director for Foreign Languages.

Mr. De Mado has authored several text book programs in Spanish, French and ESL as well as composed and recorded a series of instructional French and Spanish rap CD/DVDs entitled La Boutique Magique, Une Boum Cool, ¡Festejemos!, and ¡Somos Campeones!, respectively. Each features original raps designed to transmit specific linguistic functions and related vocabulary, structure and syntax. In early 2018, John's latest professional development book for language educators, entitled In Search of Language: Enhancing Language Acquisition in the Classroom made its successful debut.

Mr. De Mado directs John De Mado Language Seminars, LLC, a full-service consulting firm focusing exclusively on language acquisition. John has consulted to the US Department of Defense Schools in Europe and conducted workshops throughout the United States as well as abroad. A member of several national, regional and state language organizations, John is best known for his motivational keynotes, provocative conference sessions and insightful professional and staff development workshops. You may visit John’s website at www.demado-seminars.com for further information regarding services and products.

Registration for our LOTE: Foreign Language Educators’ Institute is currently open!

February 27, 2019 - Session Number 53982

General Fee: $125

ESC, Region 20 Bilingual/ESL Cooperative Member Fee: $100

ESC, Region 20 LOTE Coordinators’ Fee: $0

Lead Presenter Fee: $0

Register in CONNECT20!

The Planning Committee for the 2018 LOTE: Foreign Language Educators’ Institute invites you to share your LOTE expertise in program development and/or classroom instruction with your colleagues at this year's institute. The committee is particularly interested in classroom teachers and leadership (new and veteran) sharing their instructional best practices with Institute’s attendees. We encourage you to believe in the power of your practices and share with visiting educators the possibilities of Building the Foundation for Language Proficiency and Beyond!

All lead presenters will be able to attend the conference at a $0 fee. You will need to register in the CONNECT20 system. A code will be sent to you after all proposals have been selected. You will be able to register at that time.

The first annual LOTE: Foreign Language Educators’ Institute will take place at the Fred E. Maples Conference Center at Education Service Center, Region 20 in San Antonio, Texas on February 27, 2019.

Proposals should:

• Directly link to the conference theme, Building the Foundation for Language Proficiency and Beyond!
• Specifically address Foreign Language Educators & Students, World Language Educators, ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines, Technology, Heritage Speakers, Building Proficiency and/or Advanced Placement Instruction
• Include a description of the presentation (revised before submitting)
• Have a duration of 60 minutes
• Respond to a need or interest of classroom teachers, administrators, parents and/or community
• Consist of hands-on activities, lecture, demonstration, and/or discussion

**Note: Please give credit to the resources being used in your presentation.**

Your assistance is greatly appreciated. We are excited to have you provide your valuable insight and expertise to our regional and state educators of all foreign language learners.

Timeline for Selection:

• Notice of approved sessions will be sent out via email to the email addresses submitted in the proposal no later than January 11, 2019.
• See registration information on the registration tab.

Deadline to submit is November 30, 2018. Submissions after the deadline will be considered on a space-available basis but may not appear in the conference program or promotional materials.

Proposal Submission Form

2018-2019 LOTE Teacher of the Year

Jerry Romero, San Antonio ISD

Tafolla Middle School

The LOTE: Foreign Language Educators’ Institute offers the opportunity to showcase your latest products, publications, software, and teaching tools to more than 100 educators, researchers and practitioners supporting Foreign Language programs across the state of Texas. We cordially invite your organization to consider participating as an exhibitor at our 1st annual LOTE: Foreign Language Educators’ Institute in San Antonio, Texas.

You may submit your registration through February 1, 2018. We appreciate your support of this 1st annual LOTE Institute.

Exhibitor booth fee: $100
The fee includes the following benefits and services for exhibitors:

• One 8’ table
• Two exhibitor badges
• Two chairs
• Security during closed hours
• Hospitality Suite and lunch

Exhibitor Form