Idioma’s team, including Mellissia Walles, Elisa Kirschhoffer, and Sandy Capano, visited Western Caribbean ports, including Cozumel, where they explored San Gervasio, a Mayan site honoring Ixchel, the goddess of fertility. The experience inspired their mission to blend language education with cultural understanding, emphasizing the resilience of Mayan culture. They encourage teachers to incorporate authentic cultural experiences into lessons and promote travel to deepen empathy and global awareness.

The ACTFL 2024 Convention in Philadelphia brought together thousands of language educators for over 800 sessions on topics like intercultural competence, equity, and humor in teaching. The theme, “Connect for the Love of Languages,” emphasized the unifying power of language education. Idioma was proud to exhibit and support our world language teaching community, including our students, colleagues, partner organizations and associations.

Idioma Education & Consulting is a leader in world language teacher education, specializing in flexible, relevant, and accessible professional development for language educators. With a focus on world language instruction, strategic partnerships, and expert-led courses, Idioma offers programs from PD hours to Master's degrees, emphasizing practical application and personalized solutions. Partnerships with organizations like the Goethe-Institut ensure alignment with educational trends, while affordable options and innovative programs, such as Seal of Biliteracy assessments, make Idioma a top choice for advancing language teaching skills.

Idioma Education & Consulting offers a fully online, DESE-approved SEI Teacher Endorsement Course for Massachusetts educators. Designed for flexibility, it covers second language acquisition, academic language development, and ELL teaching strategies. Led by expert instructors, the course includes practical applications, collaborative learning, and ongoing support. Affordable and PDP-eligible, it fulfills a critical state requirement, enhancing educators' ability to support ELLs effectively.

Idioma Education & Consulting’s Alternate Route Licensure Program provides an accessible pathway for bachelor’s degree holders in New Jersey to become certified world language teachers. The fully online program, approved by the NJ Department of Education, includes flexible coursework, dual mentorship, and targeted courses on modern teaching methods, social justice, and assessment. With payment flexibility and a comprehensive support system, Idioma prepares new educators to effectively teach diverse classrooms across New Jersey.

Idioma Education & Consulting offers tailored Seal of Biliteracy assessments for students proficient in less commonly taught languages, providing an equitable path for showcasing bilingualism or multilingualism. As leaders in the Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy initiative, Idioma created resources, videos, and learning modules to help schools implement the award. Our assessments evaluate language proficiency across listening, speaking, reading, and writing based on NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do Statements. With expert raters and a streamlined process, districts can easily assess students in languages like Slovak, Luganda, Nepali, and more. Learn more at idiomaconsulting.com/seal-of-biliteracy-assessments.

On October 5, 2024 Idioma's president and founder Mellissia Walles participated in the AATSP Virtual Programs Fair. Learn more about the event and Mellissia's contributions in this blog post!

Cell phones are a major distraction in classrooms, negatively impacting student focus, retention, and behavior. Without a consistent school-wide policy, teachers face challenges in managing disruptions, leading to confusion, inequitable environments, and burnout. A unified policy ensures fair rules, supports teachers, and fosters responsible phone use, with input from students and parents.

Idioma Education & Consulting provides flexible, online professional development and graduate-level courses for world language teachers, focusing on the 18 graduate credits needed for dual credit certification. Their diverse course offerings, in partnership with Colorado State University Pueblo, enable teachers to enhance skills, advance careers, and meet dual credit requirements while teaching high school.

For teachers navigating the maze of licensure requirements and professional development in Massachusetts, Adrienne D'Agostino knows the struggle all too well. Now in her 12th year of teaching, Adrienne found herself on a tireless quest to find courses that fit her schedule and helped her transition from her initial to professional license. That’s when she discovered us at Idioma—programming that not only fulfilled her licensure needs but also made professional development genuinely enjoyable. Since 2020, she’s been a dedicated student of Idioma’s online graduate-level courses for world language teachers, and it’s been a game-changer for her teaching journey. From insightful Italian courses to a support team that goes above and beyond, Adrienne generously shared with us why Idioma has made all the difference.

Mellissia Walles, founder of Idioma Education & Consulting, has transformed professional development for world language educators. Drawing on her experience as a language teacher, Walles created a flexible platform offering high-quality online courses in various languages. Under her leadership, Idioma has formed key partnerships and built a supportive educator community. Walles' commitment to accessible, innovative learning has significantly impacted language education worldwide.

Idioma Education & Consulting offers in-person workshops for world language teachers, providing hands-on, collaborative learning experiences that complement its online courses. These workshops cover diverse topics such as innovative teaching methods, technology integration, and cultural competence. Led by expert educators, participants engage in interactive activities, apply new techniques, and receive feedback. Workshops are customized to meet specific departmental needs, fostering professional growth, networking, and the application of current research and trends.

In 2022, the Goethe-Institut USA and Idioma Education & Consulting founded a partnership to support the development of new and established German language teachers in the US. Through this partnership, teachers can continue to attend free high-quality workshops and low-cost premier training courses from the Goethe-Institut with the additional opportunity to earn professional development hours or graduate-level credit for salary advancement, recertification, a graduate-level certificate, or M.Ed. through Idioma Education.

Watch the replay of Maureen Lamb's webinar, "Surviving the App-ocalypse: Alternatives to Flip and Jamboard" and grab 25 low-stakes, low-to-no-prep communicative activities to get your students speaking in the target language everyday.

Idioma Education & Consulting offers flexible online professional development courses for world language teachers, accommodating their busy schedules. The asynchronous course structure allows educators to learn at their own pace, fitting study around classroom responsibilities and personal commitments. With accessible content available anywhere with an internet connection, teachers can conveniently learn from home or on the go. The course material is organized into manageable modules, enhancing retention and allowing for easy integration into daily routines. User-friendly, mobile-compatible platforms, practical assessments, and expert support further enhance Idioma's approach, making professional growth more attainable and effective for educators.

Idioma Education & Consulting, LLC is a leader in world language teacher education, offering innovative programs such as graduate-level credits, licensure, and specialized workshops. With a focus on advanced teaching methods, assessment strategies, and technology integration, Idioma equips educators to thrive. Partnerships with institutions like the Goethe-Institut and AATSP enhance program quality. Idioma’s flexible online format ensures accessibility, while fostering a collaborative community that supports professional growth.

Montclair State University graduate and Idioma NJ Alternate Route Certificate of Eligibility candidate Liréna Engelsbel was selected to attend the annual two-week Sommerakademie for teacher training, networking, and cultural exploration in Dresden in June 2024, fully funded by the Goethe-Institut.

On May 2, 2024, Idioma Education & Consulting celebrated the 25th anniversary of C.A.S.It. (Centro Attività Scolastiche Italiane) at Real Italian Gusto in Medford, MA. The event, in collaboration with the Italian Consulate of Boston, highlighted C.A.S.It.'s dedication to promoting Italian language and culture. The event recognized the growth of Italian studies in the area and honored teachers and administrative guests. C.A.S.It.'s support has been crucial in fostering Italian programs, enriching understanding, and supporting Italian language teachers. The anniversary event symbolized a commitment to continue promoting language and culture in the future. Idioma Education & Consulting and their partners provide valuable resources and support for those interested in Italian culture and language programs.

Mellissia Walles, Founder of Idioma Education & Consulting, recently spoke at Andover High School, stressing the value of learning a second language. She highlighted its importance in a global economy, citing career opportunities and cognitive benefits. Walles emphasized the need to understand cultural nuances for effective communication and encouraged language learning for personal growth and networking. Her presentation resonated with students, inspiring many to pursue or continue language studies for both professional and personal enrichment.

Idioma partners with the American Association of Teachers of Italian to bring AATI members exclusive membership benefits.