Learn Languages, Explore Cultures, Transform Lives. Selected Papers from the 2015 Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages

The 2015 Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (CSCTFL) was held in Minneapolis, Minnesota together with the Minnesota Council on the Teaching of Languages and Cultures, who served as local host. This year's theme underscores the transformative nature of learning a foreign language. As language teachers we have a great responsibility to provide our students with opportunities to learn and explore languages and cultures in ways that foster intercultural communicative competence. The 2015 conference highlighted strategies, practices, and approaches that world language educators can use to help students develop the attitudes, skills, and knowledge necessary to interact with others in our global community. The CSCTFL 2015 conference featured 35 workshops and more than 200 sessions. Nine of the 16 Central States were represented by "Best of" sessions. 21 sessions from the 2014 conference were presented again at the 2015 conference as "All-Stars." The session and workshop topics represented at the 2015 conference included technology in the classroom, intercultural competence, assessment, advocacy, best practices, and the use of literature, art, and music in language classes. The authors whose articles are included in the 2015 CSCTFL "Report" addressed the 2015 conference theme, "Learn Languages Explore Cultures Transform Lives" by focusing on those elements that transform foreign language teaching and learning. The articles provide the reader with innovative ideas and approaches for world language instruction that will assist teachers in transforming their classrooms to meet the needs of the 21st century learners.