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"We spoke...we all messed up, and that's how we learned". It is with this student testimony emphasizing the power of experiential learning and academic risk taking that the 2015 STARTALK Fall Conference began. STARTALK, a component of the National Security Language Initiative designed to expand the teaching and learning of strategic world languages, is in its tenth year and has much to celebrate. Since the initiative's inception in 2007, 55,873 students and teachers have received meaningful and functional world language training. The life-changing nature of this training is highlighted by the fact that in at least one former student returned in 2015 as a teacher, assistant, or tutor in 51 percent of programs.

One technological tool that is implemented across STARTALK programs is STARTALK LinguaFolio Online, an online skills portfolio for language learners developed by the Center for Applied Second Language Studies with collaboration and funding from National Foreign Language Center. In order to directly address the specialized needs of STARTALK programs, STARTALK LinguaFolio Online is implemented every summer in STARTALK's intensive language programs. Stephanie Knight, CASLS' Language Technology Specialist was on hand to showcase STARTALK Linguafolio Online and provide additional support and guidance to users at the STARTALK and NFLC Product Showcase. "LinguaFolio Online in STARTALK Programs: Making It Work for You," a breakout session led by Dr. Aleidine Moeller of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Dr. Julie Sykes, Director of CASLS, highlighted the potential of LinguaFolio Online to serve as a practical tool in the implementation of best practices as they relate to student production of evidence towards language learning goals, student and educator reflection regarding those goals, and assessment.

For more information about LinguaFolio Online, please access LinguaFolio Network at lfonetwork.uoregon.edu.