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Last Monday, the American Council of the Teaching of Foreign Languages has released a statement reiterating its commitment to linguistic and cultural diversity. Here is the text of the statement:

“In response to the growing concerns of our members, the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) reiterates its strong commitment to linguistic and cultural diversity as qualities that must be embraced in the U.S. and throughout the world. We stand with the entire language education community in underscoring our key values of collaboration, honoring multiple perspectives, and a free and open exchange of ideas.

“ACTFL is dedicated to the improvement and expansion of the teaching and learning of all languages at all levels of instruction. Our core mission is to use language to promote intercultural understanding. As such, we support all members of the language education community—members of all races, religions, and countries of origin.

“We oppose any effort to limit the exchange of students and educators to and from U.S. schools and universities; this would inhibit the collaborative sharing of ideas, scholarship and research, and otherwise impede international education and study abroad efforts. We support the safe and respectful learning environments established by our members that welcome all students and treat them fairly and with sensitivity.

“We respect and encourage those who speak up and take a stand against any actions that may jeopardize our liberties, undermine freedom of the press, or minimize the right to speak out and be heard in a civil manner. These have always been the hallmark of a democratic society.”

See the statement on ACTFL’s website at https://www.actfl.org/news/press-releases/actfl%E2%80%99s-executive-committee-pledges-commitment-linguistic-cultural-and-religious-diversity