Improving communication through better understanding of language and culture

Timeline

Click on the green arrow icon to learn more about the selected landmark events and how they were influential in shaping CAL.

Links in lime color below lead to external sites containing additional information on many of the historical topics below.

CAL Events	Date	U.S. and World Events
Developing English Literacy in Spanish Speakers (DeLSS) research begins African American Vernacular English (AAVE) SIOP Model Professional Development Manual published	2000	Oakland Ebonics controversy National Reading Panel convened U.S. foreign-born population reaches 31.1 million; 47 million people age 5 and over speak a language other than English at home. Proposition 203 passed in Arizona
	2001	September 11 Attacks on America Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment released
National Conference for Educators of Newcomer Students	2002	No Child Left Behind Act enacted
BEST Plus launched Alliance for the Advancement of Heritage Languages established WIDA Consortium established	2003	National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL) is conducted; highlights English language learner performance for the first time
Center for Adult English Language Acquisition (CAELA) established	2004
Do You Speak American? PBS series Literacy and Language Diversity in the United States –second edition	2005	K-16 Language Flagship program launched
English for Heritage Language Speakers (EHLS) program created National Literacy Panel on Language Minority Children and Youth report released BEST Literacy launched Double the Work: Challenges and Solutions to Acquiring Language and Academic Literacy for Adolescent English Language Learners	2006	National Security Language Initiative launched U.S. foreign-born population reaches 37.5 million, or 12.5 % of the total population NATO creates Standard Language Profile tests for member nations TESOL organization has 14,306 members in 156 countries
CAELA Network begins First National K-12 foreign language survey conducted.	2007	Discover Languages Initiative launched by ACTFL
	2008	TESOL organization has 14,306 members in 156 countries National Museum of Languages opens
CAL celebrates 50th birthday	2009

Learn more about CAL's history throughout the decades: