Washington D.C
In-Person Event March 9 & 10 !
Theme: From Every State. For Every Student.
Join language advocates from across the country in Washington, D.C. for two inspiring days of connection, action, and impact. At Language Advocacy Days 2026, voices from every state come together with one mission—to ensure every student in America has access to high-quality language education. Be part of the movement shaping our nation’s multilingual future and make your voice heard on Capitol Hill!
Hotel Reservations - Room Blocks
Residence Inn Washington DC Downtown
Language Advocacy Days 2026
From Every State for Every Student
From Every State for Every Student is more than our theme—it’s our mission. In 2026, advocates from across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and U.S. territories will come together to speak with one powerful voice for the future of language education in our nation. This year’s Language Advocacy Days (LAD) will unite educators, students, business leaders, researchers, and community advocates to ensure that language learning is recognized and protected as a fundamental right and an essential element of every student’s education.
Why Language Education Matters for Every Student
Language learning is not a luxury—it’s a necessity for our collective future. It builds career readiness, problem-solving ability, and cognitive flexibility, while strengthening our nation’s security and global competitiveness. From the classroom to the boardroom to the diplomatic table, multilingualism connects communities, drives innovation, and opens pathways to opportunity. Ensuring access to language education for all students—no matter where they live—is essential to preparing our next generation of leaders, thinkers, and global citizens.
From Local to Federal: Advocating in Every State
Every state has a story to tell. Across the nation, language programs are being expanded, reimagined, or—too often—cut entirely. At LAD 2026, advocates will harness these state-level experiences to inform and influence federal policymakers. Each conversation with a legislator becomes a chance to show how local policies and programs impact students, teachers, and communities back home. By sharing success stories and highlighting the consequences of underfunding or neglect, advocates can make clear to Congress that supporting language education is not optional—it’s essential.
Amplifying the Voices of Students: K–20 Advocacy in Action
At the heart of this year’s event are the voices of our students—from elementary through higher education—who will share their experiences and aspirations. Their stories will remind policymakers that learning languages is more than a subject in school; it’s a bridge to understanding others and unlocking potential. These young advocates will stand beside educators and professionals to demand a future where every student has access to language learning as a core part of their education.
Who Should Attend
Business and HR Leaders
How do multilingual professionals drive innovation, strengthen global partnerships, and improve your company’s bottom line?
Language learning builds a workforce ready to compete in an interconnected global economy. Business leaders play a vital role in showing legislators that language skills are not a luxury—they’re a strategic advantage.
Students (K–20)
What could your education—and your future—look like if every student in America had access to language learning from the start?
Students’ voices illustrate how languages shape empathy, opportunity, and connection. By sharing your stories, you show policymakers what’s at stake when these opportunities are limited.
Educators and Educational Leaders
How would our schools and universities change if multilingualism were seen as a fundamental right, not an elective privilege?
Educators know firsthand how languages transform learning. Your advocacy helps Congress understand that supporting teachers and programs is essential to student success and national readiness.
Nonprofit Executives and Organizational Leaders
What could be achieved if every organization working for language access and global education spoke with one united voice?
Your leadership and coalition-building amplify the message that multilingualism is central to equity, diplomacy, and workforce development.
Community and Cultural Leaders
How does preserving and promoting languages strengthen our communities and our national identity?
Your work keeps languages alive across generations. Sharing those stories helps policymakers see how language education sustains cultural heritage, civic unity, and belonging.
Parents and Caregivers
What kind of future do we want for our children if they can’t communicate beyond borders—or even across neighborhoods?
Parents understand that language learning expands minds and futures. Your voices remind legislators that every child deserves access to a world of understanding through language.
Join the Movement
Language Advocacy Days 2026 is your chance to be part of the national conversation that shapes the future of language education. Whether you’re an educator, student, business leader, or community advocate, your voice matters. Join us as we unite from every state for every student—to ensure that language learning remains a national priority and a cornerstone of America’s educational promise.
Together, we can preserve, protect, and expand language education for every student, in every community, across our nation.
