On September 18, 2025, two significant developments in the world of language education and learning converged, underscoring both the innovation driving digital platforms and the enduring impact of dedicated educators. As Babbel unveiled a limited-time lifetime subscription offer, granting learners unlimited access to 14 languages for a one-time fee, the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) simultaneously announced its 2025 Professional Awards recipients, honoring those who have shaped the future of language instruction across the United States.
Babbel’s announcement, published on September 18, 2025, comes as a breath of fresh air for anyone frustrated by recurring language app fees. For just $159—less than the cost of a single college textbook—learners can secure lifetime access to an impressive suite of language tools, provided they use the promo code LEARN before October 2. From Spanish and French to German and beyond, Babbel’s platform supports 14 languages, catering to a global community of aspiring polyglots.
What sets Babbel apart isn’t just the breadth of languages on offer, but the depth and quality of its approach. According to the company, lessons last just 10 to 15 minutes, making it easy to squeeze learning into even the busiest schedules. These aren’t mere flashcards; Babbel’s curriculum is designed for real-life conversation, a key distinction for anyone hoping to actually use their new language in the wild. The platform’s development team includes more than 100 linguists, and its methods are backed by research from top universities, lending an academic rigor that’s sometimes lacking in the crowded language app market.
The features are robust: an AI conversation partner and advanced speech recognition help users practice pronunciation (no more mumbling through vocabulary lists), while personalized review sessions reinforce progress and help knowledge stick. For those always on the move, Babbel offers offline mode, so lessons continue even when Wi-Fi drops out—on planes, trains, or anywhere else. Add in seamless cross-device sync between desktop and mobile, and it’s clear why Babbel boasts a rating of over 4.5 stars on both Google Play and the App Store, with millions of satisfied users worldwide.
But why the push for lifetime access now? As Babbel puts it, "Why keep paying month after month for language apps when you can get lifetime access for less than the cost of a single college textbook?" It’s a compelling pitch, especially as more learners look for flexible, affordable ways to pick up new skills in a rapidly changing world.
While Babbel’s announcement highlights the technological side of language learning, ACTFL’s 2025 Professional Awards shine a spotlight on the human element—the teachers, researchers, and innovators who make language education possible in schools and universities across the country. The awards, also announced on September 18, 2025, will be presented at the ACTFL Annual Convention & World Languages Expo in New Orleans on November 21. This annual event is a major gathering for the language education community, where achievements are celebrated and new ideas are exchanged.
The list of honorees reads like a who’s who of language education. J. Ryan Allen from Delmar School District in Delaware will receive the Leo Benardo Award for Innovation in K-12 Language Education, recognizing creative approaches that inspire young learners. Elizabeth Dubberly of the University of Georgia and Clarke County School District is being honored for her doctoral dissertation, "Creando con Ciencia: Creative Entanglements in the DLI Spanish Science Classroom," underscoring the growing importance of interdisciplinary and dual-language instruction.
Carl Blyth from the University of Texas at Austin will take home the Nelson Brooks Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Culture, while Chantal Esquivias Argelaguet from Olympus High School in Utah is recognized for her work promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the classroom. The Klett Award for Sustainable Development Education in the World Language Classroom will be shared among Shaoyuen Carol Chen-Lin of Choate Rosemary Hall, Yan Liu of Duke University, and Larissa Giacoman (accepting for Ciuda la Tierra) from St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School in Virginia. This reflects a growing awareness of the connection between language learning and global citizenship.
Other honorees include Teresa Bell from Brigham Young University, recognized for excellence in teacher education; Erin Fell of LANGuistics, whose research into foreign language education in Louisiana earned her the Paul Pimsleur Award; Fernando Rubio of Yale University and Lori Langer de Ramirez from The Dalton School, both celebrated for their leadership in world language education at the postsecondary and K-12 levels, respectively. Technology, too, is acknowledged, with Yeider Guerra from Rock Hill High School and Stacey Weber-Fève from Iowa State University winning awards for their innovative use of technology in instruction.
The Melba D. Woodruff Award for Exemplary Elementary World Language Program goes to Duff Language Magnet Academy in California, accepted by Principal Valerie Sun. The ceremony will feature remarks from ACTFL Past-President L.J. Randolph, Jr., and include the presentation of the Public Service Award for World Language and Cultural Advocacy, as well as acknowledgments for the 2025 Research Priorities Grants recipients and Foreign Language Annals Super Reviewers. Kei Tsukamaki, the 2025 National Language Teacher of the Year, will also address attendees, adding further inspiration to the proceedings.
Founded in 1967, ACTFL has long provided vision, leadership, and support for quality teaching and learning of languages. As the organization noted, it serves educators and administrators from elementary through graduate education, as well as those in government and industry. Its annual awards program is a testament to the critical role that educators play—not just in teaching grammar and vocabulary, but in fostering cross-cultural understanding and preparing students for a globalized world.
For those inspired by these achievements, ACTFL’s call for nominations—including self-nominations—will reopen in Spring 2026, encouraging a new cohort of educators and researchers to step forward and share their contributions.
Taken together, Babbel’s lifetime subscription offer and ACTFL’s celebration of language education excellence illustrate the dynamic landscape of language learning in 2025. Technology and tradition aren’t at odds here; instead, they complement each other, offering learners and educators alike new tools, fresh inspiration, and the promise of a more connected world—one conversation at a time.
