Learning Blog

I received this e-mail today and thought that some of the folks who have attended my presentations on Global Collaboration might find it interesting:

American Councils continues to be privileged to administer the Teachers of Critical Languages Program of the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.  We are pleased to announce that applications to host Chinese or Arabic exchange teachers during the 2008-2009 school year are available and can be downloaded from either [ http://www.americancouncils.org/ ]www.americancouncils.org or [ http://www.tclprogram.org/ ]www.tclprogram.org.

TCLP is a great program that looks to build US schools’ capacities to offer Chinese and Arabic programs as these languages are indeed critically important for both the current and future generation.  Moreover, both China and the Middle East have rich, vibrant, and deep cultures and histories, and our students can learn a great deal from them.  Reciprocally, our exchange teachers can learn a great deal about American culture while improving their English and gaining experience in teaching methodologies.  All said, it’s a great cross-cultural program that really does benefit all parties involved.

From a school’s perspective, the program provides many benefits, as well as numerous opportunities.  Please find them listed below, forward as you feel best, and, of course, feel free to contact me directly with whatever questions you may have:
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American Councils provides exchange teachers’ monthly salaries ($28,000), health care, round-trip airfare, visa support, and ongoing on-program support including in-person site visits

•    American Councils provides exchange teachers with two-weeks of integrated, scaffolded, and focused methodological and cultural training in DC before the school year begins; a four-day professional development workshop in November; and access to a professional development fund for exchange teachers to acquire training, textbooks, or materials as are relevant to their situations

•    American Councils provides host schools’ participation in a weekend sub-conference within their teachers’ Washington DC training.  Additionally, mentor teachers who support exchange teachers’ professional needs and cultural adjustment receive a monthly honorarium from American Councils

•    TCLP includes alumni grant opportunities for exchange teachers and host schools when they “graduate” from the program in June 2009 so that continued collaboration, cross-cultural exchange, and classroom partnerships can be supported

•    US elementary or secondary schools, both public and private, may apply

•    Applications are welcomed from schools with existing, developing, or planned programs

•    Applications are due May 16, 2008.  Awards and regrets will be sent by the end of May

Best Regards,
Ben Dunbar

Ben Dunbar
Senior Program Officer
Teacher Programs
American Councils for International Education
(202) 833-7522 / (202) 833-7523 (f)
[ http://www.americancouncils.org/ ]www.americancouncils.org