Lehrer aus der ganzen Welt zu Gast an der Hawaii Pacific University

Teachers From Around the World Learn at HPU

English teachers from Asia, Latin America and Russia hosted for an intercultural experience

This summer, teachers from around the world are experiencing cross-cultural learning at Hawai‘i Pacific University. HPU is hosting the 2009 English Language Teaching (ELT) Summer Institute, a three-week academic program from June 7-30, designed for English language teachers and sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. Last fall, the federal agency awarded a grant to HPU’s International Studies program to implement the project involving ELT material development and the Summer Institute. Dr. Carlos Juarez, chair of International Studies, is Principal Investigator for the grant.

“This year the group of 26 teachers are from Burma, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, and the Russian Federation,” said Dr. Sandra McKay, visiting professor of Applied Linguistics and Project Manager of the ELT grant. “Many of them teach in English language programs designed for at-risk young people.”

Regional English Language Officers from the U.S. State Department selected exemplary English teachers from their regions to participate in the program.

“The Institute is important in furthering best practices in the teaching of English. It is also an ideal way to promote a better image and understanding of American culture abroad,” McKay said.

Faculty in the HPU Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) program, including McKay, Jean Kirschenmann, Dr. Hanh Nguyen, Catherine Sajna and Dr. Ed Klein, designed the language teaching materials for at-risk young people. “One of the major purposes of the Summer Institute is for the international teachers to review the materials developed by the HPU faculty,” McKay explained.

The teachers are taking three weeks of classes at HPU, and then plan to travel to Washington, D.C. to meet State Department officials and take part in July 4th celebrations. Barbara Hannum, HPU coordinator of International Education Programs, coordinated many of the cultural excursions and co-curricular events the teachers enjoyed as part of their Hawai‘i experience.

Local musicians help produce learning materials
Dr. John Hart, professor of Communication at HPU, was production manager for two CDs designed for English language learners that were produced by the grant.

One CD designed for young children includes a collection of classic children’s songs, many sung by the Kapalama Elementary School Chorus. The other CD is for adolescent learners and includes classic American folk songs. The CDs were recorded by locally based recording artists and include six tracks by Grammy Award winner Daniel Ho, who also mastered the recording project.

Juarez said the institute is an important part of U.S. cultural diplomacy.

“The Summer Institute brings together individuals from various countries and religious backgrounds to provide a rich cross-cultural learning experience,” he said. “Of course, HPU and the State of Hawai‘i are locations in which diversity is commonplace, and are an ideal gathering place to foster mutual understanding and cross-cultural learning.”

Quelle: Hawaii Pacific University, Hawaii Pacific University News, 22.06.2009