The Teachers of Critical Languages Program (TCLP) exchange teachers were in Washington, D.C. for a 10-day orientation program designed to prepare them for a yearlong teaching experience in the U.S.
Ms. Kwan, a five-time figure skating world champion and previously a State Department Public Diplomacy Envoy, noted similarities between her experiences working with international student leaders, and the journey upon which the TCLP teachers were about to embark. She expressed her appreciation for the important work the international teachers would accomplish this year, encouraging them to “let this be a year that you inspire hundreds, thousands, because this is really a ripple effect of students”. American Councils' President Dan Davidson echoed Ms. Kwan’s words and warmly welcomed the teachers to the U.S on their first day in Washington, D.C.
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and administered by American Councils, the Teachers of Critical Languages Program (TCLP) is an academic exchange that seeks to strengthen Mandarin and Arabic language instruction in U.S. K-12 schools while providing foreign teachers with the opportunity to learn about U.S. teaching methodologies, culture, and society. This year’s 17 TCLP participants were chosen from more than 600 applicants through a merit-based selection process. The selection of U.S. host schools was also very competitive, with only one in four applying host schools being awarded an exchange teacher.
The welcome orientation was designed to help TCLP participants understand the nuances of the American education system, learn student-centered methods for effectively teaching their native languages, and observe master instructors working with American students. TCLP teachers finished their orientation with their own mini-lesson presentations, demonstrating new strategies that they were ready to implement in their U.S. classes.
On the last day of the orientation, representatives from each U.S. host school joined the group in D.C. to officially introduce themselves to the exchange teachers and to share more information about the upcoming school year in the individual school placements. Both the exchange teachers and their mentor teachers participated in workshops that focused on the importance of clear, cross-cultural communication, goal setting, and action planning for upcoming outreach presentations.
To follow the exchange teachers throughout the year, you can follow TCLP and American Councils on Twitter at @TCLProgram and @AC_Global.