Program Highlights

TCLP Newsletter, Issue 2

Ahmed Mohamed organized a teacher training workshop and disseminated ideas about language teaching best practices and American pedagogy with 30 Egyptian teachers of English in Etay El Baroud, Egypt.

Willmar High School’s mentor teacher, Todd Lynum, gave students their first real look at life in China by taking them on a field trip halfway across the world.

Teachers of Arabic as a foreign language descended on Baltimore, Maryland for a best practices workshop organized by TCLP mentor teacher alumnus Steven Berbeco.

In our second issue of the TCLP e-newsletter, read about how program participants and alumni closed out the program's sixth year.

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2011-2012 Program Factsheet

In their efforts to continually assess the impact of the Teachers of Critical Languages Program (TCLP) on U.S. K-12 language programs, American Councils staff distribute several surveys each year to exchange teachers, host school mentor teachers, and students of exchange teachers. Survey results paint a deeper and more nuanced picture of how TCLP builds the capacity of language programs, provides cutting-edge professional development to exchange teachers, and brings global perspectives into the lives of students.

In May 2012, TCLP staff distributed a survey for secondary school students of TCLP teachers (and parents of primary students). The survey was emailed to host school mentor teachers and administrators, who were then responsible for disseminating it to students and parents. In total, 261 students and 59 parents/guardians from 11 out of the 25 host schools completed the survey.

The survey results revealed significant gains by students in their Mandarin and Arabic language abilities. Read more for in-depth analysis and quotes from teachers, students, and parents.

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April 2012 TCLP Newsletter

The Teachers of Critical Languages Program Newsletter goes digital. Check out our first web-based program publication!

Ez Eldin Salem (‘10) develops a successful Critical Language Project that brings together American and Egyptian educators for intercontinental videoconferences.

Chinese TCLP alumni reunite at a national teaching competition in China.

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American Student Survey Says...

What do American students say about their TCLP experience?

“I love this class. Our teacher is very motivated, encouraging, and has a genuine love for teaching and wanting to better children’s knowledge of the world beyond the United States. I am very excited to be a part of this class.”

Why do students take Arabic and Chinese classes with TCLP teachers? Read more here to find out!

In May and September 2011, TCLP staff sent all current host schools a survey for distribution to students and parents of students who are being taught by TCLP Arabic and Chinese teachers. With more than 350 completed responses, the May 2011 survey revealed end-of-the-year improvements in cultural fluency after having a TCLP teacher and the September survey gave a glimpse into the motivation for students studying Arabic and Chinese. The September 2011 survey will also serve as a baseline for monitoring and evaluation purposes and will be compared with year-end survey data in May 2012.

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TCLP Arabic Highlights May 2011

Ahmed Mohamed implemented a critical language project to introduce Arabic language and culture to the local community.

Abla Rasslan Mohamed (above) volunteered as a tour guide in the Egyptian section of a local children’s museum.

Manal El Gamal taught her students in Wisconsin about the Egyptian springtime festival of Sham el-Nessim.

Highlights from the TCLP Arabic Teachers in May 2011.

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TCLP Chinese Highlights May 2011

Yao Xiaoning’s students in San Diego hosted a Chinese Night for the whole community where they performed songs and explained display boards they had created about their field trips to Chinatown.

Pan Jiling taught her students Tai Ji in Massachusetts during sports week at school.

Cui Jiangwei talked about the Chinese traditional Dragon Boat Festival during an aftercare class for elementary school students in Washington, DC.

Highlights from the TCLP Chinese Teachers in May 2011.

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