Resources

English Language Learning

Teacher Exchange Visitor Program

Overview

The exchange visitor program, administered by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), is a partnership with the Ministry of Education and Culture of Spain and the Office of the Secretary of Public Education of Mexico. Spain has participated in the program since 1999, and Mexico joined in 2008.

Purpose

The purpose of these partnerships is to enhance understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries through educational and cultural exchanges. The programs also improve the skills of teachers of Spanish within the State of Illinois.

Illinois Exchange Visitor Program

ISBE's governmental and programmatic oversight for this cultural exchange program includes the assessment of the English language proficiency of teacher candidates in Spain and Mexico. ISBE collaborates with the Ministry of Education and Culture of Spain and the Secretary of Public Education of Mexico to locate potential teachers. The participating Illinois school districts then select teachers deemed highly qualified and English language proficient to teach Spanish or teach in a transitional bilingual education program at various grade levels. Selected teachers, sponsored by ISBE and employed by individual school districts, receive three year exchange visitor J-1 Visas from the U.S. Department of State.

For more information:

Thus far, 497 teachers from Spain and Mexico have participated in this program. In the 2008-2009 school year, ninety-seven teachers from Spain and five from Mexico are teaching in; Arlington Heights 25, Aurora East 131, CUSD 300 (Carpentersville), Cicero 99, Danville SD 118, School District U46 (Elgin), Plainfield 202, Rockford 205, Schaumburg CUSD 54, Troy CCSD 30-C, Waukegan CUSD 60, and Woodstock CUSD 200. In addition, Mannheim 83, and Wheeling CCSD 21 have participated in past years.

Additional Exchange Opportunities for Teachers and Students Summer Institutes

The Spanish Ministry of Education and several Spanish universities partially sponsor scholarships to U.S. teachers of Spanish to attend language and culture or children's literature courses for three weeks in Spain. The university credit courses take place in July and August.

International Spanish Academies

Students can access highly recognized institutions of higher learning in the U.S., Canada, Europe, or Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America.

AP Spanish Language Courses

Ruta Quetzal

The Quetzal Route is both a study program and an adventure trip. During the course of the trip, participants complete a program of academic activities designed by the Universidad Complutense in Madrid.

Language Assistants

The Ministry of Education and Science of Spain (MEPSYD), through an agreement with the Education Authorities in the Autonomous Regions will offer 1300 grants in 2009. Assistants will have the opportunity to learn about the Spanish language and culture and use their experience upon their return to the United States or Canada, thus helping to develop cultural understanding between the citizens of Spain and the United States of America and Canada. At the same time, the program provides Spanish students and teachers of English an opportunity to broaden and increase their knowledge of the English language and North American culture through interaction with native speakers.

Contact Information

Spanish Ministry of Education
Roberto Garcia
Education Advisor-Embassy of Spain
100 W. Randolph Street, Suite 14-300
Chicago, IL 60601 USA
Phone: 312 814 9192
Fax: 312 814 8636
e-mail: roberto.garciag@mepsyd.es
http://www.mepsyd.es/exterior/usa/en/home/index.shtml

Mexican Ministry of Education
Secretaria de Education Publica
Direccion General de Relaciones Internacionales
Donceles 100, 1er piso, oficina 204
Col. Centro 06020, Mexico D.F.
Phone: (55)36016957
Hours: Monday-Friday 9a.m.-3p.m.
Email: anorte@sep.gob.mx
http://www.mexterior.sep.gob.mx:7008/convig.htm

Robin M. Lisboa, Division Administrator, English Language Learning
Illinois State Board of Education
100 W. Randolph, Suite 14-300
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 814-3850
e-mail: rlisboa@isbe.net