February 22, 2013
The
Language Connection of St. John’s University was selected by
the Institute of International
Education (IIE) to host an intensive, six-week program this
spring for 24 high school English teachers from Brazil who
lived at the Manhattan
campus while refining their language skills and classroom
practices.
St. John’s was one of 18 American universities—the only one in New
York State—chosen by IIE. About 540 Brazilian teachers of English
as a Foreign Language (EFL) received grants to study at American
universities in 15 US states this spring. The Brazilian government
is funding the initiative for at least three years through its
Ministry of Education, with support from the US Embassy and the
Fulbright Commission in Brazil.
Photo
Gallery
“Our selection as a site for this effort reflects the
University’s success in preparing students and professionals from
around the world for the opportunities and obligations of living
and working in a global society,” said Anthony Pacheco, vice
president of
global programs at St. John’s. “I’m delighted to see The
Language Connection collaborating with The
School of Education on a project that will have a major effect
on language teaching and learning in Brazil.”
The 24 participants arrived at St. John’s on Tuesday, January 12,
and began their studies on Monday, January 14. Luiz Valcov
Loureiro, PhD, executive director of the Fulbright Commission in
Brazil, and representatives of IIE visited the campus to officially
welcome the participants at a reception on Tuesday evening, January
29. The program concluded on Friday, February 22.
The six-week initiative comprised English refinement classes and
professional development workshops in which participants learned
new tools to bring back to their classrooms in Brazil. Themes from
American history were woven into the material. Instructors were
drawn mainly from The Language Connection. A class on TEFL methods
was taught by
Yvonne Pratt-Johnson, EdD, professor in the graduate
TESOL program, The School of Education.
“St. John’s provides the visitors from Brazil, and all its
English-language students, with distinct advantages,” said Pamela
Fairman, PhD, director of The Language Connection, “including the
quality of our teaching, our high-tech courses, and our New York
City location—the favorite destination of international
students.”
The participants relished the opportunity to improve their English
while seeing the sites in New York City, including Central Park,
the High Line, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern
Art, the New York Public Library, Rockefeller Center, and Times
Square.
For Lucia Solobodziam, of São Paulo, the program provided skills
that will improve the way she teaches. “They're exposing us to
methods and materials I will definitely be able to apply to the
education of my students,” she said. Carlos André Araújo Menezes,
who teaches in Umbaúba, Brazil, added, “I’ve already learned a lot
more than I have in other intensive English courses.”
“This is amazing,” said Francineide Maria da Silva, a teacher from
Teresina, in northeastern Brazil. “I’ve learned so much about
English and teaching methodologies. I’m enjoying every
minute.”
Learn more about the wide variety of intensive English programs
available through The
Language Connection at St. John’s University.
