KY-Uruguay+Teacher+to+Teacher+Project


 * Hello Kentucky Spanish Teachers!**


 * Want to be one of 50 teachers to participate in the first-ever “Senderos Tecnológicos:** Conectando Educadores de Uruguay y Kentucky por ciber-amistades” Project?

Read below for more information.

This project is principally designed for teachers in rural areas who by virtue of location do not have opportunities to interact with native speakers of Spanish. We will consider teachers in urban areas if space is available. ANY interested teacher at this point should apply. If Rural teachers do not take advantage of this project, then we will open it up to all teachers, regardless of location.


 * Underlying Assumption:** Teachers of a second language understand the importance of using that language on a regular basis in an authentic and culturally relevant context to facilitate development of skills and knowledge. Teachers of a second language benefit through sustained interaction with native speakers with whom to practice and exchange cultural information. Teachers in Uruguay and Kentucky, especially in rural areas, lack access to native, or native-like speakers of the second language and therefore have limited opportunity to maintain or advance their proficiency level. Establishing a network of collaboration between teachers of second languages in Uruguay and Kentucky will provide these much-needed exchange opportunities.

1. Utilize technology for collaboration with an international partner. 2. Improve skills (Interpretive, Interpersonal, Presentational) in using the second language. 3. Establish long-lasting partnerships that extend beyond simply learning to use the language, but also extending into personal relationships that lead to construction of cultural bridges.
 * GOALS:** Teachers in both places will…

1. Install SKYPE on their computers and know how to use it; make audio and video adjustments, trouble shoot problems. 2. Commit at least one hour a week to talking with partner over skype. 3. Work with partner through skype, email, or other tool to establish weekly, monthly, yearly goals for both language and culture outcomes. 4. Be familiar with principles of language acquisition, especially the importance of ‘comprehensible input’ within a context or theme to help make the most of each exchange with partner. 5. Prepare adequately, according to the established goals, for weekly mini-presentations to make the most of each exchange with partner.
 * AGREEMENT:** All teachers must agree to …

1. 50 Kentucky teachers will be chosen by September 19, 2012. These 50 teachers will (for those attending) meet during one of the planned sessions at the KWLA annual conference. 2. In September KWLA and the Uruguayan English Language Teacher Program will assign partners. Kentucky and Uruguayan teachers will learn their partner’s information in late September or early October. 3. The Phases will be carried out as follows, which follow the schedules of the participating teachers. Phase I (Oct – Dec), Phase II (Feb – Mar), Phase III (Apr – Jun). 4. Follow-up reports and data collection will be gathered in June of 2013.
 * PROCESS:**

APPLICATION: Go to this link to fill out the application now, click this link for application