“While working as a librarian at a private school, I was given the incredible opportunity to travel to Costa Rica as part of a language learning professional development program. Instead of being housed in a hotel we stayed in local families’ homes in San Jose. This, to me, was the most important aspect of the trip. Instead of being a tourist, I was integrated into the daily life of a family. We were even invited to a family party during our stay. Not only did I learn more language skills on this trip, but I also got to experience the culture and family lifestyle in Costa Rica.”
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Now more than ever, schools and communities around the U.S. are assessing how ready their faculty, parents and students are to address issues of xenophobia, "American identity," and the importance of bilingualism and multiculturalism in our society. In light of recent domestic and international events, questioning the inclusion (or exclusion) of linguistic and cultural minorities (LCMs) has become commonplace. (LCMs refers to people whose native culture and language are other than what is commonly practiced in a particular society.)
Enhancing Diversity via Language (EDVL) is an innovative program based in San José, Costa Rica that addresses these issues as it combines authentic language and cultural immersion, cultural sensitivity training, and professional and academic development in one program. EDVL gives monolingual/monocultural American educators first-hand experience as a linguistic minority in a safe and supportive environment as they:
1. Learn basic to intermediate language skills in Spanish
2. Experience learning to communicate culturally and linguistically in a “foreign” environment (similar to what many students of color face here in the U.S.)
3. Acquire the tools and language to address and immediately correct incidents of racism on academic campuses as well as the resources, confidence, and empathy to become agents of change.
4. Earn continuing education credits in the areas of Academic and Professional Development
5. Network, share and build relationships with local Costa Rican educators
The candidates selected to participate in Enhancing Diversity via Language will experience life as a LCM firsthand as they spend two weeks in San José, Costa Rica taking 30 hours of intensive Spanish language classes, 15 hours of diversity and inclusivity training, and six hours volunteering with a local education-based community service project. The group will also attend networking events with noteworthy members of Costa Rica's academic and business communities.
By the end of the Program, the participants will gain a significant boost in their confidence and ability to communicate in Spanish, firsthand experience in navigating cultural differences, new connections with colleagues in Costa Rica, a deeper understanding of how students of color, especially LCMs, experience school life differently in the U.S., and the tools and knowledge to become agents of change in their respective communities.
This program is designed for: Monolingual (English) North American secondary and post-secondary educators (of all disciplines), academic administrators, admissions counselors, diversity and global education coordinators, human resources professionals and student counselors.
Important note: Immersa Global's Professional Development programs strive to create supportive and safe environments where participants of all backgrounds are respected and encouraged to speak freely. The majority of the group activities in English are presented in a roundtable format where participants, in addition to program directors, serve as facilitators.
For more information, please contact the Program Director, Sheree M. Mitchell, M.A.
As an experienced foreign language instructor myself (French) I really appreciated the full immersion program in Costa Rica. The class size was very small and the instructor used the communicative approach to teaching Spanish. The homestay experience was great because it provided an authentic environment where we practiced our new language skills. ~ Caroline G. (Miami, FL)
PROGRAM DETAILS
PROGRAM FEE: $3,675.00* (see below for details)
HOMESTAY & LANGUAGE INSTITUTE: Click here
PROGRAM DEADLINES: Register by February 16th, 2018 at midnight EST. Once your registration is received and reviewed, you will receive payment options for the $500.00 non-refundable deposit.
PROGRAM CONTACT: Sheree M. Mitchell, M.A. sheree@igscholar.com
REGISTRATION PROCESS: Click on the EDVL 2018 Registration button below. You will need to reserve 15-25 minutes to fill in the information. Please note that once you begin, the program does not automatically save your information.
*The Program Fee Includes:
- Lodging with a local prescreened host family for 17 days.
- Daily breakfast and dinner (and some lunches)
- 30 hours of small-group Spanish language classes
- 15 hours of Diversity and Inclusion workshops and seminars
- 6 hours volunteering with local schools and universities
- Private group transportation for scheduled activities
- Networking events with local Costa Rican educators
- Costa Rican cultural classes
- 24/7 local support from EDVL program director and staff
The Program Fee Does NOT Include:
- Flights to and from Costa Rica
- Passport and visa fees (if applicable)
- Travel Insurance
- Meals not mentioned in the program
- Incidentals
- Weekend Excursions
Learn more about Immersa Global's approach to Language Study and Cultural Sensitivity.