April 1997 "Teach in a Spanish Speaking Country - Summer 1997",
Spring Meeting of TESOL in Missouri
Missouri Southern State College, Joplin, Missouri

At the same time, the teachers learned some practical Spanish. They also learned about the Hispanic culture, customs, history, and geography. This international experience provided teachers with greater empathy and understanding for Hispanic people and it prepared them to better serve students of Hispanic origins (and all international students) in their own their own schools.

Plans are being made now to place teachers again during the summer of 1997. Rotary Clubs in Mexico, Central America and South America are again requesting teachers. It is possible that this program will grow to include Spanish speaking /other language populations in other parts of the world as well..

In general, U.S. Rotary Clubs pay for the teacher's round trip transportation. The host Rotary Club provides room, board and local transportation for the teachers. You do not need to speak Spanish to be included in this program.

The teachers are all volunteers and there is no charge for the students to take the course. The teachers provide the teaching materials and use "English As a Second Language" curriculum. Classes are generally taught to adults and can be set up according to size, type of student and/or existing language ability. In previous years classes have targeted workers in most phases of the tourist industry, government officials, business persons and professionals.

You can learn more about the Rotary InterDistrict Teacher Exchange Program through this World Wide Web site Rotary. The program has grown from 2 in 1992 > 3 in 1993 > 8 in 1994 > 25 in 1995 > 50 in 1996. In 1997, as many as 100 teachers may be involved in exchange programs in Mexico, Central and South America. It could be the greatest summer you have spent teaching!