Costa Rica
Two fabulous opportunities to visit Costa Rica:
- Walking in the Shores of an English Language or Struggling Learner - Summer I, 2013
- Final 5 - Week Internship in Costa Rica
Fall, 2013 (not available for Spring Semester)
Program brochure and applications:
- Summer Program Brochure for Students
- International Field Experience Costa Rica Summer, 2013 - Selection Process
- Additional Required Application forms can be found under the “Summer or Faculty-Led Short Programs”
- View the Summer 2013 Presentation
Program brochure and applications:
- Fall Internship Brochure for Students (not available yet)
- Internship Selection Process, Fall, 2013
- Additional Required Application forms can be found under the “Summer or Faculty-Led Short Programs”
Please carefully note all due dates listed in the above selection documents. They different for the two programs.
For more information, contact the program leader:
Dr. Debbie Powell
powelld@uncw.edu
910-962-3175 phone
910-962-3988 fax
Walking in the Shoes of an English Language or Struggling Learner
- Summer I, 2013 (3 to 6 hours credit possible)
- May 17-June 9, 2013
- Deadline for application is January 15, 2013
- Open to any education major at UNCW; will consider applications from students from other NC universities.
- Undergraduates may count 6 hours toward their concentration.
- Special Education and MAT Middle Grades students may count 3 hours
- Many graduate programs will count 6 hours toward electives.
Do check with your advisor for how you might work this study abroad into your program.
Description: Experience what it's like to be a second language learner, immersed in a new culture and school. Experience not only learning a language, but learning new cultural mores, learning science and social science concepts in a new language, and experience what it's like to be a struggling learner. Live in Spanish-speaking homes and experience the Latino family life and culture. Visit and teach in local schools, participate in service learning projects, take 60 hours of Spanish in 3 1/2 weeks and experience a green, caring, peaceful country. Come to COSTA RICA!
View the Summer 2013 itinerary >
View the Summer 2013 presentation >
Register Summer I, 2013 for:
- Undergraduates: EDN455 International Field Experience (3 or 6 hours; 6 hours required for financial aid)
- Graduates: EDN592 International Field Experience (3 or 6 hours; 6 hours required for financial aid)
- Instructor Approval Required
INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS FOR SUMMER TRIP:
- 9/14/2012 Fri 9:00 AM-10:00 AM EB 162
- 9/17/2012 Mon 4:00 PM-5:00 PM EB 229
In the Summer Program you will:
- Experience being a Spanish language learner, living in a new culture, learning a new language, learning in a new language, and living in a Spanish-speaking home with Spanish newspapers, radio and TV, thereby, gaining an authentic cultural experience.
- Observe and teach in public schools to practice speaking in Spanish, to teach English as a second language and to compare the curricula, methods of instruction and assessment to US schools.
- Take 60 hours of Spanish in the highly-rated language immersion school CPI, taught by native Costa Rican teachers, most of whom don’t speak English. Class size is 1-4 students per teacher.
- Take short cultural classes such as cooking, history of Costa Rica, and dancing (primarily taught in Spanish). Consequently, you will construct a framework for helping students compare their native culture, society, and family with those cultures, societies and families encountered during travel in Costa Rica and future international travel.
- Attend lectures and go on tours in Spanish with English translation. Students will learn the geography of the region, including the biodiversity of the rainforests and the oceans surrounding Costa Rica, transportation modes, and general information on travel within the region.
- Complete two social service learning projects in Costa Rica to better understand poverty conditions and ways that community members work together to support children.
- Attend classroom discussions, keep reflective blogs, and through inquiry and constant interaction with the instructor. You will reflect on your own learning, feelings, and how this translates into understanding of ELLs and the strategies that can be used to effectively support these children in conceptual learning, language proficiency, and literacy development.
- Complete a project of your choosing that requires you to use primary sources in English and Spanish, designate who the audience is, and method of delivery.
Final 5-Week Internship in Costa Rica
- Fall, 2013 (not available for Spring Semester)
- Travel dates: October 27 – December 1, 2013
- Open only to UNCW elementary, middle, secondary or Spanish education majors who qualify for internship and successfully complete first 10 weeks in NC.
- Application Deadline by e-mail to Dr. Powell: December 31, 2012
- First payment (non-refundable) of $300 is due January 10, 2013
- Limited number of spaces, so apply early! Consult your advisor!
Program Description:
Experience teaching second language learners through an inquiry approach while being immersed in a new culture and school. For Elementary, Middle, High School teacher interns (Mentor teachers are American and Canadian) and Spanish Education interns (mentor teachers are local Spanish teachers). Experience Readers' and Writers' Workshop and Problem-Based Learning in a rich ecological environment. Live in Spanish-speaking homes and experience the Latino family life and culture. Visit other local public schools, participate in service learning projects, take weekly Spanish lessons and experience a green, caring, peaceful country. Come to COSTA RICA!
View the Fall 2013 itinerary >
Register
Fall, 2013 for EDN 455 International Field Experience (3 sem. hours) in addition to Internship hours required for your program. Instructor Approval Required.
INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS FOR INTERNSHIP TRIP:
- 9/4/2012 Tue 4:00 PM-4:45 PM EB 226
- 9/6/2012 Thu 4:00 PM-4:45 PM EB 226
- 9/7/2012 Fri 3:00 PM-3:45 PM EB 162
In the Internship Program, you will:
- Experience being a Spanish language learner, living in a new culture, learning a new language, learning in a new language, and living in a Spanish-speaking home with Spanish newspapers, radio and TV, thereby, gaining an authentic cultural experience. Your “Tico” family will be the highlight of your stay by the end of the experience.
- Teach 5 weeks at the Cloud Forest School (grades K-11) using Reader’s Workshop, Writer’s Workshop, and Problem-Based Learning, all highly compatible approaches with the new Common Core State Standards.
- Experience an environmentally focused curriculum, including students growing organic gardens, composting, reforesting, and building nature trails through the 106 A. of Cloud Forest in which the school is situated.
- Teach Spanish-speaking children in ENGLISH, providing you with new strategies to bring back to your classroom for teaching your ELLs.
- Take 20 hours of Spanish taught by native Costa Rican teachers, most of whom don’t speak English.
- Work with outstanding mentor teachers from all over the U.S. and Canada.
- Take weekend hikes in the forest, with at least one being a guided hike to learn about the ecosystem.
- Optional weekend trip to Arenal Volcano and hot springs (extra).