English Teaching

Special Projects

On June 29, six teachers from Colombia, six from Italy, and one from Tunisia arrived for 90-day summer programs in the teaching of English as a foreign language. After orientation and program planning in Washington, they reported to the English Language Institute, University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor for a 7-week seminar from July 5 to August 19 in methods and materials for teaching. English as a second language. At the end of the seminar these 13 grantees followed an educational travel program for 5 weeks, visiting Chicago, St. Paul, Spokane, San Francisco, Albuquerque, New Orleans, Houston, and St. Louis.

Various Fields

Nine Tunisian teachers in the fields of Arabic, English, geography, history, literature, and mathematics arrived in July for a 90-day program. They left Washington on July 8 to travel to Los Angeles, via Chicago, Denver, Salt Lake City, and San Francisco. In Los Angeles they participated in a 5-week seminar (July 18-August 27) at the University of Southern California. Following the seminar they traveled for 3 weeks visiting the Grand Canyon, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Kansas City, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Buffalo, until the end of their program on September 24.

American Civilization

The

During the past 10 years, 287 teachers from France have participated in the International Teacher Development Program. Of this number, 242 were teachers of English, 11 of philosophy, 15 of physics and chemistry, and 19 of history and geography in French secondary schools. American Embassy in Paris has frequently described the effectiveness of the program saying that the participants are very favorably impressed and, once back in France, devote more time than formerly to the United States in their English classes and give many lectures about life in the United States during their free time. In a report of January 24, 1961, the Embassy commented that this program is perhaps the most effective Government exchange program we have with France, and that more than 300 qualified applicants had applied for the 40 available grants in American Civilization studies.

On July 5, 1961, 40 French lycee teachers arrived in New York City for a program to last 65 days. One group (9 men and 11 women) were to go to the University of Colorado at Boulder, and the other (13 men and 7 women) to Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey at New Brunswick.

The teachers were met in New York City by representatives of the Office of Education and the Department of State. The group going to the University of Colorado left New York July 6, visiting in Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Chicago, and Denver en route to Boulder, where they began their program on July 10. The group going to Rutgers visited in the New York City area until reporting in New Brunswick on the same date.

Program at the University of Colorado. -Dr. Carl Ubbelohde, Associate Professor of History, directed the program at the University of Colorado. Dr. John Wrenn, Assistant Professor of English, served as coordinator for the humanities, and Mr. Peter Mitchell as assistant coordinator. The lectures were delivered by 18 members of the university faculty and by leaders in Boulder.

The basic structure of the academic program was a series of daily lectures and discussion seminars designed to present, as far as possible, a complete introductory survey of United States civilization. History and literature formed the core, but also covered were philosophy, music, the arts, political science, education, anthropology, and sociology.

The teachers took educational trips to the high mountain country, the Colorado-Big Thompson Reclamation Project, the State Industrial School for Boys at Golden, and the Indian Country in New Mexico, as well as to many other places of interest.

The visiting teachers were housed in private homes; thus they leamed something of American family life.

After completing their university program, the group left Boulder on August 12 for a 27-day educational tour to Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Monterey, Los Angeles, the Grand Canyon, Houston, New Orleans, St. Louis, and Cincinnati. They then returned to Washington for the final evaluation sessions, and on September 7 left for France.

Program at Rutgers. -The program at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, was coordinated by Dr. Stuart B. Le Compte, Jr., assisted by Mr. William Gray. The teaching staff was composed of Dr. David D. Denker, Professor of Social Science and Assistant to the University President; Dr. Richard G. Durrin, Assistant Pro- ' fessor of Education; and Dr. David R. Weimer,

Assistant Professor of American Civilization.

The 5-week academic program dealt with central aspects of American culture, literature, history, and education. In addition to the scheduled lectures and seminars, there were other lectures on religion, economics, politics, art, and music, delivered by renowned scholars and leaders.

The teachers were encouraged to visit summersession workshops, institutes, and courses in accordance with personal interests. Thus, they visited a summer demonstration school, mathematics and science institutes financed by the National Science Foundation, the Institute for High School Teachers of English financed by the Ford Foundation, and numerous courses in secondary education. They also visited 12 State-approved summer high schools in the area. They made field trips to points of cultural interest as a supplement to the lectures, and took a 3-day trip into New England. On weekends they visited private homes. Their recreational and social activities included concerts, lectures, the theater, picnics, sporting events, and dances.

All members of the group lived in University dormitories.

After completing the university program, the teachers left New Brunswick on August 12 for a 25-day educational tour of New York City, Niagara Falls, Chicago, Yellowstone National Park, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Monterey, Los Angeles, the Grand Canyon, Albuquerque, El Paso, San Antonio, and New Orleans. They then returned to Washington to join the other French teachers for the final evaluation sessions. On September 7 they all left for France.

Irish Teachers

Fifty-four teachers from Ireland (41 women and 13 men), members of the Irish National Teachers' Organization, arrived in New York City on July 10 for a summer educational project. They spent one week there participating in the following activities:

Meeting with Irish Consul General

Special tour of United Nations building and visit with Irish Mission to the U.N.

Reception given by the New York City chapter of the American Association of University Women

Visit to Fordham University

Tour of New York City arranged by Midtown International Center

Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral, and reception by Cardinal Spellman.

On July 17 the group left for the State University of New York, College of Education, at New Paltz. A special seminar from July 18 to 30 was arranged for them by Dr. William J. Haggerty, President of the institution. The seminar's director was Dr. John H. Jacobson, former Dean of the College and present Chairman of the General Education Division; and the associate director was Professor O.L. Igou, who had served in that capacity in 1959. Mr. Richard King was responsible for recording the lectures and discussions on tape and for helping with other necessary arrangements. All matters of housing and other personal concern for the Irish teachers were supervised by Miss Ruth Cleveland, Director of the College Union, and Mrs. Aileen Childs, Resident Counselor in Bouton Hall, where the members of the seminar lived and had their meetings.

The success of the seminar was due in large measure to the personal interest and participation of President Haggerty, who directed the initial stages of overall planning and who, with Mrs. Haggerty, entertained the Irish visitors at home and also joined in other social and recreational events.

The schedule of lectures, book exhibits, and visits to schools was planned in direct response to specific requests made in advance by Stephen Daly, the group leader. The lectures dealt with levels of achievement in the elementary and junior high schools, teaching methods in the elementary and junior high schools, music in the elementary school, audiovisual aids, teaching through closedcircuit television, educational philosophy, education of the gifted and retarded child, and general talks on particular phases of American history, geography, and literature. The seminar was led by staff members from Teachers College, Columbia University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and also by former U.S. Commissioner of Education, Dr. Earl McGrath.

The teachers showed considerable interest in American textbooks and other books for young people. Exhibits of the following were made

available:

Elementary and junior high school textbooks in all subjects, borrowed from members of the faculty and from the Campus Laboratory School

600 "Junior Library Books" set up in cooperation with 28 publishers for the Summer Session in the Library of the Campus Laboratory School

School texts by 34 publishers.

School visits included one to the comparatively large elementary and high school summer sessions at Newburgh. Here the teachers saw 235 children in 18 sections of the 4th, 5th, and 6th grades in a modem school building embodying all of the newest facilities and elements of design. A complete tour of the whole building and the grounds brought an enthusiastic response, as did also class visits, which lasted from one to three hours. At the Newburgh Free Academy, the Irish teachers saw a program in operation for 1,200 pupils. They were very much interested in this program also. They visited classes in art, history, mathematics, English, foreign languages, and commercial subjects.

In addition to the week end at the College Camp, the Irish teachers participated in the regular summer-session program of student activities and social affairs. These activities, together with opportunities for getting acquainted with students in the College cafeteria where the Irish took their meals, helped them to become acquainted with many Americans. Invitations and visits to homes in the New Paltz community were arranged. At Albany, the group enjoyed a special visit to the State Education Department and meetings with officials. of the New York State Teachers Association.

After a thoroughly interesting and profitable experience in New Paltz, 34 members of the group followed an itinerary arranged for them by the Office of Education. They spent July 30 to August 4 in Boston and Philadelphia, visiting Irish-Americans, seeing Harvard University, and meeting with civic and religious leaders. On August 4, 25 members of the group traveled to Washington, where they met with specialists in the Office of Education, attended a Watergate concert, visited historic and cultural places, and enjoyed hospitality in American homes arranged for them by the Washington International Center. On August 5, in the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare auditorium, the Irish group presented an interesting play and variety entertainment, consisting of songs and dances. On August 8, the group visited the Board of Education of Washington County, Hagerstown (Maryland), visited the South Hagerstown high school, and observed the closed-circuit television

project of Washington County. They then returned to New York, and on August 12 left for home.

Teacher Development Workshops

The seventh of a series of teacher development workshops was completed at the University of Puerto Rico in March 1960. (See table 6, p. 63 .) These workshops, conducted in Spanish, are increasingly popular and fruitful results are reported. Upon return to their own schools, the participants convey their experiences to their colleagues, hold local workshops, and write many newspaper articles about their experiences in the United States.

Sixty-one educators from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Panama attended a 30-day workshop in elementary, secondary, or vocational education conducted at the University of Puerto Rico in Rio Piedras. Thirteen additional educators from 10 countries visited the workshop from February 27 to March 5, after completing their 6-month program in the United States. Dr. Robert E. L. Crane visited the workshop during its last week and accompanied the group on visits to the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico at San German, the College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts at Mayagüez, and the Catholic University of Puerto Rico at Ponce. On March 11, the group was escorted to the mainland, where a 10-day program of educational visits was arranged in New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington. The group visited the Department of State on March 23 and discussed their program with officers of that Department. All departed for home

on March 25.

One participant in this group, Miss Maria Maureira, has written recently from Chile saying:

Now, I work here in Combarbala, a rural zone. It belongs to the province called Coquimbo, in the north of our country. I have accepted this situation because it signified an ascent for me. Now, I am chief of the education at the primary level. Always, I tell to the teachers how is the people of your country and I hope that somebody can go to know them.

The eighth teacher development workshop at the University of Puerto Rico was arranged by the Office for October 17 to November 11. (See table 6, p. 63, for selected data concerning the eight workshops held there since 1956.) Dr. José M. Gallardo of that institution set up seminars in elementary, secondary, and vocational education

for 52 teachers and school administrators from Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Venezuela. The group also visited schools and places of cultural and historical interest. Following the workshop, 50 members of the group on November 11, accompanied by Mr. Dino Pandolfi de Rinaldis, associate director of the project, flew to Washington to continue the program for 12 days on the mainland.

On November 13, accompanied by Office of Education personnel, the group left Washington by buses for Pittsburgh. The next morning Miss Matilda Contreras, a member of the University of Pittsburgh faculty, met with the group and explained to them, in Spanish, the role and interest of the University in international education. Later, Spanish-speaking graduate students from the Modern Language Department met them at the Student Union and from there escorted them on a tour of the lower campus. They stopped at the student book store, the Heinz Chapel, the Mellon Institute, and the 41-story main building, the "Cathedral of Learning," with its "Nationality Rooms'-classrooms dedicated to the various ethnic groups represented in the population of Pittsburgh.

After luncheon, the escorts took the visitors on a tour of the Children's Hospital, the School of the Health Professions, and the School of Engineering.

On November 15, the teachers boarded two buses for an all-day tour of the city. Each bus carried an interpreter and volunteer guides provided by the Pittsburgh Council for International Visitors. Later, the entire group visited the H. J. Heinz food-processing plant.

The next day, the teachers went to New York City, and that evening they broke up into small. groups to visit Radio City, Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, the Bowery, Chinatown, the Battery, and the United Nations building, where they attended a session of the General Assembly.

The full group left New York City for Philadelphia on the following Sunday morning. Volunteers of the Council for International Visitors who were Spanish-speaking included Miss Kathleen McKenna and Mr. Henry Swartwout. The group visited Independence Hall, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Christ Church, the Betsy Ross House, the Rodin Museum, St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Elfreth's Alley, and many other places of cultural and historical interest. After visiting the Commerical Museum and the Philadelphia Panorama Exhibit, the group attended a reception in their honor given by the Pan American Association at the Center for

International Visitors. More than 200 members, including representatives from various consulates, attended.

On Monday morning the teachers separated into two groups. One group visited the University of Pennsylvania, where arrangements had been made. for them to meet the vice-dean of the School of Education and other faculty. The Spanish-speaking members among the faculty discussed various topics with the teachers.

The second group visited Temple University, where they were welcomed by faculty and students. Again, discussions were held. That afternoon the two groups again formed one group and all traveled to Levittstown, where they visited several homes, including those of a steel mill worker and a butcher. The group returned to Philadelphia in the late afternoon and then left for Washington.

On November 22, the teachers met in the New State Department Building with Latin-American Area desk officers for an evaluative discussion of their program. Leaders of this session included Miss Muna Lee, Officer-in-Charge of East and West Coast South American Affairs, Office of the Public Affairs Adviser; Mr. James F. O'Connor, Officer-in-Charge of Argentine Affairs; Mr. John Dreyfuss, Officerin-Charge of Ecuadoran Affairs; Mr. Albert Gerberich, Officer-in-Charge of Colombian Affairs. The visitors were pleased at having an opportunity to speak with these officers.

Following luncheon, the group met at the Office of Education, where they were addressed by Dr. Thomas E. Cotner, Director of the Educational Exchange and Training Branch, Bureau of International Education. Later that afternoon, they toured places of interest in Washington.

Individual Programs

It frequently happens that well-qualified teachers and administrators who have been awarded grants are unable to leave their duties in their home countries in time to arrive here during August or September to participate in the regular 6-month program. Last year 12 such educators from Burma, Chile, Finland, Kenya, Luxembourg, Malaya, New Zealand, Paraguay, the Philippines, and Rhodesia came at various times for individual programs of 90, 120, or 180 days. These varied and flexible programs have proved very successful; they have been. pursued in nursery school education, play therapy, education of the blind, music education, health education, certain specialized phases of educational administration, and experimental education.