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Argentina

With more than 330 million native speakers around the world, the ability to speak Spanish has become imperative. More than 50 million people speak Spanish as their second language, and each year this number is increasing. Not only is Spanish taught in local high schools and universities, but more students are traveling around the world to fully immerse themselves in the Spanish language and culture.

Because Spanish is so widely spoken, it is only natural that a range of dialects, pronunciations and accents have emerged in various parts of the world, leaving those who want to study Spanish wondering where they should begin. Whether it is the old world of Spain, or a Spanish-speaking country in the new world, there are quality institutions which will provide the committed learner with the opportunity to improve their language skills in just a few weeks.

Mendoza

Intercultural is a private language school and teacher education center located in Mendoza, Argentina- at Los Andes foothills- five blocks away from the bus station. Restaurants, buses, banks, supermarkets, etc. are within easy walking distance.We offer intensive Spanish courses, as well as specialized language-learning programs, as it is  shown in our web site. In addition, we are able to set up internships,  volunteer opportunities and accomodation for our students.

Intercultural is the first center to become an associated member of Instituto Cervantes Network, in Argentina. The school is also affiliated with Congreso University. Students have access to academic credits transferable to their universities. There are a variety of programs offered, (i)  General Spanish in all levels, (ii) Academic Spanish as Preparation for Studies at Universities in Spanish speaking countries, (iii) Immersion program: Spanish lessons and homestay accommodation, (iv) Special programs: Spanish and Wine, Adventure, Latin American Studies or History, (v) Courses for ex pats, (vi) Preparation to sit for the international exam DELE, or national exam CELU, (vii) Contact organizations for volunteer and internships, (viii) Afternoon activities to improve fluency and knowledge

The main objective at Intercultural is for the students to be completely immersed in the culture and language. Students can start group courses, with a maximum of 6 students, any Monday throughout the year. Intercultural has over fifteen years of experience and is a reliable place for students and groups to learn Spanish, to volunteer, to do an internship, and to experience a life-changing-learning opportunity.

For further info visit www.spanishcourses.com.ar

Bariloche

Bariloche, recognized as the portal to Patagonia, is a wonderful place to learn Spanish. This small city surrounded by mountains and lakes is safe and you can combine your Spanish study with lots of activities in the afternoon and weekends.

Spanish School “La Montaña” offers three different courses.

The Standard course consists of 20 hours of group classes per week, lasting from 1 to 8 weeks. Classes will be Monday to Friday from 9am to 1pm, with a maximum of 4 students per class

The Intensive course is the Standard course plus 10 hours of private classes. The group classes are being held in the morning, followed by 2 hours of private classes in the afternoon to improve your own weaknesses and to sharpen your strong points.

The Private course is taught by private teachers in the afternoon The amount of hours will entirely depend upon your own goals. We can design a program completely focused on you specific needs of attention.

They encourage students to stay with host families, as a way of continue practicing Spanish. La Montaña offers various after school activities as Salsa and Tango lessons, different afternoon hikes, visiting secondary schools and one of our volunteer projects. These activities are all included in the course price, except the out-of-the pocket costs, such as a bus ticket and drinks.

Buenos Aires

Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires, is a South American city with European flair, offering a range of cosmopolitan cuisines and a riveting nightlife. One cannot escape dancing in the birthplace of the passionate tango, where tango houses or “milongas” litter the city.

Home to more than three million people, Buenos Aires is located on the southeastern coast of the continent. Bordered by the Rio de la Plata and the Riachuelo, the city’s inhabitants are frequently called “portenos,” emphasizing the city’s role as a major port.

As for the language, Spanish learned in Argentina will be understood worldwide, however, there are a few subtle differences. According to Professor Monica del Milagro Plaza, the director of Bien Argentino, Instituto de Idioma y Cultura Argentina, “All of the varieties of Spanish are correct Spanish. Since Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, regional particularities are to be expected. If you learn all your Spanish in one place (Argentina, Ecuador, Spain, etc.), you will understand Spanish speakers all around the world. However, the [Argentine] differences are lexical. For example, [Argentines] use voseo instead of tu and they use only one “s” sound, as in “song,” for words with s/z/c.”

COINED has schools in every strategic point in Argentina, giving the participants the chance of enjoying the different options, climates and  locations this country has to offer. If you want to experience a cosmopolitan way of life then Buenos Aires or Cordoba should be a perfect choice. But if you want to enjoy cold weathers, glaciers and snowed hills then you can’t miss our schools in Ushuaia, Bariloche or Mendoza. In every school we provide the participants with comfortable facilities, audio and video room, internet and a cafeteria.

At COINED their priority is to make sure our programs meet your expectations because we they understand that your choice to pursue an experiential education entails risk and some degree of adventure. They have a wide variety of courses so that you can choose the one that suits you the best with the advantages of experience-based learning in small groups. Also they offer a minimum of two recreational activities per week so you can submerge in the local culture. You will get qualified and professional teaching. COINED offers you the possibility of obtaining credits in cooperation with various international colleges and universities. Their goal is to help you develop the skills and concepts necessary to feel comfortable in any speaking situation.

For further info, visit www.coined.com.ar

Buenos Aires Spanish School, which is located two blocks away from the National Congress, offers a variety of courses including an immersion program which consists of 20 hours of instruction per week, a semi-immersion program (10 hours a week), private classes, and Spanish language classes for children. Group courses consist of no more than six students per class and courses begin every Monday of the year. The school is a member of the Asociación Argentina de Centros ELE, an organization which ensures that students are receiving quality instruction.

For further info, visit www.baspanish.com

Academia Buenos Aires is dedicated exclusively to teaching Spanish as a foreign language, with emphasis on academic excellence, professional service, and complete immersion. Located in an exclusive, completely restored historic building in downtown Buenos Aires, on central Plaza de Mayo, the Academy caters to students from around the world in search of a high-quality academic experience. Motivated teachers with degrees in linguistics, specially-designed study materials, and years of experience, have earned the academy a cooperation agreement for university credit with the prestigious Universidad de Buenos Aires. The professional service at Academia Buenos Aires is guaranteed through multilingual staff available 24 hours a day. The complete immersion approach is based on rich study materials, the possibility to live in homestays or shared apartments with Argentines, and the extracurricular program of the Academy — at least twice a week, staff accompany students to museums, exhibitions, different barrios, concerts, tango classes, asado dinners, wine tastings, etc. All activities are free of charge. The Academy has recently opened up a second school in Montevideo, Uruguay, based on the same approach and study materials, allowing students to switch destinations seamlessly. Montevideo is a three-hour boat ride from Buenos Aires across the Rio de la Plata.

Located a few yards away from Plaza de Mayo and Puerto Madero, Alem Spanish School offers a relaxed and comfortable ambience for learning Spanish. Each class is balanced with vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, conversation, reading, and writing exercises. Students are given numerous opportunities to practice their Spanish in a wide variety of formats. Aimed at maintaining quality programs for its students, Alem offers private lessons as well as group lessons with no more than five students.

Argentina Idioma Español, with four locations in Argentina: Buenos Aires, Patagonia, Cordoba, and Ushuaia, is the only Spanish language school in Argentina that specializes in teaching Spanish for adults and professionals. All of the school’s professional teachers hold a university degree in Spanish as a Foreign Language, which guarantees intensive and solid learning progress in a minimal amount of time. AIE offers a wide variety of immersion Spanish programs in a private or group setting as well as a Business Spanish Program, a Medical Spanish Program, internships and volunteer programs.

With locations throughout Argentina, including Buenos Aires, Argentina I.L.E.E. Spanish Schools provide the same levels of instruction at all their locations in order to provide consistent instruction for students who want to transfer to a different location.

All teachers at I.L.E.E. hold a University of Buenos Aires Master’s degree in either Literature or Education, and have taught Spanish as a foreign language for more than three years.

Bien Argentino has two locations in Argentina, one in Buenos Aires and one in Salta. While most readers may only be familiar with Buenos Aires, Salta is located in the foothills of the Andes mountains in Lerma Valley. Also known as “Salta La Linda” or “Salta the Beautiful”, tourists visit it every year for its magnificent landscapes, architectural wonders, and museums.

Because of Argentina’s rich culture, the school emphasizes the importance of culture in its programs. The school offers three main kinds of programs: Spanish language, Argentine culture, and cultural immersion. For its cultural immersion program, Bien Argentino arranges cultural immersion activities in groups of four led by experts in Argentine art and history.

DelPlata’s Casa de Idiomas, located in Recoleta, offers different private and group Spanish courses, including programs for beginners to prepare them for a trip through Argentina. The school also provides each student with intensive advice before booking a course, individual guidance during the learning process, reliable organization, and frequent teacher supervision.

ECELA Spanish Immersion Schools is the perfect opportunity to improve your Spanish while enjoying what Latin America has to offer. Combine different destinations (Buenos Aires, Bariloche, Santiago, Lima and Cusco) and learn about the local cultures. Having fun while you learn is possible al ECELA!

Instituto de Español Rayuela is located in Buenos Aires’ oldest barrio, the San Telmo, which is full of colonial houses and cobblestone streets. Founders decided to call the school “Rayuela,” which also means “Hopscotch,” as a tribute to Julio Cortázar’s famous novel, and as a reminder that teaching and learning a language should always be an enjoyable game of communication. In addition to the traditional Spanish courses, Instituto de Espanol Rayuela also offers online Spanish courses for the convenience of their students.

Mundo Español was one of the first in Argentina to offer Spanish as a Foreign Language. It is located in the touristic and historical neighborhood of San Telmo. Not only does Mundo Español provide students with Spanish instruction, but they also seek to get them involved in outside class activities. Some examples include internships and volunteer programs, sports lessons or tango lessons, which all provide a context in which the student is immersed in the Spanish language and in the Argentinean Culture,while not being in the formal classroom setting. Mundo Español offers classes at an affordable price and is the program to choose for the serious student intent on developing their skills of the Spanish language.

Mundo Español has the support of government entities and agreements with numerous international universities and national and foreign institutions. They also provide university credits. Mundo Español’s  director is the former president and co-founder of the Argentine Association of Schools of Spanish as a Foreign Language (AACELE). They also offer accommodation and tourism services.

The University Language Center, part of the University of Buenos Aires, currently has more than 1,500 overseas students enrolled in its Spanish language program. Due to its affiliation with the University, the language center is also able to provide different courses, such as Business Spanish. Assistance is given to overseas students with housing and obtaining visas.

VerBaires Spanish School, which is also located in San Telmo, offers the perfect blend of antique and bohemian households, with modern lively cafés, bars and restaurants.

The school offers various courses: from a three-day survival course, to regular, semi- and intensive programs, five days a week. Courses are tailored to each student after their level of Spanish has been assessed by a placement test.

Also located in the Recoleta barrio, VOS Buenos Aires incorporates the cultural beat of Buenos Aires into its daily activities for students, such as visiting milongas to dance the tango, restaurants to taste Argentine food, and museums to learn about the different artistic styles and movements of the country. Included in the language programs, VOS Buenos Aires offers tours that are different from the typical tourist fare.

Lessons are task-based, which means students learn by doing. During class and according to each student’s level, students go shopping, order food, ask for directions, make a documentary, or invent a magazine to learn Spanish in a practical setting, in addition to formal language training. Students can choose a variety of programs, including private lessons, intensive courses, and Spanish immersion programs.

Cordoba

Espanex is the Spanish department of Academia Argüello, a well known Institution with more than 50 years of experience supporting education and learning and recognized by the Ministry of Culture and Education of Cordoba, Argentina. Espanex offers different types of intercultural programs in Argentina, among them; volunteering, internships and Spanish courses in the cities of Buenos Aires, Cordoba and recently Bariloche. The Spanish courses are from 10 to 30 hours per week and we also offer special courses which include tango, history and literature lessons for example. The internships are offered in Buenos Aires within first level and highly competitive companies. They are personalized focusing primarily on the intern’s training and learning.

Cordoba is the University city par excellence in Argentina since the UNC (National University of Cordoba) was the first one to be created, and one of the oldest in Latin America. It has around 200.000 permanent students coming from all over the country; that is why there are many things you can do every night. Today we are proud to say that all students that visit Espanex take with them great memories of Cordoba and of course, of us. This is thanks to the human quality of the people who take part in Espanex.

SET-IDIOMAS is a Spanish school located in historic Cordoba, Argentina’s second largest city.  Nestled at the foot of the beautiful Sierras de Cordoba, this area is plentiful with lakes, rivers and valleys. Cordoba itself is home to an active student life. From the National University founded in 1613 to the fun and safe night life, this major city and its hospitable citizens provide a wonderful learning opportunity.

Whether students are just beginning the study of Spanish or becoming proficient, the intensive classes are an enjoyable way to learn the language. Classes meet two to four hours each day, allowing time to practice during planned excursions and free time in and around Cordoba. SET-IDIOMAS offers Spanish + tango/salsa, Spanish for academic purposes, special programs for university groups, DELE (Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera) preparation and Spanish on the road which combines courses in Cordoba, Buenos Aires, Mendoza and Bariloche.

Students can live with host families (includes half board) or share an apartment with Argentine students.

Learning English in the US

inlingua Engilsh Center
The mission of inlingua® English Center is to provide instruction in English as a Second Language to international students for their academic, professional and personal needs, and to promote cross-cultural understanding and academic excellence. Its mission is to also provide students with an opportunity to evaluate their performances through various test mechanisms, so that they may better respond to academic and immigration needs.

Classes are offered at 12 levels, from beginning to the most advanced. inlingua® Washington, DC is also an official TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication) test center. It is administered monthly, and is also open to those not enrolled at inlingua®. Classes are held all year round, except for national holidays.

California Destinations for Language Learning

California is not only one of the world’s most popular tourist hotspots; it is also a popular destination for international students. According Open Doors 2005, over 75,000 international students enrolled in the state last year — over 13 percent of the nation’s total. Of course, the majority of these students took graduate and undergraduate programs, but enrollments on intensive English programs (IEP’s) grew by 7.5 percent from the previous year in which over 10,000 students enrolled on IEP’s in California.

Language Magazine asked program providers why the state is so popular with English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students.
Starting about an hour north of San Francisco, Helen Kallenbach of the Sonoma State American Language Institute believes that California’s diversity is the key to its success, “There is a large variety of students in California, so one group doesn’t really dominate. There are also many types of climate, geography, and activities in this state. Students can live near the ocean, the mountains, the desert; they can surf, ski, camp, play golf. California has several national and state parks such as the Sonoma Coast State Beach, Yosemite, and Death Valley. There are several major cities in California including the capital Sacramento, Berkeley, Los Angeles, San Jose, Santa Barbara, San Diego, and San Francisco. Each one offers opportunities to experience the California culture including museums, shopping, restaurants, and sightseeing.”

Kallenbach adds that the institute typifies the diversity and friendliness of California, “Our school is located on the park-like campus of California State University Sonoma. It is close to the Pacific Ocean, the redwood forest, the wine country (Sonoma and Napa counties), Sacramento, Berkeley, and Lake Tahoe and all the activities that those locations offer. CSU Sonoma is one of the finest small liberal arts universities in the Western part of the U.S. Our town and campus are safe and welcoming. Our school is small (around 50 students) and each student receives individual attention including academic counseling. Most students agree that ‘SSALI is like a family.’”

Helen Davaran of LSI in Berkeley stresses the state’s diversity of attractions, “The mild weather, varied geography including mountains, deserts, and beaches, the laid back California atmosphere, its proximity to Asia, many good colleges and universities to go on to, all of the attractions and activities available from the Golden Gate Bridge, the Wine and Gold country in Northern California to Disneyland and Hollywood in Southern California; activities run the gamut from skiing to surfing and can often be done from one week to the next!”
Climate Culture

In southern California, the weather adds to the attraction of diversity, according to Dr William Price of OSULA Education Center in Los Angeles, “Many people choose California as a study destination for the good weather and sunshine. Another reason is the lifestyle and the great variety of opportunities to learn and see things outside the classroom that are found in California. Yet another reason is that there are many language and ethnic communities in California cities where international students can find a touch of home on weekends.” Dr Price adds that his school’s location is particularly appropriate for international students, “OSULA Education Center is located in a safe neighborhood within walking distance of shopping, restaurants, entertainment, and parks, and yet only a 20-minute commute from downtown Los Angeles. From our front door, students can easily navigate to other parts of the city…and Southern California…using public transportation. We provide on-campus student housing, a gymnasium, tennis court, and swimming pool. Here, in upscale Studio City, students can easily meet people in coffee bars or elsewhere for conversations and friendship.”

John F. Akapito, the manager of English Language Programs at National University in San Diego, is unequivocal about the attraction of California and San Diego in particular, “Because of its diverse population, California is proven to be one of the best, if not the best, locations for international students to study. Southern California has more to offer, including its most envied ever-pleasant weather. San Diego unquestionably is America’s finest city.”

Vince Burns of ELS San Diego shares this enthusiasm for his city and state, “California is a magnet for young people from around the world. Besides learning English, there are so many things the students can do during their leisure time. The climate in the southern part of the state is the best in the United States which makes it a very attractive place to live year-round. The diversity of the population is amazing which makes it much easier for students to fit in. San Diego has the best climate in the U.S. It is a very moderate and mild climate which our students love. They can spend a lot of time outdoors year round. Our school has been in San Diego for almost 30 years. We take learning English very seriously. A majority of our students study in our 30-hours per week Intensive program and then move on to seek their degrees at colleges and universities. Many of them do not need to take the TOEFL exam as many institutions accept completion of our program as a way to meet their English requirement. In addition to our serious academics, we offer an extensive student activities program.”

For once, the old cliché of having something for everyone rings true.

Contacts
Since 1990, OSULA Education Center in Los Angeles has provided students from around the world with practical English courses. Small classes, American teachers, and an interactive curriculum build fluency fast! OSULA is located in an upscale neighborhood with easy access to Southern California’s many attractions.

Sonoma State American Language Institute [SSALI] in Northern California — The best word to describe the SSALI experience is family. SSALI is on the park-like campus of CSU Sonoma near the California Wine Country and one hour from San Francisco in the safe community of Rohnert Park. www.sonoma.edu/exed/ssali or contact by email: [email protected].

Eastern Kentucky University English Program

eastern kentucky univeristy signThe EKU English Language Program (EELI) Instruction Program (EELI) offers an intensive program of English as a Second Language to non-native speakers of English. It emphasizes academic, real English used interactively as much as possible.

The Program’s objectives focus on fostering a welcoming, non-threatening language- learning environment. EELI prepares students for study in American colleges and universities and is open to all students wishing to improve their English skills for personal, academic, and professional purposes. Classes cover all the important English language skills: reading, writing, speaking, and listening — and include extensive orientation to American lifestyles and culture. EELI participants may live on campus in University residence halls and benefit from a number of supportive services, including cross-cultural activities and excursions.

Click here to visit EKU Language Program site.

Fischler School of Education and Human Services

Portrait of teacher with elementary school teacher at his deskWhat you learn here and how you learn it will not only transform your life, but the lives of everyone around you. Serving more than 15,000 students in approximately 40 countries, Nova Southeastern University’s Fischler School of Education and Human Services is one of the largest schools of education at an accredited university in the United States.

When we opened our doors more than 35 years ago, we shattered the barriers of traditional learning, causing a ripple effect that can still be felt today. Online. On-site. Or on our modern, 18-acre campus in North Miami Beach, Florida, our ideas, our approach, and our programs—found nowhere else in the nation—inspire our students to inspire the people around them to move the world.

Nova Southeastern University

nsu shark logoNova Southeastern University (NSU), an independent, nonprofit university chartered by the state of Florida in 1964, is the sixth largest independent university in the United States. It is located on a 300-acre main campus west of Fort Lauderdale, with three other campuses in the South Florida area. NSU is licensed to operate in 30 of the 50 states and is alma mater to about 90,000 graduates.The university, with more than 26,000 students, is an acknowledged leader in field-based and other distance education degree programs, offering associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist, and doctoral degrees across the nation and at selected international sites. NSU offers degrees in education, law, oceanography, computer sciences, business and public administration, psychology, the health professions, the liberal arts, and others.

French in the Alps

Idyllic landscape in the Alps with mountain chalet in springtimeVisit the Alps

Breathtaking mountains and deep valleys form Alpine France which borders Switzerland and Italy. The paradiscal city of Gap is one of the most significant cities in the Southern Alps. Rich in color, bathed in mountain tradition, Gap is ideal if you want to truly experience French society.

The University of Studies and Leisures of the Alps of South (UELAS), in Gap, is a school that offers intensive French foreign language courses for adults. UELAS accomodates people from all over the world who wish to learn or improve their French in short, intensive classes at such a quality school.

If you are 18 and over, and wish to improve your French quickly and efficiently with a dynamic and experienced staff, this friendly school is worth considering. The school offers numerous touristic, cultural, and sporting activities supervised by specialists and their teaching team. At UELAS, they make sure your stay in Gap and at their school will be an enriching experience you will never forget.

Côte d’Azur Southern France

The Côte d’Azur, or French Riviera, boasts a combination of tropical Mediterranian weather, sparkling blue seas, and countless activites making this area one of the most magnetic in the world. The ELFCA institute, in Hyères, on the Mediterranean coast, offers excellent French language courses. Hyères has a heart and a history dating back to the XII century, of which the old town bears witness, with its picturesque winding streets, small shops, and traditional markets.

For a long or short stay, they offer the unique possibility of learning in a group of mature international students (from college age to seniors), and exchanging experiences in an unstressed atmosphere. To make it a true immersion, students are given the option of sharing the life of a French family by boarding with them to discover the French culture from the inside.

Montpelier

Renowned for its dynamism and for its university faculties (including the first Faculty of Medicine in the western world) Montpellier, the capital of Languedoc-Roussillon, is one of the leading university towns in France and one of southern Europe’s main business centers. It is a very pleasant area in which to live, thanks to its beautiful sorroundings, its wealth of activities for students, and its rich culture. I.L.A. is a well-regarded French immersion school in Montpellier, where they are committed to providing you with high quality teaching and services.

Not only do they provide efficient, effective training in a friendly atmosphere, but they will also be there to advise and guide you throughout your stay. A wide range of courses is offered for all levels from beginners to advanced taught by fully qualified teachers. Accommodation is arranged with carefully selected families or in student residences as well as apartments or hotels. The weekly changing activity program offers cultural visits and excursions such as: guided tours of the historic center, dinners in French restaurants with your teacher, and excursions to Avignon, Nîmes, Provence, and Camargue, etc.

French in Paris

cityscape of paris by the sunset

Mondes Nouveaux, founded in 1983, is a non-profit organization specializing in language homestays in France. Their teachers are dedicated specialists, and host families give students a warm welcome into their homes. Each student is individually and fully covered by a comprehensive insurance upon request. Mondes Nouveaux is an excellent choice for your French language immersion needs.

The Ecole Suisse Internationale is a non-profit organization specializing in teaching French as a foreign language and is recognized by the Paris Education Authority and the Swiss government. The institute is open to anyone over 16 who would like to improve their knowledge in the French language and its culture.
The school is represented in two different locations: in the heart of Paris and in Dijon, capital of the Burgundy region. Thanks to their small capacity, they have successfully developed a nice and friendly atmosphere. Their French program is adapted to the student’s level and each person can choose the best formula compare to his/her objectives whether you choose part-time or full-time programs, exam preparation (Delf, Dalf, CCIP, TCF, etc.), private lessons, or summer teacher training programs.

Les Cèdres is a French language school in the small, friendly town of Massy, in the leafy southern suburbs of Paris, just 30 minutes by train from the Notre-Dame cathedral. Not only are class sizes small (an average of eight or nine per class), but there is also a system of personal help, and excellent relationships with the local community (clubs, societies, churches, language helpers). Courses are offered at five levels; with study periods ranging from the three-week summer school in July to a programme of up to two years (minimum period, six weeks) during the school year (September to June). On-campus child care is available, as well as on- or off-campus accommodation. Many students choose the school for its Christian leaning (short daily chapel service), but others are attracted by the friendly atmosphere.

June 2009

All Abroad

June 2009 Cover
June 2009 Cover

During these difficult economic times, the idea of the government spending $800 million to help Americans study abroad may seem unrealistic. However, the benefits of a million Americans traveling abroad every year far outweigh the cost which, when compared to the bailouts, seems like a bargain.

Last month, the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act was introduced by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman (D-Calif.) as part of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act (H.R. 2410). While the authorization bill’s primary purpose is to authorize funding for the operations of the U.S. Department of State, it also includes innovative programs like the Simon legislation that are critical to accomplishing U.S. foreign policy and public diplomacy goals.

Continued…

Cross Cultural Solutions

Cross Cultural Solutions, Well-polished tourist destinations are great but if you have ever thought about a new kind of vacation experience, it may be time for you to try volunteering abroad. Unlike a typical vacation, an organized volunteer travel program allows you to donate a portion of your day to a local community while you vacation. Volunteer organizations tend to operate in local communities with greater need for services – communities off the beaten path. Spending time in a local community with a group of fellow volunteers is a far cry from a typical tourist vacation and can be a real eye-opener. Working closely with local people gives you a much richer and unique insight into a culture that you would not have otherwise experienced. Many people who volunteer abroad are amazed at the depth of their cultural exchange experience. For some, it is life-changing. “I spent 4 weeks working in a classroom of five-year-olds within an orphanage. It was the most amazing experience of my entire life. Because of that trip I came to realize how big the world is — how enriching it is to live among different cultures. Today, over a month after I returned, I think of my experiences, and especially the people I met there, constantly. I am a more aware, open person, and I have found not only things within myself, but my life calling and aspiration.” Sarah, Cross-Cultural Solutions volunteer Headquartered in New Rochelle, NY, Cross-Cultural Solutions is a leading organization in the field of international volunteering. CCS has an infrastructure that supports approximately 4,000 international volunteers each year and over 250 sustainable community initiatives. More than 250 CCS in-country staff work year-round, ensuring that volunteers are involved in projects that contribute directly to the goals of each community. The CCS experience includes cultural and learning activities giving volunteers the opportunity to learn about the local culture. There is an in-depth orientation, language training, guest speakers and more. It’s not all work and no play. After volunteer work in the mornings and over the weekend, there is plenty of free time to relax, reflect, or explore the community. To contact CCS, visit their website at www.crossculturalsolutions.org, email [email protected]

May 2009

Re-Tooling for the Information Age

Language Magazine May 2009 Cover
Language Magazine May 2009 Cover

One of the few benefits of recession is that it begs us to question the policies that have led us to such a situation. Much has been said about economic decisions, lax regulation, and corporate greed but there has been less discussion about the societal structure which has fomented such economic turmoil. At the heart of our society is a sytem which fails to adequately prepare vast numbers of children to succeed in the Information Age.

A new study by the consulting firm McKinsey entitled “The Economic Impact of the Achievement Gap in America’s Schools” (available at www.mckinsey.com) estimates that if we had closed the racial achievement gap and black and Latino student performance had caught up with that of white students by 1998, U.S. GDP last year would have been between $310 and $525 billion higher. If the gap between low-income students and the rest had been narrowed, U.S. GDP in 2008 would have been $400 to $670 billion higher.

Matt Miller, one of the report’s authors, points out in stark terms that there are millions of kids in modern, suburban schools “who are being prepared for $12-an-hour jobs — not $40 to $50 an hour.” If this is the situation in the suburbs, imagine the future for which kids are being prepard in urban areas where minorities dominate.

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