Chapter 3Broadening

Teaching Perspectives:

Teacher Exchange Programs

To become a global teacher,

we need to broaden our

teaching perspectives.

Global Competitiven

ess

Expanding experiences beyond the confines of classroom to the wider learning environment of the world

TEACHER EXCHANG

E PROGRAM

S

1. VISITING INTERNATIONALFACULTY PROGRAM (VIF)

>United States’ largest cultural exchange program for teachers and schools

VIF is dedicated to transforming lives through international exchange of teachers. It offers highly qualifies teachers from around the world serving as teachers & cultural ambassadors in the US.

Teachers participate in the VIF program work in the US for up to

3 years.

VIF Purposes & Beliefs

>to ensure that students, educators & communities reap

the benefits of international

education

Principles:All schools should have at least one

(1) international

exchange teacher

Principles:All students should be

exposed to a variety of exchange teachers

during their academic careers

Principles:All communities should have equal

opportunity to develop globally

literate citizens to help build a

foundation of success in the global market

place

VIF History>founded in 1987, began accepting

teachers from other countries to teach K-

12 in 1989

The project is in cooperation with the

North Carolina Department of Public

Instruction

International teachers are coming from more than 50 countries

of the world.

2. FULBRIGHT TEACHER EXCHANGE PROGRAM

>helped nearly 23,000 teachers & school administrators to promote mutual understanding between US & other countries of the world

Opportunity involves a year or semester of

direct exchange with a counterpart in another country teaching the same subject at the

same level.

30 countries including the Philippines currently

participate in the Fulbright Teacher Exchange

Program. In the PH, it is managed by the

Philippine-American Educational Foundation.

3. INTER-AFRICAN TEACHER EXCHANGES

>objectives: a. to provide opportunity for African teachers to learn from teaching environment in other African countries

b. extend experiences and widen the horizon of African teachers by encouraging exchange visits to countries outside Africa as well

Start-up year

• African teachers exchange visits within a school or schools in other African country

A period of 2

weeks

• Travel to neighboring countries to work

In pairs

• Engage in different activities

Be stationed at 1 school for 1 week & another school for 1 week

Observe teaching in the said teacher’s subject

Guest teach using ICTs at the schools that the teacher is visiting

Exchange discussions

Write a journal

4. CANADIAN EDUCATORS EXCHANGE

>non-profit foundation which handles both student & educator exchanges

One Year Exchanges

• Enable teachers to swap their job (and homes) in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, UK, US, Germany, etc.

• Teacher continues to be paid by his or her school board in Alberta

Short-term Exchanges

• Occur during the spring or summer holidays, enable the teachers & administrators to job shadow with the counterpart in another country

Aims:Change the lives of UK educators

Ensure benefits for

staff & pupils of UK schools & their local communitiesSupport the aims

& activities of Link’s

educational programs in S. Africa, Ghana &

Uganda

Set a standard & develop a

model

Learning Outcomes:Increased knowledge of people & life in developing countriesBetter understanding of

how UK is linked with other countriesMore positive attitudes towards people & life in developing countries

More positive attitudes towards multicultural nature of UK

Description of Global Teacher:

Thinks & acts both locally & globally

Embraces the world’s rich variety ways of lifeUnderstands how this world is interconnected

Committed to making the world a more equitable place

Believes in education for sustainable development

Description of Global Teacher:

Has professional & personal skills to learn

Brings the world into their classroom, school & community

Encourages dialogue & partnership between the North & the South

Can inspire other to act as Global teachers

“As a result of participating in the

scheme, I have developed my ability to

mentor, students & staff & have developed

a more consultative leadership style in my

school.”

“The best thing I have ever done. I have comeback a

different person-more tolerant, more

understanding, more sensitive to the needs of

others. The impact of this Award will stay with me

forever.”