26-March-2019 / Tuesday / 15:00 - 15:20

LOCATION : P06

ABSTRACT:
The Office of International Programs within the University of Illinois’ College of Education currently has study abroad partnerships with Australia, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Finland, France, Greece, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Macau, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, and Tanzania. The research team--comprised of the Director of International Programs and graduate research assistants--has divided the participant population: (Group 1) Student teachers from the College of Education’s study abroad programs. These students met teachers from the target culture, observed classrooms, assisted with teaching, and led a class. (Group 2) Teachers and staff abroad from the target cultures visited by the study abroad participants. They shared their teaching styles and cultures and were interviewed by at least one researcher in person. Questionnaires were divided into Classroom Space Management, Curriculum, Diversity and Cultural Issues, Evaluation of Teachers, Hiring Practices, Immigration, Interactive Resources, Language Instruction, Language Use, Law and Policy, Parental Involvement, Political Context, Religion, Security, Special Education, Teacher and Administrative Practices, Teacher Training, and Time Schedule. Research has been completed in Costa Rica and Spain. Research in China, Ecuador, Hong Kong, Macau, and Singapore will take place in December of 2018.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Student teachers within the University of Illinois' College of Education will...

1. work directly with foreign students and teachers
2. engage with local communities
3. begin to develop a global network and long-term global competency
4. complete a six-week study abroad course prior to the trip departure that addresses global citizenship, the sociology of education, comparative education, the global ranking system, and language policies within each target region Key Words: Preservice teacher; student teacher; transformative learning; educational anthropology; teacher effectiveness; comparative education; overseas employment; cultural awareness; teach abroad; study abroad; English language learning; second language learning; teacher training; cross-cultural engagement

AUTHORS:

Ms Constance Hackler 
Graduate Research Assistant,
College of Education,
University of Illinois,
USA

I am a MA candidate.

Ms Rachel Davies 
Graduate Research Assistant,
College of Education,
University of Illinois,
USA

Rachel is an EdD candidate.