In February, seventeen international teachers in “American Language: Connecting English Teachers to U.S. History and Culture,” a program organized by the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, concluded their experience with culminating activities at Arcadia led by Dr. Ellen Skilton-Sylvester, professor in the School of Education.

The three-week exchange aimed to give the teachers a better understanding of American culture and history, highlighting differences in English across the United States and providing the opportunity for the group to interact with K-12 teachers, students, and education policy makers.

Citizen Diplomacy International of Philadelphia, which partners with the Department of State for the program, requested that Arcadia host the group of teachers at the end of their program due to the reputation of the University’s Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages certification program.

After spending the morning at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, the group returned to Arcadia to reflect on their experience, share goals, and brainstorm student-centered teaching techniques that could be implemented in their classrooms.